Decoding CyberFirst

What is the CyberFirst programme?

CyberFirst was set up by the National Cyber Security Centre to introduce young people to cyber security. The Army Cadets’ CyberFirst programme differs from the public programme slightly as we only run three courses: Adventurers (a one-day course), Defenders, and Advanced (both week-long residential courses). There are no age restrictions, but Defenders is a four-star-qualifying course so we’d expect cadets to be two-star complete to be eligible.

How did you get involved with CyberFirst?

I joined the ACF in 2011 and became involved with the CIS Training Team when I went on a radio training course. It just so happened that the team was developing a cyber course at the time and I was able to join the discussions, which turned into planning for the launch of CyberFirst. Within a month, we were running the first CyberFirst course. I’ve been the CyberFirst Project Officer in the Cadet CIS Training Team at Blandford Camp for four years now.

Were you into IT as a teenager?

I spent a lot of time hanging out with my mates, listening to heavy metal and playing my guitar! I didn’t want to go to university and had no specific career aspirations until an IT teacher at school asked me to help fix some computers in my lunch breaks. I realised I liked the technical challenge of understanding how they worked and I particularly enjoyed helping people by creating effective systems and secure networks for them to use.

How did you progress to a career in cyber security?

As soon as I left school I was employed as the school’s IT technician. Following a degree course with The Open University, I moved into cyber security and am now the principal cyber-security engineer for a major global logistics company. I help ensure many of the components and products used in our everyday lives get to where they need to be, without disruption or delay. When you consider how many items are moving around the planet all day, every day, and all the related automated processes, it makes for an interesting job.

What can cadets expect from Adventurers?

The Adventurers course introduces cadets to the breadth of cyber by raising their awareness of how data is used. It’s far more than an e-safety course. They’ll use open-source intelligence gathering to solve a problem and work in teams to crack codes. And they’ll explore data more creatively in topics such as website creation and data analysis in sport.

Words like ‘coding’ and ‘data’ can sound geeky but data is a huge and interconnected part of our lives, which is why cyber security is so important. Adventurers demystifies this and empowers cadets to get involved.

What happens on the Defenders course?

The Defenders course tightens the focus on cyber security and offers cadets the chance to get more hands-on with the tech, so they can learn how to protect themselves online.

They work in a team to build a network that mimics a home network, with a broadband router and a webcam, which is connected to another team to simulate the internet. The exercise enables them to safely witness what happens when your network is vulnerable and your camera can be accessed by someone outside your home network.

It’s all very well being told you need to be careful online, but when you see how something works and how it can be compromised, you become far more motivated to take control of your own cyber security. Defenders gives cadets the skills to do this.

Who would benefit from the Advanced course?

The Advanced course takes things a step further and introduces digital forensics, which includes carrying out investigations and trying to recover lost or apparently deleted data. It also covers exploring encryption technologies and looking at the broader career opportunities in and around cyber security.

Cadets who complete the Advanced course will have in-depth knowledge of cyber security, making them an asset to any workplace, whatever the role. If they’re considering a career in cyber security, completing the Advanced course will also help them stand out when applying for work experience, apprenticeships, university places or bursaries.

Can anyone join a CyberFirst course?

All cadets are welcome. The CyberFirst programme is free, and the tech is accessible during the courses so it doesn’t matter if cadets don’t have a computer at home. We make sure all cadets feel welcome and engaged, regardless of their skills, hobbies, background or confidence level.

Diversity within a cyber security team is key to its success. We all have different life experiences, interests, abilities and perspectives. These help teams to analyse threats – including how, why, when and where they may arise – and better understand the mindset and behaviour of the people we’re trying to protect.

What are the career opportunities in cyber security?

Cyber security offers lots of opportunities as it’s a rapidly growing field that affects almost every aspect of our lives. Even if you don’t enjoy STEM subjects at school, don’t rule it out.

