The Compton School in Summers Lane wants to help students prepare for jobs in the fast growing industry

A North Finchley has launched a new club to prepare students for jobs in cyber security.

The Compton School in Summers Lane has launched the weekly club where students have the chance gain practical skills which will prepare them for future roles in the fast growing industry.

The school says it aims to inspire ‘the next generation of cyber defenders’ to help protect the UK’s critical systems by enabling students to strengthen their digital skills and explore cyber security techniques.

It has developed a fully mobile Cyber Lab network separate from its main IT systems to support this activity. The facility enables students to use professional tools such as Kali Linux to investigate and secure devices without risking the school’s infrastructure.

The school says systems can be restored within minutes, enabling safe experimentation and that all participants have parental consent and have signed an acceptable-use agreement to ensure they use their skills responsibly.

Students have welcomed the opportunity to explore cyber security in a safe environment. Year 11 student, Borys, said he has “the freedom to experiment safely and legally,” while Philip, a Year 12 student, described the sessions as “educational and inspirational.”

Mr Sekukuni Sisulu, computing subject lead at school, said: “The cyber security club is part of our extensive co-curricular offer at The Compton. We introduced it alongside the AAQ Level 3 BTEC in Information Technology to give students practical experience to complement the theory, particularly in cyber security and incident management.

“The club has since broadened to help our students build the skills, confidence, and ethical awareness they need to succeed within the rapidly expanding digital sector. The response from students has been fantastic, and it has been a learning journey for all of us.”

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