The South Australian Department for Education has partnered with Palo Alto Networks and CGI to bring CGI’s Cyber Escape Experience to Woodville High School in Adelaide.
This immersive experience is part of a broader effort to promote cyber safety and awareness among students across South Australia.
The experience allows students to learn about online safety, cyber security risks and careers in cyber security in a fun and interactive environment.
CGI, one of the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world, is providing its Cyber Escape Experience. The CGI Cyber Escape is facilitated in a purpose-built 40ft long shipping container that combines the fun of an escape room with the themes of cyber security. It provides interactive examples of why IT security needs to be a regular consideration at school, work and at home.
South Australia’s Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Mr Blair Boyer said cyber threats are on the rise.
“We need to be educating South Australia’s next generation of experts to handle them. That starts now. The Government is committed to investing in young people and building the pathways to cater for huge projects we have coming online in this state in the next few years – including the AUKUS project where we will need young people skilled in cyber security.
“We are building new technical colleges specifically with those demands in mind, and offering new Flexible Industry Programs (FIPs) within schools to support students, key industries and employers.
“Additionally, leveraging the growing popularity of escape rooms is an innovative way to make sure our kids are learning about cyber safety in an engaging way that lets them have fun,” he said.
Ms Anna Mirasgentis, Principal of Woodville High School, said the escape room presents an exciting opportunity for students and aligns with the school’s strategic direction.
“At Woodville High School we are shifting to focus not just on what students know, but on what they can do and who they can be.
“After looking at what our students were doing after they left school, we identified that a significant number were choosing to study IT, so we have entered a partnership with TAFESA to offer a Certificate III in Information Technology with a Cybersecurity Pathway.
“This Cyber Security escape room is a perfect opportunity for our current Year 9 and 10 students in particular, to experience and understand the power and impact of AI personally and its impact on global security,” Ms Mirasgentis said.
Mr Steve Manley, Vice President, Australia & New Zealand at Palo Alto Networks said the company is passionate about fostering a culture of cyber awareness from an early age.
“By partnering with CGI and the South Australian Department for Education, we’re equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
“Initiatives like the Cyber Escape Experience are not only critical for enhancing online safety but also for inspiring the next generation of cybersecurity leaders who will protect our digital way of life,” he said.
Mr Tony Nicholls, Director Space, Defence and Intelligence at CGI in Australia said the firm is delighted to be taking part in this initiative.
“Our Cyber Escape is an immersive experience that will resonate with students as they learn to navigate their personal cyber security risks online. We aim to inspire many of the students to pursue a career in STEM that contributes to Australia’s national security,” he said.
CGI’s Cyber Escape Experience will be transported around Australia to different locations.
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