CyberFirst free summer courses for students aged 14-17 – now open for registration

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The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ, announced that its free CyberFirst courses are now open for registration to support the next generation of cyber security experts from across Northern Ireland.

Who are they for?

First launched in 2016, the range of courses give students, aged 14 to 17 in Northern Ireland, the opportunity to explore their passion for technology and computing through the world of cyber security. The three courses that guide pupils step by step through their understanding of the cyber security industry are: CyberFirst Defenders, CyberFirst Futures and finally CyberFirst Advanced. All courses are free and the majority are provided in ten, half day online sessions.

The courses

CyberFirst Defenders, which is open to students currently in Year 11, provides a valuable introduction to building and protecting small networks and personal devices. It equips students with a set of relevant practical skills that can be applied in our daily lives.

CyberFirst Futures is aimed at students in Year 12 and introduces them to the more advanced practical features of cyber security by developing their understanding of cyber-incidents, while exploring the reasoning and motivation of common attacks.

And finally, the CyberFirst Advanced course for students in Year 13 focuses on developing the skills and behaviours required for entry into the cyber or computing workplace.

Each course has been designed to offer students the support, skills, experience and exposure needed to be the future first line of defence in a CyberFirst world.

To find out more and to book a place please visit The Smallpeice Trust website(external link opens in a new window / tab) for further information.