The ‘Land Rover 4×4 in Schools Technology Challenge’ has partnered with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ, to introduce a cyber security-judging element into its STEM initiative.

The Land Rover 4×4 in Schools program challenged over 100 students participating in the UK final to research and consider the security principles required for a design, development or build project.

The teams must consider protecting the Intellectual Property of their design, security of their physical materials, information, marketing and communications by researching their risks and considering how to mitigate them. 

Promoting cyber security as an exciting profession

Chris Ensor, Deputy Director for NCSC Skills and Growth said: “Cyber security is an exciting and rapidly evolving profession, fundamental to our modern digital society, which is why the NCSC is committed to developing the skills talent pipeline through our CyberFirst courses and bursaries. Young people have amazing aptitude and talent to succeed in this field and we are delighted that the Land Rover 4×4 in Schools Technology Challenge is making such a positive contribution to this drive for success.”

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was formally opened by Her Majesty The Queen in February 2017 and provides a single, central body for cyber security at a national level. It manages national cyber security incidents, carries out real-time threat analysis and provides tailored sectoral advice.

A team of 15 and 16 year-old students from Moor End Academy in Huddersfield was named the UK finalists on 28 March. Together with the Scottish champions from Woodfarm High School in Glasgow, the two teams will represent the UK at the Land Rover 4×4 in Schools World Final in Abu Dhabi in December 2017, where they will be competing against the teams from 17 other countries to become World Champions.

Edited from press release by Ella Donaldson