Bolton University host educational cyber security escape room

From Monday (April 25) through to the following Friday, people will have the chance have a go at fun, interactive learning experience, which shares the format of conventional escape rooms.

Players are faced with two rooms, one set up to resemble a domestic or work environment, and the second a more clandestine setting that one might expect to be inhabited by a hacker.

Before entering, participants are set a brief – they have an hour to get their hands on certain items that will assist their company in hacking through the cyber security of its rival in order to steal its secrets.

They will be presented with clues, designed to get them closer to their eventual aim, but simultaneously highlighting flaws in the cyber security, forming teachable moments for those involved.

Adam Pickering, Senior Consultant at CGI UK, the cyber security specialist company who have created to escape room, said: “The feedback from the kids is phenomenal. They’re coming out 50,000 feet and climbing, they’re just buzzing.

“It’s been very rewarding, doing this.”

Maxine Bulmer, VP for Cyber Security at CGI UK, discussed some everyday threats and how people can defend against them.

She said: “We talk about three areas - assess the risk, protect the business and operate with confidence.

Maxine Bulmer

“Assess the risk is about education and awareness and understanding of what those risks might be, where they might come from, what is the impact of not doing something?”

She also added some advice to individuals: “Don’t use the same (password) for every single device so that if something gets compromised or lost or damaged or you suspect there’s been a threat then you haven’t got that same password everywhere.

“A lot of younger people are online. It’s about being careful about what they say, who they engage with – are they absolutely sure that they know who’s at the other end of those messages?”

Adam Isherwood is the academic lead for computing at Bolton University.

He said: “The students know this is coming and they’re really looking forward to it. I’ll be interested to see how many of them actually escape, and how many of them are just talking the talk.

“I think awareness for cyber security in general really needs to grow amongst the public – talk to your family, talk to anybody and they’re aware of attacks but they don’t really know how to protect themselves.”

Dr Julian Coleman, Chair of the Committee of Deans, at the University of Bolton, said: “It's fantastic to see the University so heavily involved and at the forefront of cyber security and we're delighted that we've been able to set up this cutting-edge facility for the benefit of our students and the growing cyber security sector locally and regionally.”

Dr Julian Coleman

Sam Johnson, head of the School of the Arts at the University of Bolton, said: “With our increased reliance upon digital platforms and real-world data systems, it is crucial that we all get to know more about the potential risks associated with gathering, processing and using data and how best to make online environments secure.

“The CGI room is a great way for people of all ages to engage with key concepts and problems in the cybersecurity field. And as an interactive and experiential learning experience, participants are far more likely to remember the key messages that are so important to safe on-line practice.

Sam Johnson

Aimed at children of around age 10 and upwards, all the way through to adults and businesses training and teambuilding, the escape room is available to be booked on CGI UK’s website, or email cyberescape@cgi.com.