Lancaster University selected to deliver inspiring cyber skills courses to schoolchildren

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.”