T H E PI LG R I M R E V I E W AUTU M N / W I NTE R 2 019
COMPUTING EPQ CYBER SECURITY SUCCESS Upper Sixth Form Cyber Security Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) students attended their graduation ceremony at The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park. Jack R, Gemma B, Thomas B, Ethan T and Daniel F were the first RGS students to participate in and complete this unique Qufaro and City & Guilds course, between them achieving four A*s and a B. As part of their graduation and in recognition of their achievement they were granted honorary membership to the prestigious Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec). Daniel F’s project on Cryptojacking was given further recognition by the course sponsors, Deloitte, who were impressed by his writing skills and knowledge. Having produced one of the five best essays from the 2018-2019 cohort, Daniel was awarded a prize and cash voucher. Nationally, only six A* grades were awarded. At the ceremony, students had the opportunity to network with representatives from Deloitte and CIISec.
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Evaluating methods of obtaining, analysing and preserving digital evidence using digital forensics. Cryptojacking: To what extent can this new form of malware damage and disrupt an organisation and what steps can be taken to minimise these dangers? To what extent should developers of devices that are part of the ‘Internet of Things’ improve device security against attack, and how does their security compare with regular computers? The ethical considerations of penetration testing and the tools used. Evaluating the effectiveness of current intrusion detection methods and how effective they actually are in preventing and identifying intrusions.
The EPQ is a Level 3 qualification, certified by City & Guilds, worth up to 28 UCAS points.
In the Lower Sixth Form students follow a course of independent study which may lead to a qualification. The EPQ in Cyber Security was offered for the first time in 2018-2019. This unique qualification was developed by a consortium of education and cyber security partners to help provide a starting point for those considering a career or with an interest in the field, with its content guided by the National Occupational Standards and CIISec Framework. Students learn about elements of cyber security, including cryptography and penetration testing (ethical hacking), before going on to choose an area of focus. For the inaugural year, the students completed the course choosing to write investigative and evaluative projects on the following:
RGS students receive their awards from Amanda Finch, CIISec, with Mr McCarten
Daniel F receiving his award from Androulla Karanicola, Deloitte 48