The Falcons were at the CyberFirst South West Conference. The conference was mostly targeted towards schools and colleges to show them the benefits of becoming a CyberFirst school, we were there to show our support for CyberFirst's mission by providing ambassidors and to inform the schools and industry about the card games devleoped by Ian
The event commenced with a comprehensive presentation from CyberFirst, illustrating the substantial impact the initiative has had on educational institutions. Currently, there are more than 29 CyberFirst-recognized schools and colleges located in the South West of England. The presenters provided an in-depth analysis that underscored the program's benefits for both male and female students.
Notably, in 2023, a total of 1,340 girls participated in the girls' competition, with 39 bursaries awarded specifically to female candidates. Additionally, among the 100 participants at the CyberFirst summer school, 49% were female. The presenters highlighted a remarkable 43% increase in female students opting to study computer science at KS4, alongside a 32% increase in females at KS5. Furthermore, it was reported that 70% of schools participated in the Girls' competition, with many institutions entering multiple teams.
As the presentation continued, we were told that in the South West region alone, CyberFirst industry volunteers contributed an impressive 2,200 hours of service, which translates to a social impact valued at £7.3 million over the course of 12 months. This investment reflects a remarkable return of £5.70 for each £1 spent.
Following the talk from CyberFirst, Sanjeeva took the stage to deliver his presentation on Cyber Days. He elaborated on how Cyber Days facilitate meaningful engagement between industry professionals and students through a series of interactive tasks and challenges, providing participants with a valuable glimpse into the industry. He talked about how if you're struggling to get girls into computer science then have a group of girls only to help them build confidence and attract other girls. Additionally, Sanjeeva discussed strategies for integrating the Gatsby Benchmark into the framework of Cyber Days, ensuring alignment with best practices in career guidance.
Next, we heard from a representative of Clifton High School. In his presentation, he highlighted the school's technological evolution beginning in 2018, when a variety of platforms were being utilized alongside a limited number of devices to support teaching staff in the classroom. In 2019, the school introduced Google Classroom, and subsequently, in 2020, they implemented a one-to-one device program for senior students. In 2022, Clifton High School transitioned to Microsoft’s Showcase School Program, which provided a foundation for educating students about artificial intelligence. This initiative has continued to expand, culminating in the school receiving accolades for their innovative approach to AI education. Looking ahead, they are committed to further developing their AI education program, with a focus on data development and transformation in this rapidly evolving field.
After Clifton High School we heard from Kaeren Coverdale from Ribston Hall High School discussed the school’s strategic partnership with various industries, which commenced with the identification of industry partners through participation in CyberFirst events, the STEM ambassador program, collaboration with local universities, engagement with the CyberFirst outreach team, and more.
She highlighted the numerous advantages for educational institutions, which include access to equipment that would otherwise be financially unfeasible, fulfillment of the Gatsby Benchmarks for career encounters, the inspiration for students to pursue relevant educational pathways, the presence of subject matter experts in the classroom, the dissemination of current industry knowledge, and the provision of role models for students.
Regarding the benefits for the industry, she noted that such partnerships foster the development of a talent pipeline, yield higher social value compared to alternative methods, enhance employees' soft skills, promote the company to potential future applicants, create mentoring opportunities, and increase awareness of diverse pathways into the industry.
Next, we welcomed a representative from UTC Berkeley Green, who provided an overview of the institution's impressive enrollment figures, boasting 360 students aged 14 to 19, with 83% pursuing courses in cyber security or computer science. The college has achieved significant milestones, including the development of a robot and recognition at the Innovate & Think awards, culminating in participation at the FTC Nationals held at Cambridge University. Additionally, they have successfully created a digital health application focused on endometriosis, among other innovative projects.
After UTC Berkeley Green we had presentation by Elaine Brown, the founder of Unlock Cyber, which focused on school engagement initiatives. Elaine shared her insights and experiences in reaching out to educational institutions, emphasizing the importance of the industry's efforts to better accommodate Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) schools.
