Find your place in cyber.

How would you respond to a National Cyber Emergency?

Responding to a cyber incident is a complex task. There's considerations across business operations, technological response, government strategy, legal implications and more.

That's why future cyber leaders & teams need to be equipped to work multi-disciplinary. And why we encourage teams to form across multiple academic disciplines.

This competition is for students from any academic background with an interest in how technology affects national security.

You could be studying politics, law, computer science, geography or anything else. In 2025 we had students from 14 different subjects compete!

Why compete?

Gain experience.

This is a practice-based exercise. You will be briefing real professionals from industry & government, who do this for a living.

Meet employers.

Meet a variety of employers from the public & private sector, who are actively recruitment our competitors.

Discover the legal, political & strategic elements of cyber that are crucial to a successful career.

Explore a new side of cyber.

Competition Timeline.

Applications.

Oct - Dec 2025

University students form teams of 4 with support from an academic mentor and apply to the competition.

Regional Qualifiers.

Early Feb 2026

Teams put their skills to the test by presenting their response to Scenario Stage 1 to a panel of expert judges.

National Final.

Mid Mar 2026

The top 17 teams compete at the BT Tower, London to be crowned national champions in 3 rounds with increasing time pressure.

Ongoing Community.

All competitors are invited to join the Cyber Leaders Challenge Alumni community, supporting each other to progress in our cyber careers.

How to apply.

1. Review the eligibility criteria.

• Teams consist of 4 students studying on a Level 4 or above (Level 7 or above in Scotland) at a UK organisation.

  • This is anything beyond A-Levels or Scottish Highers so could be a university course, PhD or apprenticeship.

• All team members must be 18 years of age or older at the time of their Regional Qualifier in early February 2026.

• Teams are supported by a coach (usually a university lecturer or apprenticeship manager).

• Each team member must not have substantial professional experience in any industry that gives them a significant advantage in the competition.*

• Each team member must not have substantial professional experience in responding to a cyber incident or briefing C-Suite / senior management.*

* Full details are in the Rulebook & Eligibility Criteria.

If you have any questions or concerns, we strongly encourage you to get in touch via the form below.

2. Form your team.

1. Sign-up then invite your team members & coach to your team.

2. Each team member & your coach completes their personal details. Do this straight away so that our team can run the eligibility checks.

3. Complete your team details.

4. Answer the application questions.

   1. Why is your team excited to compete in the Cyber Leaders Challenge this year?

      Max 300 words or a 90 second video. Not scored.

      In a change from previous years, it is not required to introduce each team member individually in this question. We want to see your passion & enthusiasm to understand what you’d like to achieve or learn through the competition.

   2. Please choose only one of the following questions to respond to.

      Max 500 words. Scored.

      Option A | What has been the most significant achievement for the UK government with respect to keeping the UK secure in cyberspace and why?

      Option B | What is the most pressing cyber challenge that the UK faces and why?

      You may want to consider the Integrated Review, National Cyber Strategy or Government Cyber Security Strategy in your response.

5. Submit your application before 11:59am on Monday 15th December 2025.

The application platform will open in October 2025.

3. Apply on the application platform.

You should be aware that:

• Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged but not required.

• Team members can be in any year of study.

• Teams can be comprised of team members from multiple organisations.

• An organisation, such as a university or apprenticeship employer, can be represented by multiple teams and there is no limit.

Teams are encouraged to self-fund or secure funding from their university / employer for the Regional Qualifiers in February. There are 3 virtual Regional Qualifier days for teams that are unable to travel.

Finalist teams are required to attend the 2-day National Finals at the BT Tower, London in mid-March. A limited Supporting Access Fund will be made available where travel & accommodation costs are a concern.

Need help recruiting a team member or coach? Complete the register interest form.