Award-winning Cyber PATH alumni student continues to make an impact

The National Cyber Resilience Group are very proud of the quality of students they attract to the Cyber PATH programme. The aim has always been to develop a genuinely elite workplace-ready talent pipeline for industry and law enforcement, and the 2025 recruitment campaign starts soon.

Their recruitment process has helped to identify not only the most talented students but also those who are truly committed to helping shore up the nation’s defences against cybercrime and who want to develop the essential skills, knowledge and experience they need to succeed in the workplace upon graduation in a live, commercial setting.

Since the inception of the Cyber PATH programme, the NCRG have worked with many promising students who are now starting to join the workforce, many of whom have taken on key cyber roles. It is now that the NCRG can see the impact of the Cyber PATH programme, and they’re excited to watch as the Cyber PATH alums begin to play an essential part in strengthening the resilience of our businesses and organisations in the UK.

In September 2023, they reported that one of their students, Sophie Powell, was named a finalist in the Cyber Student of the Year 2023 category at the prestigious National Cyber Awards - an award which Sophie went on to win!

Since then, Sophie has gone from strength to strength, and she is firmly rooted in a cyber career, having joined Cyberfort, the well-established and highly-respected cyber security services provider.

However, the story doesn’t end there. Sophie continues to demonstrate her commitment to the cyber industry in a very positive manner. Sophie is co-founder and director of CyberWomen Groups C.I.C.

CyberWomen Groups C.I.C. brings together and supports women interested in or studying cyber security at university. They work within universities to organise events that encourage diversity and positive change within STEM subjects. CyberWomen Groups is an inclusive community that any student can join, regardless of gender identity. Their mission is simple: creating a community that inspires learning, networking, and positive change.

They are forming a community of like-minded students within UK universities with an interest in cyber-based subjects to come together and empower women in this field. Their initiative is stand-alone: they are entirely student-led. Their executives lead the way in their branches, setting out the individual goals and ambitions they want to achieve that year.

They work hard to ensure their students are heard and provide the support and guidance they require to help them achieve their goals.

However, the link to Cyber PATH, the CRC Network and NCRCG doesn’t stop there. One of their founding National Ambassadors, CGI, has shown its commitment to developing cyber talent by becoming a Silver Founding Strategic Partner of CyberWomen Groups.

Speaking about their involvement, Maxine Bulmer, Vice President of Cyber Consulting at CGI in the UK, said:

“The tech industry thrives on innovation and diversity of ideas, and only by harnessing talent across all genders can we create meaningful change for our clients and communities. At CGI, we strive to be unconditionally inclusive and are passionate about inspiring the next generation of young professionals to pursue STEM careers. We are proud to partner with CyberWomen Groups C.I.C. to encourage the next generation of cyber security consultants.”

It proves that the Cyber PATH programme is delivering its original objectives, which were to develop a first-class cyber talent pipeline for policing and the private sector by enlisting the brightest students to work alongside senior Cyber Security Practitioners and police officers to deliver high-quality and tailored cyber resilience services to smaller organisations.

Sophie’s story embodies all of their goals and more. Not only has she brought her considerable talent into the cyber ecosystem, but she continues to encourage others to follow her example.

Would you like to follow Sophie’s example and play a leading role in the cyber security ecosystem? Cyber PATH recruitment begins on June 2, and to give you an insight into what you can expect from a role that puts students in a paid-for role whilst they study, find out more via https://nationalcrcgroup.co.uk/cyber-path and apply for this unique opportunity.

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Reporting

Report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).

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