Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Wick High Pupils Receive SQA Cyber Security Award

7th January 2020

Photograph of Wick High Pupils Receive SQA Cyber Security Award

In the second year of running in the SQA's Award in Cyber Security Fundamentals Wick High is delighted that 37 S3 pupils received the award.

After spending two months learning about cyber security threats and how to defend against them, pupils sat an exam that covered both the theory and practical elements of the course. During the two months pupils set up their own Pi-Top devices (miniature computers running a Linux operating system) and secured them against multiple security threats.

Last year pupils hacked the school smart board and this year we decided to take things further and "hack" a teddy. Their tacher Mr Aitken said, "with the rise in internet connected devices, such as smart speakers, watches, vacuum cleaners and kids' toys I was looking for a way that would not only pique pupils' interest but also generate a discussion and reflection on the pervasive nature of these devices. It's quite difficult to buy toys with known security vulnerabilities for obvious reasons so I decided to build my own. I fitted a teddy with a camera, speaker and Raspberry Pi computer and configured it with various vulnerabilities that could be exploited by pupils and this turned out to be a huge success with pupils not only managing to hack into it but also surreptitiously get it to take a photo and email it to themselves. Some even managed to get the teddy to say phrases they’d recorded".

Digital industries in Scotland are growing and as such we should be preparing students to enter this sector, not only as cyber security experts but just as importantly, an awareness of security issues that can affect everyone.

Well done to everyone who gained their award.

PHOTO
Wick High School -
The successful students with their awards, flanked by Dr Grant, Rector, Miss Orr and Mr Aitken computing teachers.

 

Related Organisations

 

Related Articles

New Chair and Vice Chair for Highland Youth Parliament
The Highland Youth Parliament (HYP) has voted in a new Chair, Innes Morgan from Thurso and Vice Chair, Isaac Beckley from Glenurquhart, near Inverness.   The Highland Youth Parliament is the elected parliament for young people in the Highlands with over 100 elected members via schools and youth forums across the area.  
Wick High - Important Information For Online Learning Starting 11 January 2021Thumbnail for article : Wick High - Important Information For Online Learning Starting 11 January 2021
Wick High has issued the following information on the school web site.   Please see below important information regarding the arrangements for online learning to begin on Monday 11th January.  
Wick High School #Challenge60 for CLIC SargentThumbnail for article : Wick High School #Challenge60 for CLIC Sargent
Wick High School (both pupils and staff) are taking part in this year's #Challenge60 for CLIC Sargent.   Completing 60 miles throughout the month of September to support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  
Red Critter Awards Take Off At Wick HighThumbnail for article : Red Critter Awards Take Off At Wick High
From Mr Mackenzie Wick High School.   The month of May saw our school complete the first full month of using our new student rewards system RedCritter.  
Erin Green From Wick High One of the Volunteers Recognised High Life HighlandThumbnail for article : Erin Green From Wick High One of the Volunteers Recognised High Life Highland
High Life Highland recognised top performing volunteers last Thursday at its annual award ceremony held at Strathpeffer Pavilion.   The event saw volunteers from across the Highlands recognised for significant contributions to the charity, its clients and customers.  
Official Opening Of The Wick Community CampusThumbnail for article : Official Opening Of The Wick Community Campus
The official opening of the Wick Community Campus took place on a sunny Saturday 16 June 2018.  Lord Lieutenant John Thurso performed the unveiling of a plaque to mark the occasion.  
Wick High Pupils design app to encourage children to go outdoorsThumbnail for article : Wick High Pupils design app to encourage children to go outdoors
Two high school pupils have created an app designed to encourage children to enjoy the outdoors more often.  Mari-Ann Ganson and Ellora James, who are both 17, created Envirocache for an apps competition.  
Inside The New Wick High SchoolThumbnail for article : Inside The New Wick High School
The new Wick High School finally opened recently and today everyone was allowed to look around.   See the Photo Gallery link above.  
Teaching Makes People - Chris Aitken, Wick High SchoolThumbnail for article : Teaching Makes People - Chris Aitken, Wick High School
Recruitment campaign targets science, technology, engineering and maths.   The ‘Teaching Makes People' campaign targets university undergraduates studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects as well as people currently working in STEM industries.  
High Schools Compete In Rocket Car CompetitionThumbnail for article : High Schools Compete In Rocket Car Competition
Over 140 pupils from Thurso High School, Wick High School, Golspie High School and Tain Royal Academy descended upon North Highland College UHI's ETEC building last week to take part in The Bloodhound Project Model Rocket Car Challenge.  This is a global competition backed by Guinness World Records.