The Defence Cyber Academy (DCA), part of the Defence College for Military Capability Integration, is responsible for delivering specialist cyber training, broader cyber education and engagement with other government departments, international partners, industry and academia.
Specialist cyber training and education is delivered through the Cyber Foundation Pathway (CFP) as a sequential modular programme that provides students with cyber awareness within defence and wider government, contextualising the UK national approach to cyber and introducing key areas of understanding.
In 2022, Corporal Ben Clarke joined the DCA as a Cyber Foundation Pathway trainer, most recently supporting the Advanced Attack and Defence Module – one of ten pathway modules.
CFP Module 6 offers hands-on and scenario-based training to develop students with essential skills and knowledge before they move into more specialised roles. Using virtual environments students focus on attack and defence techniques including, how to implement firewall rules, build a Virtual Private Network (VPN), and develop understanding of network security.
Emphasising the ‘safe to fail’ motto, students are allowed to apply theoretical concepts to real-world challenges using virtual labs without the risk of real-life repercussions. The course also offers a range of accessible learning styles, catering to a diverse background of students.
The CFP supports defence by upskilling personnel who are either entering or advancing within cyber roles to be prepared to meet the challenges of the future, as technology evolves. We also train and educate personnel who may not have a direct cyber role but are keen to understand the basics, fostering a more cyber-aware culture across defence.
Outside DCA’s course portfolio they also support the wider mission of the Defence Academy’s Staff Officers course by facilitating the Cyber Board Game. Developed by Dstl, the board game helps participants understand the complexities of cyber operations in a strategic and engaging way.