NCSC Annual Review 2022

The in-person finals – having gone online during the Covid pandemic – were supported by organisations from industry and academia, whose partnerships with the NCSC are becoming increasingly important in strengthening the UK’s thriving cyber security ecosystem and developing the next generation of cyber security experts. 50,000 girls have now taken part in the competition since 2017.

Some of those early finalists are now working in GCHQ or receiving financial support through the CyberFirst Bursary scheme while studying at university.

While CyberFirst is open to all young people, the emphasis on a girl's competition is aimed at bolstering female representation in the cyber security sector, which accounts for just 16% of the workforce.

Image: Map of schools participating in CyberFirst Girls Competition. Winning teams marked by a red dot.

The CyberFirst Schools & Colleges scheme, which recognises academic centres for excellence in cyber security education, saw eight more establishments join the fold this year. The schools and colleges received CyberFirst status for delivering first-rate technology and cyber security teaching in and out of the classroom.

Since the initiative launched in 2020, 57 CyberFirst Schools and Colleges have been recognised for their excellence in developing cyber skills ecosystems around the country and addressing the industry’s cyber skills gap.

Like other holders of this status, the new schools will benefit from opportunities to engage with local and national businesses and universities who have offered their time, expertise and resources. They can also be expected to be a focal point for other CyberFirst activities and provided with an opportunity to be a part of CISSE UK.

In February, a new Cyberfirst-related learning platform was launched by DCMS to help teach 11-14 year olds essential digital skills to improve their online security as well as encouraging careers in the sector. The Cyber Explorers teaching resources – part of the CyberFirst family of schemes - were brought together in an interactive cyber security learning platform being rolled out across UK secondary schools this year.

After being launched in 2021 the NCSC’s CyberSprinters video game for 7-11 year olds was updated this year with new stories and features. The game, which introduces players to cyber security, is supported by a suite of resources for teachers but can be played without supervision.