DCMS launches free cyber skills platform for kids

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched an online platform for children between the ages of 11 and 14 to teach them cyber security skills.

Introduced as part of the government’s ongoing National Cyber Strategy, the Cyber Explorers platform uses characters – the Citizens of Cyber City – to guide children through a number of scenarios with the hope of laying the foundations for future cyber security talent.

Cyber minister Julia Lopez said: “For years, the UK has led the world in cyber security, but we’re now looking to the future. This sector is home to some of our most exciting, innovative jobs, and they must be open to everyone. 

“Cyber Explorers will give thousands of young people the opportunity to learn the digital skills they need for the modern workplace and get the best possible start on their journey towards a career in cyber.”

The UK is suffering from a widespread technology skills shortage, but the problem is especially notable in the cyber security sector, where in 2020 only around 10% of talent had the skills required to fill the gap.

The number of people joining the sector worldwide is growing, but research from (ISC)² suggested that to properly secure organisations and keep up with growing demand for security, more talent would have to be trained and join the sector.

Research by DCMS also found only a third of companies expect to be able to access the digital skills they need in the future, despite cyber security creating 6,000 new jobs in the UK over the past year.

The goal of Cyber Explorers is to give around 30,000 young people access to resources that may encourage them into cyber roles in the future, eventually helping to plug the UK’s cyber skills gap.

“Cyber Explorers will give thousands of young people the opportunity to learn the digital skills they need for the modern workplace and get the best possible start on their journey towards a career in cyber”