At a recent Cyber Security Challenge Face to Face (F2F) competition, Enterprise Times (ET) spoke with Rae McClelland and Steph Aldridge. McClelland is the Programme Manager for Universities and Further Education. Aldridge is Education Liaison and Diversity Lead. Together they make a formidable partnership focused on driving access to cybersecurity to a new generation and ensuring that the scope of those involved is as wide as possible.

Rae McClelland, Programme Manager, Universities and Development Camps, Cyber Security Challenge UK

The Cyber Security Challenge has been successfully working with schools and universities for the last four years. In that time it has seen good engagement from grammar and private schools but less so from state schools. It has also extended its remit and approached other youth organisations such as Guides, Scouts and Cadet Forces.

Another challenge that the Cyber Security Challenge is dealing with is the need to widen the diversity of the industry. Both Aldridge and McClelland talk about the need for vocational training and apprenticeships to support and enhance the university degree programmes. They also recognise that we have people who are excluded from the current cyber security industry. This is where the Cyber Security Challenge is trying to make a difference, especially around those excluded for social and economic reasons.

Steph Aldridge, Cybercenturion and Diversity Lead, Cyber Security Challenge UK

This is a long podcast but one where the passion of both Aldridge and McClelland is evident. To hear what else they had to say, listen to the podcast

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listen to the podcast (below) or download the podcast to your local device and then listen there