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DCMS launches Cyber Discovery, a new virtual cyber school

While schools across the country remain closed due to COVID-19, DCMS has launched an opportunity for young people to join a virtual cyber security school. The hope is that Cyber Discovery's Virtual School will inspire future generations to consider employment in cybersecurity while teaching students how to crack codes, fix security flaws and dissect digital trails.

The school will provide free weekly webinars run by experts in fields such as digital forensics, cryptography and operating systems.

Cyber Discovery's virtual school will be run alongside the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) CyberFirst summer courses which help more than one thousand 14-17 year olds develop important cyber skills. The National Crime Agency and Cyber Security Challenge UK will also this week announce teenagers can access their online cyber skills platform CyberLand for free during the coming months. In the game designed to teach teenagers the fundamentals of cyber security , players protect the virtual city ‘CyberLand' from cyber attacks while learning key skills.

Cyber Discovery provider SANS Chief Technology Officer James Lyne said:

"Cyber security is a fascinating field packed with opportunities for innovation and to make the online world more secure. It spans every part of society and has a huge role in our future security and technology prospects as a nation.

This is your chance to learn how to ‘forensicate' like a digital Sherlock Holmes, close down vulnerabilities before the hackers find them, and break codes.

Teachers, parents, students - get online and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity amidst the unique and challenging situation our country faces right now."

CyberFirst provider QA Chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield said:

"These initiatives from NCSC and DCMS are set to deliver a great summer of learning for young people across the UK. There is a shortage of digital skills in the UK and the CyberFirst programmes tackle this issue head on – and have the added benefit of keeping young minds active at this difficult time.

The road to the UK's economic recovery from this pandemic will be built on the skills we learn at this time. That's why it was critical that initiatives like CyberFirst were pivoted to virtual delivery, so they could go ahead as planned. We are proud to partner with the NCSC to deliver these fully virtual training programmes."

New virtual cyber school gives teens chance to try out as cyber security agents from home