Cyber skills put to the test as CGI Cyber Escape arrives on campus

This Cyber Security Awareness Month, students at Glasgow Clyde College have swapped the cyber lab for a 40ft escape room as one of the UK’s most unusual cyber security training experiences arrives on campus.

The purpose-built escape room, housed inside a shipping container, will give students the chance to tackle a series of cyber-related puzzles and scenarios designed to test their understanding of online threats, information security and how organisations can protect themselves from cyber attacks.

Running across the week, teams of students will work together to identify risks and solve challenges against the clock, bringing some of the skills taught in the classroom into a practical, real-world environment.

The visit comes as demand for cyber security expertise continues to grow across Scotland. ScotlandIS reported this year that 62% of Scottish technology companies require cyber security capability, while the Scottish Government has identified persistent skills gaps and shortages within the profession as a key challenge for Scotland’s future digital resilience.

Glasgow Clyde College offers a range of routes into the sector, including NC Cyber Security, HND Cyber Security and HND Infrastructure with Cyber Security, covering areas such as ethical hacking, digital forensics, networking, firewall and server administration.

Kevin MacLean, Head of Sector Faculty of Future Technologies and Design, at Glasgow Clyde College, said: “Cyber security is an area where Scotland needs skilled people who can respond to increasingly sophisticated threats.

“Experiences like CGI Cyber Escape give our students the opportunity to take what they are learning and apply it in a completely different environment, working together and solving the types of problems they could encounter in their future careers.”

CGI is one of the world’s largest IT and business consulting services companies, working with organisations across the public and private sectors on digital transformation, managed IT services and cyber security. 

In Scotland, the company works with organisations across sectors including local government, education, energy, transport, financial services and health & social care. 

CGI has more than 1,700 cyber security specialists globally, including a team in Scotland, and has been supporting UK organisations with cyber security for more than 50 years. Its Cyber Escape initiative forms part of its wider work to improve cyber awareness and help build the future technology talent pipeline.

The Cyber Escape forms part of CGI’s wider work with schools, colleges, universities and communities to help build cyber awareness and encourage more young people to consider careers in technology and cyber security.