- 120 A-level girls have successfully taken part in a Cyber Capture the Flag (CTF) event
- The initiative is funded by Qinetiq
- It is aimed at inspiring young women to pursue careers in cyber security.
Aston University’s Centre for Cyber Security Innovation (CSI), recently hosted a CyberKali Capture the Flag (CTF) event, aimed at inspiring the next generation of female cyber security professionals.
The event was led by Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy, deputy director of the CSI Centre, alongside an all-women team of experts, including Dr Laura Di Chiacchio, Dr Asma Patel, Professor Vladlena Benson and Gosia Dzierdzikowska.
The event saw 120 A-Level female students take part from across the West Midlands in hands-on cyber security activities, including cryptography, reverse engineering, digital forensics, Linux commands and open-source intelligence. These interactive sessions provided the students with practical skills and invaluable insights into various cyber security domains.
The event also featured inspiring talks by industry leaders, including representatives from QinetiQ and Professor Simon Hepburn, CEO of The Security Institute.
Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy, senior lecturer and deputy director of the Aston Centre for Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) said:
“The cyber workforce remains heavily male-dominated, through initiatives like CyberKali, we are delighted to create opportunities for young women to explore and excel in this traditionally male-driven field. We are deeply grateful to QinetiQ for funding this project and to everyone who contributed to making CyberKali CTF event such a resounding success.
"I am excited to contribute to Aston University’s mission of inspiring and empowering the future talent of cyber security professionals, while championing diversity and equality in the industry. I am proud to be part of an institution that is committed to motivate and train the next generation of cyber security leaders."
Ben Tucker, QinetiQ social value manager, said:
“It was a fantastic day, and we were delighted to working in partnership with Aston University to deliver the event.
“We at QinetiQ are commitment to support the next generation of Cyber professionals, and events like this are pivotal to showcase the breadth of opportunity for amazing young women in the West Midlands.”
Raheela K Year 13, CyberKali event participant said:
“The CTF competition also bought out my competitive side, and the hands-on experience was both challenging and fun!
“This has really fuelled my passion for cyber security even more.”
Dr Asma Patel, lead for the Capture the Flag (CTF) platform and cyber games development, said:
“I’m dedicated to creating engaging, hands-on hacking experiences to make cyber security both accessible and exciting. I run events for girls to build technical skills, boost confidence, and empower the next generation of young decision-makers, contributing to a more diverse and dynamic future in cyber security.”
- Notes to Editors
About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7446 910063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk
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