Cyber Switch Up 2025: Inspiring the Next Generation of Cyber Talent Across Yorkshire and Humber

Talented school students from across the region put their cyber skills to the test as part of the third annual Cyber Switch Up competition.

Talented school students from across the region put their cyber skills to the test as part of the third annual Cyber Switch Up competition.

Organised by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU) the flagship Cyber Prevent event for the region held its finals day last week at the University of Hull.

Cyber Switch Up continues to grow year on year, and 2025 was no exception.

An outstanding 5,216 young people aged 11 to 17 from schools and colleges across Humberside, North, South and West Yorkshire registered to take part.

Of these, 4,555 students (87%) competed in the Online Qualifier, demonstrating exceptional cyber skills, creativity, and determination.

From this talented pool, the top 75 finalists – that's 25 from each Key Stage (3, 4, and 5) - were invited to the live finals event in Hull.

The event welcomed over 200 attendees and finalists from more than 30 schools and colleges across Yorkshire and the Humber.

It also saw Amazon Web Services (AWS) joining as a first-time sponsor, providing invaluable support in planning, promotion, and on-the-day delivery.

The finals featured a full day of cyber challenges hosted by long-standing partners IBM, UK Civil Aviation Authority, The Royal Corps of Signals, and BAE Systems. Alongside the competition, a vibrant Exhibition Hall showcased career pathways and opportunities in cyber and digital industries, with contributions from partners including CirKits Ltd, the RAF - Cyberspace, RTC North, CyberFirst Yorkshire, the British Army’s - Intelligence Corps, Yorkshire Water, MiniVox, Creased Puddle, and AWS.

Attendees were also treated to inspiring keynote talks from industry leaders, including Michael Miller (AWS), Professor Neil Gordon (University of Hull), Stevan Parkin (MiniVox), Matthew Greaves (Yorkshire Water), and Leon McQuade (Think Cloud).

Winners and Runners-Up were crowned across all Key Stages:

Key Stage 3

Winner: Aimee Brett - Beverley High School, Humberside

Runner-Up: Iris Plaistow - Penistone Grammar School, South Yorkshire

Key Stage 4

Winner: Alexander Wright - Penistone Grammar School, South Yorkshire

Runner-Up: Jai Gadaira - Carr Manor Community School, West Yorkshire

Key Stage 5

Winner: Ben Griffith Jones - Wyke Sixth Form College, Humberside

Runner-Up: Archie Rawlins - Penistone Grammar School, South Yorkshire

All finalists received certificates and the coveted Cyber Switch Up Challenge Coins, while winners and runners-up took home trophies and tech prizes for themselves and their schools.

Sergeant Nathan Clarke of the YHROCU Cyber Prevent and Protect team, said:

“It was amazing to see so many talented and enthusiastic young people involved in this year’s competition. The finalists represent the top 1.5 per cent of all participants across the region, and witnessing their skills in action was truly inspiring. The future of our cyber security is in very capable hands.”

Plans for Cyber Switch Up 2026 are already under way and details will be announced early next year.