NCA Cyber Choices

What every school should know about cybercrime

The latest statistics published by the Department for Education in July 2022 found that in the 12 months prior, 41% of primary schools and 70% of secondary schools had identified attacks or breaches.

Even more worrying are the findings that suggest some of this threat is coming from within 14% of secondary schools and 1% of primary schools, that reported unauthorised accessing of files or networks by students.

Ahead of the launch of the Cyber Choices Challenge 2023, tes magazine features the National Crime Agency’s National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) in ‘What every school should know about cybercrime‘.

Lesson plan: NCA Cyber Choices

Ready to introduce the Computer Misuse Act 1990 in your classroom?

Use this readymade lesson plan developed in partnership with the NCA and Computing at School network, and designed to engage students in understanding the definitions of cybercrime and its effects.

What is CyberLand?

CyberLand is a series of 16 fun, interactive online games that help teachers and after school club leaders introduce key concepts in cyber security. The perfect Friday afternoon or end of term activity – or a rewarding break in an IT lesson – CyberLand is suitable for all ages and levels of technical ability.

By working their way through CyberLand’s immersive activities, physical games and practical challenges, students will:

• Learn about key cyber concepts such as the use of firewalls, public wifi and phishing emails
• Understand how to stay safe online
• Discover some of the key roles in the cyber security industry and how different individuals work together to protect our systems from attack
• Strengthen the skills they’ll need for a career in tech or information security

Learning in lockdown

“The game gave us a further insight into cyber security than any other cyber security course I have ever done. It felt more relevant to the real world than the stuff we are normally taught.” Katie, CyberLand Challenge winner

The National Crime Agency (NCA) partnered with Cyber Security Challenge UK earlier this year to launch the CyberLand game, designed to nurture young cyber talent and reduce the global skills shortage. Tens of thousands of players nationally logged on to test and improve their cyber security knowledge, representing the most diverse pool of talent engaged to date.

CyberLand and the CyberLand Challenge formed part of the NCA’s Cyber Choices programme – an ongoing effort to guide young people towards positive pathways while staying on the right side of the law