Chance for Sheffield pupils to become cyber security experts

Entries to CyberFirst, part of the National Cyber Security Programme, are now open to Sheffield pupils preparing for their A-levels.

Up to 250 successful recruits will get £4,000 student bursaries, paid work placements and employment on university graduation.

The aim is to fast-track tomorrow's cyber security experts.

National Cyber Security Centre CEO Ciaran Martin said: "These bursaries are a brilliant opportunity for the brightest and best.

“A thousand cyber first graduates is a thousand steps on the way to building the world class cyber security workforce at a national level. These are skills we desperately need."

To encourage interest in cyber security, the NCSC is also running a puzzle-cracking competition for teams of 13 to 15-year-old-girls.

To find out more about the student scheme, visit www.gchq-careers.co.uk/index.html. For information on the girls' competition, visit www.ncsc.gov.uk/events/cyberfirst-girls-competition.