Quest by GCHQ for more girl code crackers
GCHQ IS on a mission to find the next generation of female codebreakers in an attempt to slim down the security industry’s gender divide.
As part of the drive, schools across Yorkshire are being urged to sign up for a flagship cyber-security competition that aims to boost female interest in the sector.
The contest, first launched by the intelligence and security operation two years ago, has participants competing to decipher more than 100 online puzzles and challenges on topics ranging from logic and cryptography to network and online safety.
Chris Ensor, the National Cyber-Security Centre’s deputy director for skills and growth, said: “There have been record highs in the number of registrations and there are now over 500 schools registered UK-wide, with around 92 in northern England.
“It’s fantastic to see so many young girls engaging with the cryptic challenges we’ve set and I’m encouraged to see the large spread of schools from all corners of the UK taking part.
“There is still time for schools to get involved and I strongly urge those who haven’t registered to head to the CyberFirst website and give themselves the chance to be crowned a local winner – and even take the ultimate prize.”
Teams that successfully navigate the online round will qualify for the final – held in Leeds and Scarborough – next month.
The champions will then move on to the Grand Final in Wales in March, where they will face seven other regions and countries, to be crowned national champions.
Mr Ensor added: “We launched the competition in 2017 to develop the next generation of cyber security professionals and encourage more women to consider a future career in the industry.”
He added: “It is already proving to be successful.
“Last year, for example, 12,000 pupils took part in the competition and 98 per cent of them said they would like to learn more about cyber-security.”
Schools have until tomorrow to register their interest in competing.