We recently hosted our fourth SEP2 Cyber School with a cohort of Level 3 Networking & Software students and faculty from Bradford College.

We have now had over 75 students attend our SEP2 Leeds office for a day of insight and activities relating to our industry and are looking forward to more visits soon!

April’s Cyber School session was extra special as we had the pleasure of welcoming Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung to our office. Councillor Abigail is a prominent figure in Leeds, as the first elected councillor from Africa to soon hold the Lord Mayor position. During her visit to our office, she took the time to speak with the students, ask questions about SEP2 and find out what our Cyber School is all about. She also had a chat with Paul Starr, SEP2’s CEO, about cyber security and their shared love for Leeds.

At SEP2 Cyber School, we strive to help build students’ confidence and deepen their knowledge of cyber security, including understanding what we do at SEP2 and what other career opportunities there are in the industry. To help make learning fun and encourage the students to participate, we give out raffle tickets when they ask or answer a question. These raffle tickets can be used to win two major prizes at the end of the day – The Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit or a £45 voucher to Hack the Box Academy.

The day was filled with fun activities including workshops on cyber security, an interactive quiz, and a CV Masterclass. The workshops ran throughout the day and focused on three main scenarios: Attack, Defend, and Analyse. The interactive quiz was presented by Dave Gore, People Manager at SEP2, and the students raced to answer questions on cyber security to win even more raffle tickets. After the quiz, Dave ran a CV Masterclass, an incredible opportunity for the students to develop their CV skills and learn from top tips from someone recruiting in the cyber security industry.

“It’s always great to see the enthusiasm the students have for our industry. All of the SEP2 Team involved with Cyber Schools put a great deal of effort and time into the event and it clearly shows their dedication not only to the industry but our commitment to Do Good in our local community.”

Dave Gore, People Manager

“As digital technology becomes integral in our professional and personal lives, the demand for cyber security in all companies is growing. This has created numerous opportunities in this rapidly expanding field. A career in cyber security offers students the chance to pursue their interests, exciting opportunities to work with the latest technology, and provides ample room for growth; making this a promising career path for students.”

Corin McCourt, Presales Consultant

Feedback from the students is incredibly important to SEP2, as it helps us make sure they’re enjoying their day whilst they learn.

Here’s what they said about their experience.

“It exceeded my expectations. It really made me rethink my career path.”

“I enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions and to see perspectives of different teams and roles.”

“I found it useful learning about different aspects of the industry as well as helpful tips regarding CVs.”

The teachers are also encouraged to join in and learn more about cyber security. Here’s what they had to say about their time at SEP2.

“Outstanding experience provided. Look forward to coming back next year.”

“Absolutely amazing! So welcoming and made sure students were engaged, you can tell they enjoy their jobs. Very engaging, good information given and suitable for age of students.”

The SEP2 team is incredibly passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise with the next generation of cyber security specialists. They are eager to show students just how interesting a career in cyber security can be, including girls and minority groups, who may not have the same opportunities into a career in tech.

Interested in this initiative and want to find out how your school can join in on the fun? Contact our People Manager, Dave Gore [email protected]

We’re looking forward to our next Cyber School, taking place this summer! Follow our LinkedIn for more updates from SEP2.