Lancaster University hosted students for Lancashire Cyber Festival Education Week to help them learn about the pathways into cyber careers.

As part of the week, more than100 Lancashire college and sixth form students visited Lancaster University to experience first-hand what a high-tech career in Lancashire’s evolving cyber ecosystem could look like.

Organised by the Lancashire Cyber Partnership (LCP), Lancashire Cyber Festival Education Week brought together more than 10,000 young people from across the county to learn about Lancashire’s rapidly expanding cyber ecosystem and take part in activities that highlighted the value of cyber skills in a range of industry sectors including aerospace, manufacturing, and engineering.

Students met with Lancaster University staff and current students to explore study opportunities and heard from those currently working in cyber roles how interests in computing, mathematics, science, design, and creative subjects can translate into dynamic and rewarding cyber careers.

A range of hands-on activities gave students an insight into the skills needed to succeed in the evolving cyber sector.

HexVenture, an interactive business simulation game, brought cyber security to life as students stepped into the role of consultants tackling digital challenges inspired by real-world scenarios. Designed to develop problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurship skills, the game highlighted the variety of roles and people that make up the cyber industry.

CyberQuest, a campus-wide cyber scavenger hunt, saw teams race between stations to complete puzzles, quizzes, and escape room-style challenges. Each station introduced a different aspect of cyber security, from code-breaking and password cracking to spotting phishing attempts and digital forensics, giving students a hands-on experience of key concepts. Throughout the day, teams demonstrated strong collaboration and communication skills, sharing ideas and combining their strengths to successfully navigate each challenge.

Dr Sophie James, Lecturer in Security and Protection Science at Lancaster University, led the day of cyber activities.

She said: “It was incredibly rewarding to act as Academic Lead for the Lancashire Cyber Festival and welcome over 100 visiting students to campus. Designing the Cyber Quest challenge was a real highlight – a fully gamified, campus-wide experience where students solved location-based cyber and security tasks as they progressed.

“Seeing students collaborate, problem-solve, and connect digital risk concepts to real platform use really demonstrated how powerful interactive, interdisciplinary learning can be."

A student from Blackpool Sixth Form College said: “This was the best trip I’ve been on since Year 9! The whole day was so interactive and engaging. It was brilliant getting to talk to current students and exploring different parts of the campus while solving puzzles and challenges in the scavenger hunt made it even better. It was really fun to do something we wouldn’t normally get the chance to do.”

Other activities which took place during education week included an online ‘capture the flag’ competition open to all Lancashire college and university students, secondary school focused activities that brought cyber to life, and assemblies for Lancashire primary schools that taught pupils about emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

With Lancashire the new home of the National Cyber Force headquarters, and with the Lancashire Cyber Partnership supporting collaboration across schools, colleges, and universities, local opportunities for learners are growing. Education Week showed students of all ages how their interests in computing, mathematics, science, design, and creative subjects can lead to exciting roles in cyber and related industries.

Students attending the event at Lancaster University represented Blackpool Sixth Form College, Blackburn College, Blackpool and The Fylde College, Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS) and Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School (LGGS).

The week has been organised by the Lancashire Cyber Partnership (LCP), a public and private sector partnership that seeks to shape, support and promote the county’s world class cyber strengths and fast-growing cyber ecosystem.

Members of the LCP are Lancashire County Council (LCC); the University of Lancashire; Lancaster University; BAE Systems; and the National Cyber Force (NCF).

For more information about the cyber security courses at Lancaster University, visit: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/cyber-security-education/university-education/