The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has begun to roll out an online platform for schoolchildren to learn about cyber security.
Named Cyber Explorers, it is free to use and aimed at introducing 11-14 year-olds to security concepts such as open source intelligence, digital forensics and social engineering.
It is part of the Government’s effort to build up cyber skills in the national economy within the National Cyber Strategy.
The platform enables students to explore a variety of scenarios and collect virtual badges for making smart choices. They get to use characters, quizzes and activities, and learn how cyber skills can lead to a range of career paths.
New content and characters will be added over the coming weeks.
Flexible suitability
DCMS said it is suitable for in-classroom teaching, after school clubs and learning at home, and will complement the existing CyberFirst programme of activities led by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Cyber Minister Julia Lopez MP said: “Cyber Explorers will give thousands of young people the opportunity to learn digital skills they need for the modern workplace and get the best possible start on their journey towards a career in cyber.”
A series of events will be run by local businesses and networks in Newport, Birmingham, Bradford, Newry and Inverclyde to encourage young people from ethnic minority and socially deprived backgrounds to use Cyber Explorers.
