Cyber Security Competition

Overview

Cyber security consists of technologies which are designed to protect systems, networks, programs, devices and data from cyber-attacks. Effective cyber security reduces the risk of cyber-attacks and protects against the unauthorised exploitation of systems.

This competition focuses on all the essential requirements for a successful career as a Cyber Security Analyst within any industry. This competition test your abilities in Reconnaissance, Scanning, Vulnerability Testing, and Exploitation of Systems.

How competing has accelerated Cameron’s skills.

The skills you need to demonstrate

IT skills
Attention to detail
Problem solving
Team working
Reconnaissance
Scanning
Hacking
Knowledge of security across systems

Useful resources

Prepare for competition success

Our library of endorsed local skills competition briefs ‘benchmarking assessments’ helps prepare learners to build technical skills, productivity, and mindset competencies for national competition success, including employability progression pathways.

Paired with the benchmarking tracker, educators can record progress, identifying strengths and target areas for improvement. Together, they offer a reliable, standards-led framework, creating a sustainable model for skills development that supports educators to empower learners to be competition ready.

Access on the Learning Lab

Contact details

KMacLean@glasgowclyde.ac.uk

Entry criteria

This is an individual competition. Competitors should currently be in education, training, employment, or be enrolled in a program of study. Otherwise, competitors must have completed the equivalent to a level 4 qualification.
There is no limit to the number of competitors permitted to enter this competition per organisation
Competitors must be familiar with the core competencies (these can be found in the National Standard of Excellence in the ‘Useful resources’ section).

How it works

1. Register

Registrations open on Monday 2 March 2026, 9am and will close Friday 27 March 2026, midnight.

2. Entry stage

Entry Stage will be released on Monday 3 March with a final deadline of 25 April, 2025.

3. National Qualifiers

Qualifiers will take place between 5 May to 27 June, 2025 (Exact dates will vary by competition).

4. Training and Development

To help finalists prepare ahead of the UK Final, we will provide relevant technical training and share mindset development techniques, to support them to remain focused on achieving success.

Prepare students and apprentices by engaging with our benchmarking resources to master their skills and mindset masterclasses to build confidence and resilience on the WorldSkills UK Learning Lab.

5. National Finals

The National Finals are scheduled to take place in Wales during the week commencing 16 November 2026.

6. Squad UK

Competitors who are age eligible and have achieved the benchmark score will be invited to opt into Squad UK for the WorldSkills 2028 cycle, subject to the skill progressing to the international competition cycle.