College hosts cyber security event to showcase exciting careers

BMet 's Matthew Boulton College showcased its pioneering CyberHub security operations centre this week, encouraging young people to consider careers in cybersecurity and cloud technology.

Supported by the CyberHub trust and sponsored by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the College hosted a visit from over 50 guests. These included representatives from the Home Office, Department for Education (DfE), Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) and the Police (West Midlands Regional Cyber Crime Unit).

In addition, 11 further education colleges and Institutes of Technology (IoT) attended, coming from as far afield as Plymouth, Glasgow, Liverpool, Wales, Oxford and London.

Guests were shown around the College, including the AWS Digital Suite and the CyberHub Trust 's Security Operations Centre (SOC), which was launched at the College earlier this year.

Here they were able to experience an interactive presentation by cybersecurity expert, Ben Franklin from the BIT Group, who works with the Trust to provide cyber services, training, and apprenticeships to students.

The students also took part in an interactive cybersecurity exercise, which was run by the West Midlands Regional Cyber Crime Unit. This gave them the opportunity to test their decision-making skills and awareness of potential security threats - which was very much enjoyed.

Director for creative, digital, business and law at Matthew Boulton College, Oliver Stokes, said: “The resources we have at Matthew Boulton College are exceptional, and have received a lot of attention from employers, including the Cyber Security team within the West Midlands police.

“The testimonies from existing students and alumni have been exceptional, demonstrating that we are a college with ambition and drive. We clearly care that our students develop industry standard skills, as well as confidence and resilience, to move onto positive destinations that challenge the norm. ”

One of the students to have benefited from this initiative is Lehel J Nagy. A former Creative IT student at Matthew Boulton College, Lehel is now studying Cyber Security at university.

He said: “Being part of the college and having opportunities to be involved with AWS has been truly phenomenal for me and has helped me build my confidence, create rewarding industry contacts and learn a range of skills that are beneficial to my career journey.

“Since recently successfully completing my course at the college, I have embarked on an Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security course at Coventry University, which I am really enjoying and I feel excited for my future! It was great to share my experience and advice with others, including students who I can relate to. ”

The CyberHub Trust works with digital employers, the National Crime Agency and related law-enforcement areas to identify technically capable individuals who may be at risk of criminal activity.

The young people are then encouraged to use their skills in a more productive way by offering specialist training and supporting them into exciting digital careers.

To find out more about the CyberHub Trust and the work it is doing around the country, visit: www.cyberhub.org.uk