Four days, five schools, and countless ‘aha!’ moments. From digital forensics to ethical hacking, the CyberFirst Advanced Summer School at Lancaster University lit up young minds and launched future cyber defenders. 100% of students said they felt welcomed during their stay – and every one of them wants to come back for more cyber events.

From August 26th to 29th, Lancaster University buzzed with energy as 16 brilliant students from from Winstanley College, Lancaster Girls’ Grammar, Tauheedul Girls’ School, Tauheedul Boys’ School, and Blackpool Sixth Form College dived into the CyberFirst Advanced Summer School. Over four action-packed days, they explored everything from digital forensics to ethical hacking – and left inspired to become the next generation of cyber defenders.

Delivered through the innovative Hub & Spoke model – with QinetiQ at the hub and Lancaster, Greenwich, and UWE as spokes – the programme brought together expert-led sessions, hands-on challenges, and plenty of cyber curiosity.

Day 1: Settling In and Diving Into Digital Forensics

We kicked things off with a warm Lancaster welcome, starting with a talk from our recruitment team about life and opportunities at Lancaster. Students then dived into their first day: Digital Forensics and the TryHackMe platform – which quickly became a firm favourite. As one student put it, the platforms were “easy to understand and allowed me to work at my own pace.”

It was inspiring to see students throw themselves into real-world cyber scenarios, asking sharp, thoughtful questions and showing the curiosity of future cyber professionals.

After lunch, the group toured our accommodation facilities – not just to see the rooms, but to picture themselves as Lancaster students. The day closed with reflections and plenty of excitement for what was to come.

Day Two: Cracking Codes and Unlocking Opportunities

Day two started with another energising quiz before diving into encryption. The students tackled complex concepts with enthusiasm.

Day two kicked off with an energising warm up quiz that got everyone’s brains buzzing. But the real excitement began when we dove into the world of encryption. During our host activity, guided by Professor Dan Fretwell, students explored the fascinating art of codebreaking, uncovering how cryptography has shaped history and continues to drive modern technology. Through hands-on decoding exercises, participants experienced first-hand the intellectual challenges faced by both historical codebreakers and today’s cybersecurity professionals.

Adding to the inspiration, we welcomed an external speaker who introduced the students to CyberFirst opportunities and diverse career pathways in cybersecurity. The room buzzed with questions, reflecting the excitement and ambition sparked by these insights.

It was a day of discovery, challenge, and inspiration – proving that the world of encryption is not just for the classroom, but for anyone eager to solve puzzles and shape the future of technology.

Day Three: Digging into Data and OSINT Adventures

Wednesday focused on OSINT – Open Source Intelligence. Students learned how to gather and analyse publicly available information, quickly spotting patterns and thinking critically about sources. They tackled real-world scenarios, discovering how everyday data can reveal important insights.

In the afternoon, students explored Lancaster’s cutting-edge Data Immersion Suite. For many, this was a highlight of the week – an interactive space where data truly came to life. One student said they “enjoyed understanding a futuristic and engaging way of learning.”

Career Bytes workshops continued to inspire, with students discussing future careers and the skills needed to succeed. It was a day of discovery, innovation, and insight – showing how curiosity and data can open doors to the future.

Final Day: Stepping into the World of Pen Testing

The week wrapped up with a deep dive into Pen Testing. Students stepped into the shoes of ethical hackers, learning how to test and secure systems. Their confidence had grown significantly since day one, and they approached each challenge with focus and determination.

To cap off the week, Claire Hardaker led the “Bot or Not” challenge – an interactive session where students had to guess whether content was human- or bot-generated. Clever, hands-on, and full of surprises, it was the perfect finale to a week of learning, exploration, and discovery.

Looking Back: A Week to Remember

Each day ended with reflections, and it was clear that students were taking away much more than technical knowledge – they were also building a sense of community, purpose, and curiosity. Their feedback will help us continue improving future sessions, ensuring every experience is even more inspiring.

For us at Lancaster University, it was a privilege to host such a talented group. The CyberFirst Advanced Summer School wasn’t just about learning – it was about lighting a spark. Judging by the energy and enthusiasm we witnessed, that spark is burning brightly. Every single student told us they felt welcomed and supported, and 100% said they’d be keen to return for future cyber events at Lancaster.

A Special Thank You to Our Support Team

Alongside the core administrative team, we were fortunate to have outstanding support from our teaching assistants and PhD students, Lewis Newsham and Ryan Hyland. Their patience, knowledge, and encouragement did not go unnoticed.

As one student shared: “Super lovely and friendly, constantly keen to help even when I am struggling to understand something and will persist until I understand it.” Another added: “They were all beyond helpful, understanding, calm and knowledgeable.”

Their contributions played a huge role in making the week such a success.

Conclusion

• This summer school is more than just a learning experience — it’s a launchpad for tomorrow’s cyber heroes.
• Students leave Lancaster armed with skills, curiosity, and confidence to tackle the challenges ahead.
• Who knows? The next generation of cyber defenders might just be among these incredible students!

Related Blogs

• 

  CyberFirst at Lancaster University: Inspiring the Next Generation of Cyber Talent

• 

  Connecting Regions and Inspiring Futures: A Day in Cheltenham with the CyberFirst Community

• 

  Hacking the Mind: Cyber Effects and Information Confrontation – Lecture by Paul Withers

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.