As part of its commitment to support the UK’s national cyber strategy Lancaster University is collaborating with external partners to host and support cyber skills initiatives aimed at young people.

Following on from a strategic £19 million investment into Security and Protection Science, which builds on the University’s recognised position as a centre for Cyber Security expertise, research and training, in 2023 Lancaster University successfully applied to become a National Cyber Security Centre CyberFirst Member.

As part of this, Lancaster University welcomed young people from across the UK to take part in a leading cyber security summer school organised by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and supported by the university.

The University hosted a cohort of 46 17 and 18-year-olds, who had been selected by the NCSC, part of GCHQ, to take part in a five-day CyberFirst Advanced Summer Camp.

The course, delivered by cyber security experts, is aimed at aspiring young cyber security professionals studying a wide range of A-Levels and BTEC subjects and offers them opportunities to hone the skills and behaviours they will need to enter a wide range of potential cyber security careers.

The programme, a blend of technical tasks, lectures and inspirational speakers, included activities focused around the key cyber security areas of implementing digital forensics; understanding encryption technologies; using open source intelligence techniques; and penetration testing.

The event, held in August, made use of high-quality teaching spaces in Lancaster University’s Library and is one of the first delivered as part of Lancaster University’s commitment to being an NCSC recognised Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education.

Lancaster University, which has a strong track-record across teaching, research and engagement places it among world-leaders in cyber security and is one of only a handful of universities whose education, research and training is recognised at Gold Level by the NCSC. The University and the NCSC recently announced Lancaster will be hosting and running NCSC CyberFirst programmes as a regular offering to schools and young people across the North West.

Daniel Prince, Professor in Cyber Security at Lancaster University, said: “We are delighted to be working with the NCSC to host some of the UK’s finest aspiring young cyber security professionals. This week-long residential is a great opportunity for the young people involved and forms part of Lancaster University’s partnership with the NCSC in supporting the delivery of the Centre’s highly recognised CyberFirst courses.

“These programmes are great opportunities to provide talented and enthusiastic young people with fun, invaluable and inspiring insights into sectors like cyber security.”