Abacws hosts CyberFirst event aimed at encouraging girls into cyber security

The event involved talks from industry partners and current students

More than 100 students from nine schools across south Wales came to Abacws for the CyberFirst Wales Girls event, hosted by the School of Computer Science and Informatics.

CyberFirst Wales is a programme created by the National Centre for Cyber Security (NCSC) to promote cyber security careers and learning paths for young people aged 11-17.

Cardiff University has been recognised by the NCSC as the first Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research in Wales, and supports CyberFirst Wales events throughout the academic year.

The purpose of the CyberFirst Wales Girls event is to specifically encourage girls to pursue a career in cyber security.

This year’s event was sponsored by Thales, Pure Cyber and Bridewell, and the programme for the day included industry events and talks from these companies as well as Kyndryl, Kocho, Itsus, the IPO, Airbus, Wales & West Utilities, the ONS, and PwC.

The day then culminated in a Capture the Flag competition organised by Bridewell.

Elaine Haigh, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security, said: “We were thrilled to be able to host the CyberFirst Wales Girls Event for south east Wales here at Abacws, and it was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic Year 10 girls with such an interest in cyber security. This was a great way for Year 10 girls from different schools in the area to experience a number of informative and interactive sessions with CyberFirst industry partners in a safe environment.

“As an ACE-CSE, we are committed to supporting Cyber Security education in Wales, especially in relation to closing the gender gap in STEM subjects. We were thrilled that one of our inspiring and successful MSc students, Marwa Omar, was able to join the panel discussion and to share her journey. And we are very proud to work with CyberFirst Wales, who have been incredibly successful through hard work and a determination to make a difference.

“I heard one student excitedly whisper 'it's just got real' as they headed into our large capacity computer lab to take part in the Bridewell Capture the Flag, and we hope that this opportunity gave them a positive and authentic taste of the university experience which will inform their next steps.”