Sunday People

Girls crack spying job

- By Nigel Nelson POLITICAL EDITOR

SPOOKS are recruiting schoolgirl­s to become codebreake­rs.

Spy chiefs at the National Cyber Security Centre, a branch of GCHQ, want more women applicants because only 11 per cent of the workforce is female.

They have arranged a code-cracking contest for teams of girls aged 12-13.

A source said: “This is designed to nurture the next generation of cyber skilled profession­als.”

Digital minister Margot James added: “We want to show girls across the country that cyber security is exciting, rewarding and challengin­g.”

The Cyberfirst Girls competitio­n is in its third year and 12,500 applicants have taken part.

 ??  ?? MINISTER: Margot James
MINISTER: Margot James

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