CyberFirst Girls Competition 2019

Registration for the 2019 CyberFirst Girls Competition is now open, as GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) looks to crown the next female code-breaking champions.

Currently, women make up only 11% of the global cyber workforce. However, the NCSC are committed to developing a talent pipeline to nurture the next generation of skilled cyber security professionals. They hope their exciting national competition will spark a lifelong interest in the girls, that could be turned into a fulfilling career in cyber security. It is an opportunity for the girls to gain cyber skills, solve problems, work as a team and have fun with friends.

• Registration is now open at the Cyber First Girls Competition website. It is completely free to sign up and take part.
• Teachers, of any subject, can enter a team (of up to 4) girls. A school can enter as many teams as they wish.
• No specialist IT skills are needed.
• It is really easy to register a team, following some simple steps available at the above address, under ‘Getting Started.’
• The competition begins with a week-long online round on Monday 21 January 2019, during which the teams attempt to complete a series of challenges.
• Registration closes on Monday 28 January 2019, so schools can enter teams during the online round (albeit with less time to then complete the challenges).
• The top ten teams will compete in a face-to-face Grand Final in Edinburgh on 24 to 25 March. In addition to the challenges, the finalists get to enjoy a series of fun activities. Winners will receive £1,000 toward school computing equipment as well as individual prizes.

The UK faces a cyber threat that is large, growing and diverse and at the NCSC we are committed to nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals from across the UK to meet these challenges. Through CyberFirst, we also want to help young people develop skills that lead to dynamic and rewarding careers. I really hope the girls in your school are excited by this competition and that it leads to an interest in this vital subject.