Pictured is Protect, Prevent and Prepare Officer Ben Johns (right) receiving the Industry Champion award from NCSC’s Chris Ensor

A team’s work to encourage young people across the South West to develop their cyber skills – while ensuring they stay above the law – has earned them the title of Cyber Schools Hub Industry Champion for the second year in a row.

The South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit’s (SW RCCU) Protect, Prevent and Prepare Team also achieved Partner status at the awards, which were organised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in Cheltenham last Thursday (February 27).

During the past year the team has spoken with hundreds of young people in schools and colleges across the region, giving inputs as part of lessons and workshops on topics including the safe and lawful practice of cyber skills, knowledge of the Computer Misuse Act, and potential career prospects.

Detective Inspector Louise Boyce, who heads up the SW RCCU, said: “We’ve got a fantastic team committed to encouraging young people to pursue a career in cyber security. 

“The fact that the average age of a convicted cyber criminal is just 17-years-old shows the challenge we’re up against: these young people’s knowledge often outweighs that of their parents and even their teachers so it’s vital we harness their skills and curiosity, educate them about legal and ethical cyber skills and do everything we can to set them on the right career path.

“For us, this area of work is just as important as the investigations we run to pursue and convict cyber criminals.”

To contact the team about delivering sessions at your school or college, email cyberchoices@avonandsomerset.police.uk