The CyberWomen@SHU initiative, in collaboration with the East and South Yorkshire Computing Hub, hosted the Mystery Manor Event at Sheffield Hallam University, captivating young girls' minds from schools across the region. The day-long event aimed to introduce students to the exciting world of cybersecurity through interactive activities and challenges, leaving a positive and lasting impression on participants.
The event drew 86 attendees from seven schools, Wales High School, Stocksbridge High School, Tapton School, Fallibroome Academy, UTC Sheffield City Centre, Trinity Academy St. Edward's, and King Ecgbert School. It featured a variety of tasks, with "Salena's Laptop Pin" emerging as the crowd favourite, engaging 34.9% of participants. Other highlights included activities involving binary codes, ciphers, and crosswords, each providing hands-on experience in problem-solving and digital forensics.
Feedback showed strong support for the initiative, with over 94% of participants praising the CyberWomen@SHU ambassadors for their warm welcome and helpful guidance. Furthermore, 86% of attendees rated the activities as "Very Good." Notably, the event sparked interest in cybersecurity careers among many participants. While 8.1% expressed a "Very Strong" interest, this highlights the potential for similar events to inspire future cybersecurity professionals.
As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important in today’s digital world, events like Mystery Manor are crucial in inspiring the next generation of experts and breaking down barriers for women and underrepresented groups in cybersecurity.