Beazley host 2025 UK Cyber Leaders Challenge runners-up.

Written by the Cy-Borough team from the University of Loughborough

In early 2025, we took part in the UK Cyber Leaders Challenge and it turned out to be one of the most eye-opening experiences we’ve had. It gave us the chance to meet brilliant people doing fascinating work in cybersecurity, explore how cyber operates on a global scale, and access opportunities we would never have known about otherwise. One of the biggest highlights was a two-day visit to Beazley, a leading insurance firm specialising in cyber risk.

Cyber on a Global Stage

Before the challenge, our understanding of cybersecurity was fairly basic - we knew about phishing, passwords, and the odd headline about data breaches. Through the Cyber Leaders Challenge, we realised how much more there is to it. Cyber isn’t just a technology issue - it’s about protecting businesses, governments and individuals across the world. It affects everything from finance to national security.

One of the most inspiring parts of the experience was meeting cyber professionals who are genuinely passionate about what they do - intelligence analysts, policy experts and risk consultants to name a few. They shared insights into how their work is helping to shape the future of the digital domain, and it really opened our eyes to just how many career paths exist in this field.

Access to Rare Opportunities

One of the best things the challenge gave us was access to experiences we wouldn’t normally get, especially as students just starting to explore the cyber world. As Runners Up in the 2025 competition, we were invited to spend two days at Beazley’s London office, getting a first-hand look at how cyber risk is managed within a global organisation. It was an opportunity that not only deepened our understanding but gave us a realistic view of what a career in this space could look like.

Two Days & Two Perspectives

Day One: Insurance Team & Lloyd’s of London
The first day was spent with Beazley’s insurance team. In the morning, we had sessions that introduced us to how insurance works - focusing on the context of cyber threats. We discussed the nature of risks that can be covered, how incidents are assessed and why insurance is so important in helping organisations bounce back from cyberattacks.

After lunch, we were taken on a tour of the historic Lloyd’s of London building - a central pillar of the global insurance market. Witnessing the trading floors and learning about the history & structure of Lloyd’s made the insurance world feel much more tangible. It was surprising to discover just how much can be insured, from data centres to chest hair, and how vital insurance is in keeping the modern world running.

Day Two: Beazley Security & OSINT Challenge
The second day was spent with Beazley Security, where we took part in several practical sessions - including an OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) challenge. This involved using publicly available information to piece together clues in a simulated investigation, showing us how this kind of intelligence can be used to track threats and respond to cybercrime.

It was challenging, collaborative and a bit shocking when we realised how much useful (and potentially dangerous) information is out there in the public domain. Alongside the hands-on activities, we had some great conversations about cybercrime, digital ethics and what it’s like to work in this kind of high-pressure environment.

What's next for us?

Moving forward, we’ll make sure to stay connected with the people we met during the challenge. Whether it’s to stay informed about the cyber space, reaching out for advice or exploring potential internships & job opportunities. We want to continue learning from their experience and remain part of the wider cyber community that we’ve been introduced to.

Final Thoughts

Taking part in the Cyber Leaders Challenge, and spending time with Beazley, has genuinely shaped how we see the world of cybersecurity. It’s helped us understand how broad and important this field is and shown us that there’s a real place for young people to get involved and make a difference.

Furthermore, the 2 days at Beazley helped us truly appreciate how transferable the skills developed during the Cyber Leaders Challenge are across a broad range of industries – including insurance.

If you’re even slightly curious about cyber, we’d wholeheartedly recommend seeking out future opportunities like this and applying to the Cyber Leaders Challenge when it reopens in September. It’s changed the way we view cyber and it’s helped us take our first real steps in to a cyber career, that we’re excited to keep exploring.

Cy-Borough team (University of Loughborough) at Lloyd’s of London

Cy-Borough team enjoying a briefing during the visit day

Cy-Borough team with their hosts, Beazley