Cybersecurity is without doubt one of the issues of foremost importance affecting the world today, not least as we move into widespread adoption of the use of the blockchain and acceptance of cryptocurrency. Cybersecurity also makes up a vital part of Gibraltar’s ‘nine principles’ that underpin the jurisdictions’s DLT regulatory framework.
Gibraltar’s student community is working to a high standard to develop their skills in this particular field of technology: today it was announced that the Bayside School Cyber Centurion Club has been shortlisted for a Stem Inspirational Award.
Over 500 teams from the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories had signed up to the competition. After three online rounds, only the top ten teams qualified for the National Final, and this year, three of these top ten teams were from Gibraltar’s schools. Gibraltar’s teams are comprised of fourteen students from Bayside and Westside Schools, aged between 14 and 17. One of Gibraltar’s teams is an all-girl team, and this was judged the best performing all-girl team throughout the entire competition.
In Gibraltar, the online rounds were hosted at the University of Gibraltar and involved the cybersecurity students securing and fixing vulnerabilities in a number of different operating systems. Since September, the teams have been training on a weekly basis with the Security Team from the betting company, GVC Group, developing their skills in securing both Linux and Windows based operating systems. The students have also been taking part in the UK Governments’ Cyber Discovery and Cyber First programmes to enhance their experience further.
EY Accountants kindly agreed to purchase personalised hoodies for all the team members, provide them with laptop satchels and arrange a visit to the EY Cyber Hub in London. The teams will also be visiting Bletchley Park during their time in England.
The STEM Inspirational Award is designed to reward sustained and long-term engagements through a STEM Club. The Bayside School Cyber Centurion Club is represented by four students from Bayside and Westside schools who have been involved with the STEM Club at Bayside. The award is sponsored by The Science and Technology Facilities Council with Lord Sainsbury of Turville presenting the awards at the House of Lords in London.
It is an outstanding achievement for the Bayside School Cyber Centurion Club to have been shortlisted alongside all the other STEM Clubs representing UK schools, and previous winners of STEM Awards include BAE systems, Cisco, RAF, Siemens and the University of St Andrews. Participation in the CyberCenturion process offers young people a unique learning opportunity to develop skills and experiences associated with cybersecurity which will serve the participating individuals well as they prepare to undertake further education and grow their careers.
Gibraltar’s Minister of Education, Prof John Cortes said, ‘This is an incredible and well earned achievement for our Gibraltar Cyber Centurion Club and I congratulate all the teachers and students, under the leadership of Stewart Harrison. It shows their commitment and ability – and there is much more to come!’
