GCHQ’s Cyber Insiders Summer School
The UK Class of 2016, all studying STEM degrees at university, took part in the ten-week programme covering topics such as Cyber security, coding, ethical hacking and network defence in a mixture of practical, online and real-time learning.
The Cheltenham-based course also demonstrated GCHQ’s role in keeping the UK safe against cyber threats. Students undertook various challenges and live experts, culminating in projects presented to GCHQ’s own experts.
And they also had the opportunity to learn about the history of codebreaking at GCHQ’s forerunner Bletchley Park, as well as letting off steam in a teambuilding day in the Forest of Dean.
The students praised the course, with comments like: “It’s an effective learning environment, everyone is friendly and help you when you need it” and “The best part was learning things that are difficult to learn elsewhere and having the facilities to practice what we learn.”
One even added: “I’ve learned more in my time here than in my first year of university”!
Almost all of the participants have requested to be interviewed for future training, placements or employment at GCHQ.
Anyone who wants to ‘learn from world-class experts’ in a ‘cooperative’ and ‘relaxed’ environment, as described by this year’s students, should keep an eye on GCHQ’s Careers website for information about how to apply for the 2017 programme.
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