Scottish Government launches free cyber resilience training for every university and college student in Scotland

A new free cyber training resource designed for students across Scotland has been launched by Graeme Dey MSP, the Scottish Government's Minister for Higher and Further Education, at the Abertay cyberQuarter. 

Cyber Resilience and You! is an online training module that teaches students how to tackle cyber threats relevant to student life. This includes identifying phishing attempts, avoiding online scams, and protecting their devices with essential security updates. 

Throughout the module, learners interact with five fictional students as they navigate various online challenges, helping them recognise potential cyber threats and mitigate the risks of the digital world. 

This resource was funded by the Scottish Government and developed in collaboration with Scottish universities and colleges. Student feedback was incorporated to ensure it meets their needs. 

The module takes approximately one hour to complete and will be distributed to every college and university in Scotland. 

Mr Dey said:  

As we become increasingly digitally connected, the threat of cyber attacks is constant, making it crucial for students to be prepared to deal with these risks during their study. This new learning resource provides an opportunity for everyone to enhance their cyber resilience and safeguard against potential threats, whether they are a beginner or already familiar with cyber security.

The new resource was launched during the University’s inaugural Cyber Student Showcase, a public event featuring innovative projects of final year Computing, Cybersecurity, and Ethical Hacking students. 

Over 20 student projects were showcased on a variety of topics, including the development of a user-friendly automated vulnerability assessment tool using network mapping, a one-time password (OTP) authentication system created in Python, a methodology for attributing cyber attacks to specific threat groups, and a low-interaction honeypot simulating satellite communications to analyse threats in the space industry. 

Dr Natalie Coull, Head of the Department of Cybersecurity and Computing, said:  

I am delighted to see the Abertay cyberQuarter hosting the launch of this important resource, reaffirming our status as Scotland’s hub for cybersecurity research and innovation. This launch is particularly meaningful, as it aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. I am also glad that Mr Dey had the opportunity to engage with our talented students as they showcase their impressive work. Their innovative thinking and commitment showcase their abilities and suggest bright prospects for their futures in cybersecurity and computing.

Abertay introduced the world’s first Ethical Hacking degree in 2006 and was recently named Cyber University of the Year at the UK Cyber Awards.