Northrop Grumman has officially announced the launch of CyberCenturion – the UK’s national youth cyber defence competition for 12 to 18 year olds.
More than 2,500 students from across the UK are set to participate, and together they have formed a record-breaking 575 teams including 116 all-female and 45 cadet groups. Remarkably, this represents a threefold increase on the year previous.
CyberCenturion, now in its fourth consecutive year, is the UK equivalent of CyberPatriot – a US youth education programme sponsered by the Northrop Grumman Foundation and established by the Air Force Association.
These initiatives help promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and are aimed squarely at engaging students with an interest in cyber, encouraging them to pursue academic opportunities which bridge the widening skills gap.
“This year we have seen truly amazing growth in the number and diversity of teams that have entered the competition showing the increasing interest that young people have in cyber security,” said Andrew Tyler, Chief Executive and Northrop Grumman Europe. “CyberCenturion is an important and popular means of inspiring young people to take further studies and follow careers in cyber.”
“Building tomorrow’s cyber workforce is a global imperative and we are thrilled to be spearheading this effort,” confirmed Diane Miller, Director of Global Cyber Education and Workforce Development Programmes at Northrop Grumman.
The competition, which is played over three rounds, kicked-off on Friday 3rd November at the Air Force Association headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The two rounds that follow are expected to take place on 8th December and 19th January, culminating in the national finals held in London on 8th March 2018.
If you would like to join our community and read more articles like this then please click here.
The post Northrop Grumman launches fourth annual CyberCenturion competition appeared first on Defence Online.