She highlighted her partnerships with SEND schools and industry stakeholders in organizing activity fairs specifically designed for these institutions such as using structures that students and teachers are used to, and utilizing familiar symbols and language when engaging with the students.
During our lunch break, we engaged in networking with fellow educators and cybersecurity professionals. Following the break, we attended a panel discussion where Elaine Brown, Jaime Williamson and Rupa Suresh told their stories of how they gtot into the industry and answered questions regarding job applications and pathways into the cybersecurity industry.
After the panel we had a presentation by Raurie Allen and focused on iO Academy, aimed at informing educators about alternative pathways for their students beyond traditional university education. iO Academy offers engaging and interactive technology workshops that serve as an alternative gateway into the cybersecurity industry.
The next presentation was delivered by James D, the South West Cyber Prevent Prepare Protect Officer for the South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit. He addressed the topic of Cyber Choices, a program designed to empower individuals to make informed decisions and utilize their cyber skills within legal frameworks. James highlighted the initiative's efforts to engage at-risk students who may possess an interest in cybersecurity but are currently applying their skills in unlawful ways. The program aims to effectively guide these individuals towards a legitimate and productive use of their talents.
After the SWRCCU presentation we had a presentation delivered by Diana Hawkins from QINETIQ, who discussed the challenges of engaging students in experiential opportunities due to the company’s involvement with military R&D contracts. She highlighted their innovative approach to piquing student interest through the utilization of less classified activities such as sending messages via satellite.
Up next was a presentation by Andy Yam from 4Fox Security. He discussed the establishment of TechBuddies during the COVID-19 pandemic, an initiative designed to facilitate the acquisition of laptops for students to enable remote learning. Additionally, Andy shared his efforts in visiting schools to conduct career talks, run awareness sessions, and provide tailored support. He encouraged schools to reach out to 4Fox Security to communicate their specific needs and explore available resources.
After 4Fox Security we had a presentation delivered by Rupa Suresh from Microsoft, where she elaborated on the development of the CyberFirst Ecosystem, an initiative spearheaded by James Duncan. Since its inception in 2017, Microsoft has launched its internship program, which began with two interns. The expansion of the CyberFirst Ecosystem commenced in 2020, under James's leadership, with the introduction of Security Advisor Placement roles. Additionally, Sian established Business Development placement roles, contributing to a strategic initiative that resulted in the intern count doubling to four by the end of 2021.
Since that time, Microsoft has continued to broaden its placement offerings, aligning its CyberFirst Ambassadors internally to promote further opportunities and facilitate entry into the cybersecurity industry. This development has included the launch of the Microsoft Security Volunteer Hub. Rupa also highlighted that the KC7 resource is an excellent starting point for those seeking an introduction to threat intelligence.
After Rupa Suresh's presentation was a presentation delivered by our very own Ian Caple from the UWE CTF Falcons. In his discussion, Ian outlined his development of card and board games designed to enhance awareness of the cybersecurity sector among college students and industry professionals alike. These games also serve to familiarize players with common terminology in cybersecurity. Notable examples include "Red vs. Blue", an incident response game that fosters cyber awareness in participants and aligns with the AQA curriculum as well as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0. Another game, "Cyber Wars", exposes players to the global threat landscape while enhancing their critical and strategic thinking skills. Additionally, "Crypto Warriors" focuses on cryptography, introducing participants to various cryptographic methods and the associated vulnerabilities.
The final presentation of the day was conducted by Iain Major and Joe Sharp. Iain Major, a lecturer under the mentorship of Joe Sharp, outlined their collaborative efforts to develop an action plan aimed at enhancing student engagement. Their approach incorporates insights from both industry professionals and educators to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges each group encounters, as well as the resources they require. The presenters emphasized the ongoing challenge of ensuring adequate support, noting that educators are often occupied with teaching responsibilities while industry professionals are engaged in active project work.
At the end of the event CyberFirst awards were given out for the schools.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event. Your hard work and dedication were instrumental in making this occasion possible. Additionally, we would like to express our appreciation to Chris Hotchin for inviting the UWE CTF Falcons to present. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next event!
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