UK Cyber Challenge Hunting For Security Skills In Schools

The Cabinet Office and the government-backed Cyber Security Challenge have launched a code-breaking competition in schools, as they continue their search for talented youngsters with security skills.

The Cyber Security Challenge was set up in 2010 in a bid to close the skills gap in the security industry and has now crowned three champions, handing out plenty of prizes to those with exemplary security skills.

But the Challenge wants to get children excited about security too, announcing a pilot tournament in which key stage 4 pupils will be asked to represent their schools in developing and cracking online codes. The top prize is worth £1000. QinetiQ, Sophos, Cassidian and Raytheon have all agreed to develop security skills resources for teachers to use in helping children get to grips with the tasks.