Lancaster University selected to deliver inspiring cyber skills courses to schoolchildren

By Tim Aldred

28 Jun 2023

Professor Daniel Prince of Lancaster University

Lancaster University has been chosen to deliver a new government CyberFirst course, designed to encourage schoolchildren to consider careers in computer science and cyber security.

CyberFirst Adventurers courses are free, half-day events which feature games involving coding, data and engineering.

They have been developed as the government estimates a skills gap of around 14,000 in the UK cyber security sector – roles that are critical to ensure the future security and resilience of UK businesses, organisations and the wider society and economy.

Lancaster University’s strong track-record across teaching, research and engagement places it among world-leaders in cyber security. It is one of only a handful of universities whose education, research and training is recognised by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ.

Lancaster University will run the CyberFirst Adventurers course in July with the aim of eventually delivering the wider range of CyberFirst courses to schools across the North West on a regular basis.

Daniel Prince, professor in cyber security at Lancaster University, said: “We are delighted to be joining the CyberFirst family. These programmes of activities are focused on young people who are yet to make their GCSE choices and will give them fun, invaluable and inspiring insights into some of the exciting, interesting an rapidly-growing opportunities there are in sectors like cyber security for people with computer science skills.”

Through the CyberFirst programme Lancaster University experts will reach out to schools and colleges to raise awareness and aspirations of students and parents around cyber security careers, supporting the North West Cyber Corridor to grow and prosper.

The programme will see schools across the North West gain greater access to cyber security knowledge and materials. The university aims to deliver activities that will see school pupils visit Lancaster’s campus where many will get to experience the aspirational setting of a leading university for the first time, as well as engaging them in exciting and thought-provoking cyber and computer science activities.

Working with the NCSC to deliver CyberFirst activities builds on Lancaster University’s position as a leader in the cyber education and research field. Lancaster University have already started to boost the skills and talent pipeline in the region by building on its NCSC certified Masters degree with a new undergraduate degree in cyber security.

The University is investing significantly investment into new cutting-edge teaching facilities to support these new three and four-year degree programmes. This comes as part of a recently announced once-in-a-generation £19m investment into Security and Protection Science – an initiative that will also see Lancaster recruit 33 new cross-disciplinary academics, plus 15 professor in practice roles as well as 10 support staff.

Professor Simon Guy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global at Lancaster University, said: “The CyberFirst Adventurers course is a vital step in building the skills and mindset young people will require to safely and securely navigate the challenges presented by cyber security, in both their personal and future professional lives. Lancaster University is proud to be contributing to the development of a cyber education in the North West working with the NCSC.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin