CWA Level 3 Computing students completing the cyber challenge in a box

The Royal Signals attended College of West Anglia (CWA) on 26th - 29th September, visiting over 200 computing students across the King’s Lynn and Wisbech campuses.

The Royal Signals are leaders in IT, Cyber and Telecommunications, providing battle winning communications to every part of the Army. The Royal Signals are trained to become experts in engineering and operating systems, networks and cyber equipment.

Students from all levels of CWA computing courses took park in activities, which included a cyber challenge in a box, an immersive experience designed to present the concept of cyber security. Students worked in small teams and had 90 minutes to ‘crack the code’ and prevent a cyber-attack from happening.

LCpl Heslop, Royal Signals, said, “Running these sessions with students is a great way to increase the awareness and understanding in cyber security knowledge, whilst having a fun time in completing a cyber security related challenge.”

CWA Level 3 Computing students completing the cyber challenge in a box.

Nigel Edwards, CWA Programme Manager - Computing, said, “This activity inspires students to see how the skills developed on courses offered by the computing department at CWA are highly sought after in the world of employment. It is great to see all the students working together to ‘crack the code’”.

IT, Cyber and Telecommunications is one of the fastest growing areas of employment since the pandemic, with so many businesses operating online. The Royal Signals ended each session with a presentation on the many career pathways in the army for computing students. These include apprenticeships, higher-level degree apprenticeships, cyber security roles and software development within the British Army, as well as debt free higher education and apprenticeships, where students earn a full wage while training.

Kate Leigh, Work Placement and Careers Coordinator at CWA, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for computing students of all levels across both of our campuses to try a highly engaging fun activity. This session will develop students’ transferable skills, which have been developed on their College of West Anglia computing courses. It will also allow students to hear about the many career pathways in the British Army open to students.