DIGITAL ISLE OF MAN BOOSTS LOCAL TALENT IN UK CYBERCENTURION SUCCESS

In an impressive display of skill and dedication, two teams from the Isle of Man Code Club, supported by Digital Isle of Man, achieved first place in their respective categories at the CyberCenturion X National Finals in Manchester.

The Isle of Man Code Club has been an active participant in the CyberCenturion competition since 2015, fostering a strong tradition of excellence in cybersecurity and STEM among local youths aged 12 to 18. This year, the club's continued commitment was evident as twenty-two students competed, contributing to a total of fifty-six participants over the years.

The 2024 finals saw the senior team 'CyberAces' and the junior team 'I am Root' both returning to claim victory in a tough competition involving the best from across the UK, Crown Dependencies, and Overseas Territories. Notably, 'CyberAces' concluded their six-year participation with a win before transitioning to higher education, while 'I am Root' celebrated their second participation with a victory, promising a strong future as they advance to the senior category next year.

Adam Drummond, the co-ordinator of CyberCenturion at Code Club said: 'It was fantastic to attend the CyberCenturion National Final once again. The trip has been a highlight of the Code Club year for the past three years. These students who, at this point, know a lot more than I do, will go off to lead exceptional careers in STEM and all of us at the club are immeasurably proud of their hard work.'

Owen Cutajar, Chair of Code Club added: 'We’re delighted to be able to support local talent in the Isle of Man and give students the opportunity to compete internationally. We’re keen to encourage and assist any student with an interest in Computing and Cybersecurity and will soon be looking to form next year’s teams, so get in touch with Code Club if you would like to join, learn, and compete.

'Once again, we would like to extend a special thank you to Digital Isle of Man for supporting our travel”, he continued. “Their support is crucial to our running this initiative, which in turn promotes lifelong digital learning on the Island and is something we are extremely grateful for each year.'

For those interested in joining or learning more about the Isle of Man Code Club and its activities in cybersecurity, details can be found by contacting hello@codeclub.im, visiting their Facebook page, or attending their regular sessions at King William’s College.