Global cyber security requires complex legislation and regulation, creating opportunities for lawyers. Farming is increasingly using GPS technology and automation, so there’s a demand in cyber security for people with knowledge of agriculture. Expertise in psychology, sociology, politics or economics is also helpful in understanding threats and the motivation behind them.

Why would you recommend CyberFirst to cadets?

When we don’t understand something it can seem intimidating, and this certainly applies to cyber security.

The knowledge cadets develop through the CyberFirst programme gives them confidence online and elsewhere in their lives. They feel empowered to share their knowledge of cyber security with friends and family, because they’ve learned that our cyber defence is only as strong as the weakest link. Any one of us could be that link, but attending a CyberFirst course means it’s less likely to be you, and sharing our knowledge makes us stronger collectively.

You might begin by strengthening a friend’s social media privacy settings or helping your nan spot a phishing scam, but you could end up knowledge-sharing as part of a cutting-edge, code-cracking team at Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ). It all starts with CyberFirst!

Go further

Click here or scan the QR code to find out more about CyberFirst.

Cadets interested in taking part in the CyberFirst programme should firstly take a look at the courses available on the cadet portal and then speak to their detachment commander.

Keeping hydrated is one of the most important ways to maintain a healthy body. Terry Hayter, SO2 Sports and Physical Development at HQ Regional Command, expands on the advice in the Keeping Active Training Manual.

Why we need water

It may be surprising to learn that water makes up 60 per cent of the human body. Water is needed for a wide range of processes within the body, for example it's used by the kidneys to flush out waste and toxins via urine, helps the digestive system function properly, keeps joints lubricated, and is used by the circulatory system to help carry essential nutrients, oxygen and glucose to cells.

Hydration and exercise

Water is also important for regulating the body's temperature and preventing dehydration. When it's hot, water is lost through sweat which helps to keep the body cool. This is why you should drink more when you're hot after exercising, or in a hot climate, as lost fluids need to be replaced.

How to stay hydrated

The best way to stay hydrated is to drink around two litres of fluids each day (roughly eight glasses). While water is the best source of hydration because it has no calories or sugars, your daily fluid intake can also be obtained from other drinks such as milk and sugar-free drinks.

It’s worth noting that you don’t need to consume sports or electrolyte drinks to improve physical performance. Eating a balanced diet should provide and replace all the electrolytes and nutrition you need. You won't need to get more through drinks or supplements, which often contain added sugars.

Striking a balance

While good hydration is essential, it’s worth bearing in mind that it is possible to overhydrate if you drink too much. Overhydration causes an imbalance in the body’s electrolytes. Signs of overhydration include nausea and vomiting, headaches, fatigue, confusion or disorientation, and muscle cramps.

Check your urine

One of the simplest ways to make sure you’re staying hydrated is to check the colour of your urine. Very pale yellow urine is a good sign and means you’re staying hydrated, but darker yellow/brown urine suggests you are dehydrated and need to drink more.

DIY flavour-filled fluids

Water is so good for you, but if you find it too bland here are some ways to make it more exciting.

Get fruity

Adding fresh slices of strawberry, lemon, lime, orange or cucumber to your water bottle will enhance the flavour, as will fresh mint or ginger.

Spritz it up

If you’re bored of still water, try sparkling instead. Opt for sparkling mineral water which has been carbonated at source and has nothing added to it. Or add some fizz yourself at home using a sparklingwater maker, such as a SodaStream.

Ice ice baby

If room-temperature tap water doesn’t appeal, adding ice can make it more thirst quenching. Get creative by freezing chunks of kiwi or melon or adding frozen berries to your drink for an additional fruity, icy hit.

Go further

The topic of hydration will feature in a new upcoming Army Cadets Healthy Eating video.

The film will be a useful resource if you want to find out more about the foods you should eat and the ones to avoid to maintain a balanced diet.

Army releasing a Keeping Active video, which will cover moderate physical training including exercises you can do at home in your own time.

Keep