CGI has brought its very own escape room-style Cyber Escape experience to Edinburgh and the Borders.

The experience was first based at its offices in Tweedbank, then moved to Edinburgh Napier University for several days, before heading to Atlantic Quay in Leith in time for Cyber Scotland Week.

Designed and tailored to complement existing security awareness training, it gives all those who take part a practical opportunity to test their knowledge with the guidance of cyber security experts from CGI.

Techniques worked on include everything from protecting their privacy and creating strong passwords, to physical security, device and document handling and navigating social media – all learned in an enjoyable, interactive, team-building way.

The Cyber Escape experience has been safely built within a mobile unit, and provides a ‘unique’ approach to learning about cyber safe practices. The unit allows for groups of up to six people to test their critical cyber skills in a simulated real-world setting through interactive activities.

Over the past fortnight the experience allowed people working for a host of organisations, including Skills Development Scotland and Edinburgh Napier University, to test their cyber knowledge so that they can continue to act as a ‘human firewall’ protecting their organisation.

For SDS’s Borders staff, the experience provided an opportunity to pass on the importance of this cyber knowledge to the pupils in secondary schools throughout the Borders who they support to build their employability skills and career journey into further learning opportunities and employment.

Staff at Edinburgh Napier University also enjoyed the unique approach to learning about cyber safe practices, which they said led to “new conversations about secure behaviour”.

Lindsay McGranaghan, Senior Vice President Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “Our Cyber Escape experience is an excellent and accessible way to learn the key fundamentals of cyber security. It uses real-world interaction as a way to reinforce the learning it advocates, so that those who take part will learn very quickly and effectively what they need to do to protect themselves from would-be hackers.”

Claire Gillespie, Sector Manager for Digital Technologies at SDS, said: “Cyber security is an increasing priority for employers of all sizes and across all sectors, forming a fundamental part of their digital skills needs.

“SDS is working to help employers meet those needs, but as an employer ourselves we also recognise the importance of supporting colleagues to enhance their skills and awareness. The CGI Cyber Escape experience is a useful addition to that support, illustrating why so many businesses view this as a priority area.”

Graeme Hamilton, Information Security Manager at Edinburgh Napier University, said; “Like many other organisations, Edinburgh Napier University faces challenges in making security awareness engaging for our staff. Therefore, we gladly accepted CGI’s offer of the Cyber Escape experience and have not been disappointed that we did. Not only have people had fun participating, but this has led to new conversations about secure behaviour and hopefully a positive shift in our security culture.”

CGI is one of the world’s largest IT and business consulting services companies, working with multiple sectors in both the private and public sector. From telecoms to space, CGI works to support organisations as they innovate, modernise, and maintain secure solutions.