48 CYBER AND DIGITAL


and cyber capabilities with state-of-the-art facilities such as the Security Operations Centre (SOC), advanced computing labs and access to industry-specific software.


The government’s Strategic Command’s bursary programme, created to encourage talented young people into digital and cyber careers in defence, is also up and running.


A-level and T-level students from Blackpool and The Fylde, Runshaw, Blackburn and Cardinal Newman colleges gathered at Ewood Park in Blackburn for a day of activities and insights into future career opportunities.


Professor Daniel Prince Continued from Page 47


Delegates were tasked with capturing and mapping the wide range of commercial, academic and workforce opportunities which will be created by more cyber-led economic growth across Lancashire.


The workshops were also used to share more details of Lancashire’s proposed £12m innovation and technology hub, a new development which – if brought forward – will complement existing academic and industrial R&D assets across the county.


Lancashire’s universities and colleges are also heavily focused on the impact that the cyber security sector can deliver.


Last October a major new project was announced aimed at ensuring world-leading cyber security research generated in the North West is exploited to deliver a ‘step change’ for the region’s business and economic growth.


many of them. However, he says: “There is a lot of work still to be done to engage the business community and help them understand the challenges of cyber security better, also the potential benefits that cyber security offers.”


And more work is needed when it comes to attracting people to work in the sector. “We need to broaden the message,” he says. “Cyber security is an industry and a lifelong career that people from all backgrounds can get into. We have to get the message out there that it isn’t for an exclusive few.”


Prof Prince stresses it is vital that the sector “taps into” the region’s rich cultural diversity. He says: “Academia, industry, government and the private sector, there is an opportunity for everybody to come together and realise the potential of cyber security for the North West.”


And given the need to educate more ‘cyber leaders’, the university has launched its Cyber


Cyber security is an industry and a lifelong


career that people from all backgrounds can get into. We have to get the message out there that it isn’t for an exclusive few


Led by Lancaster University, the £1.2m project will see six partner universities, including UCLan, capture the very latest cyber security innovations and partner with entrepreneurs, investors, government and businesses to transform cutting-edge knowledge into innovative new products, services and policy.


It follows Lancaster’s once-in-a-generation £19m investment – an initiative that includes recruiting 33 new cross-disciplinary academics, plus 15 ‘professor in practice’ roles, as well as 10 support staff.


The university’s emerging Data Cyber Quarter will provide cutting-edge facilities, engagement space including hot-desking and partnership opportunities to encourage and promote trailblazing initiatives.


Daniel Prince is a professor in security and protection science within the school of computing and communications. He specialises in cyber risk management and also works closely with organisations to help them understand the economic growth potential of cyber security.


A raft of initiatives is underway, with the globally- acknowledged university heavily involved in


Executive Masters in Business Administration (CEMBA), developed alongside industry-leading cyber security consultants.


Lancashire FE colleges have been responding to the challenge with investment in facilities that will help them deliver the skills this growth sector will need.


In May last year Blackburn College secured £2.1m of capital funding, part of which was earmarked for enhancing its cyber training suites.


Its bespoke cyber and digital training centre has been designed to provide hands on security education and training, with dedicated ‘attack’ and ‘defence’ rooms, creating hyper-realistic cyber-attack scenarios.


Burnley College, has just been awarded gold status in a government scheme recognising inspirational and cutting-edge cyber security teaching.


Cyberfirst is a pioneering programme to inspire and encourage young people to pursue careers in cyber security, bridging the skills gap in a rapidly growing field.


The college has committed more than £570,000 this year alone to enhance its digital


Mo Isap, IN4 and Phil Riley


The scheme has been set up to support and incentivise the study of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), digital, and cyber courses, and promote future careers in defence. The aim is to roll it out nationally.


Collaborating with the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub (LSEH) and the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Digital Skills for Defence programme, all successful students on the pilot will be provided with access to a broad range of mentoring and development opportunities, as well as financial support and a high- performance laptop.


The summer also saw the announcement that every secondary school in Blackburn with Darwen will be part of another pioneering technology educational enrichment and scholarships programme.


The council is partnering with IN4, one of the UK’s largest technology skills and innovation providers, to establish a new programme that will nurture over 600 pupils and mentor 50 scholarship students each year.


It has been given the title ‘MEGA (motivated, educated generation with ambition) Hub’. The aim is to build on the success of IN4’s North West and West Midlands Cyberfirst contracts with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ.


The programme will link closely into the government’s NCF investment in Lancashire. The scholarships will be awarded to 16-year-olds starting sixth form or a Level 4 qualification, with a £1,000 student bursary.


There will also be mentoring, industry placements, and professional technology certifications in generative AI, cloud, and cyber with AWS, Microsoft, and Google.


Each scholarship student will gain access and dedicated support to secure the best technology degree apprenticeships or university places.


Council leader Phil Riley says: “We are determined to inspire our young people. We want to help open their eyes to the different careers available in digital and technology, especially with the re-location of the NCF to Salmesbury.”


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