The registration for the 2024 / 25 CyberFirst Girls Competition, run by GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre, has opened today and teachers are encouraged to sign up teams now.
The competition, in its ninth year, aims to introduce girls aged 12 and 13 from across the UK to cyber security, with the ultimate goal of increasing diversity in the industry’s UK workforce, where women currently make up just 17%.
Pupils will compete in teams of up to four where they will tackle different online challenges, covering topics from cracking codes and networking to artificial intelligence, designed to help them develop skills needed in cyber roles.
Last year’s contest saw the largest number of girls taking part since its inception, with over 12,500 girls from over 750 schools across the UK participating. And winning schools took home special prizes, including £5,000 for the highest scoring state school newcomer.
Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, said:
“The CyberFirst Girls Competition is an excellent gateway into the exciting world of cyber security, combining fun with challenge and providing participants the opportunity to test their skills against peers from their region.
“Tens of thousands of girls across the country have already gained valuable experience through our competition. I highly recommend schools sign up teams for this year’s event, allowing students to explore a potential new interest.
“The cyber security field offers diverse career paths, and we’ve seen past participants go on to pursue their interests and land impressive roles in the industry, helping to make the UK safe online.”
Registration opens at 10am, today (16th September) with teams able to sign up until the competition closes on the 27th November. The winners will be announced shortly after and winning teams from each region will be invited to a grand prize-winning dinner and celebration taking place in March next year.
Last year’s competition saw Newlands Girls’ School from Berkshire win £5,000 for becoming the top scoring state school newcomer. Other special prizes were awarded to The Tiffin Girls’ School from Surrey for being the highest scoring returning school and Oxford High School as the highest scoring team overall.
