Looking back at the 2025 UK Cyber Leaders Challenge

After a fantastic two days at the iconic BT Tower in London, the 2025 UK Cyber Leaders Challenge has concluded!

The top 17 teams representing universities across the UK competed in the National Finals. All 17 put their skills to the test responding to an update to the scenario with the top 10 progressing to the Semi-Finals. With just overnight to prepare their response to a further scenario update, the teams relied on their collaboration & work done prior to the event to make the most of their time.

On the afternoon of Day 2 of the event, the top 3 teams went on to compete in the Grand Final Round in front of a panel of VIP Judges. Thank you to all the judges for giving their time to support the competition, with a special thanks to our VIP Judges:

• Irfan Hemani | Deputy Director for Cyber Security, DSIT

• Dr Mary Haigh | Global Chief Information Security Officer, BAE Systems

• Yasemin Mustafa | Security Product Director, BT

• Paul Chichester CMG | Director of Operations, NCSC

• Pete Cooper | General Manager, EMEA, Customer Security Management Office, Office of the CISO, Microsoft and Cyber Leaders Challenge Chairman

In a tightly fought contest with we are thrilled to announce that bl00msbury_blizz4rd representing University College London are the 2025 UK Cyber Leaders Challenge Champions. Congratulations also go to the runners up, Cy-Borough from Loughborough University and third place Port Patrol representing Aston University & the University of Birmingham.

All of the finalist teams performed incredibly well, delivering a professional final Briefing to the judges despite only having 15-minutes to react to the latest update to the scenario.

1st

bl00msbury_blizz4rd

University College London

3rd

Port Patrol

Aston University & University of Birmingham

2nd

Cy-borough

Loughborough University

Throughout the event, we witnessed some stand-out performances with Cybersauri (University of Warwick) delivering the Best Briefing, SecCy_W0rm$ (University College London) creating the Best Briefing Note, Ctrl Alt Elite (Imperial College London; University of Edinburgh; University of Glasgow; Royal Holloway, University of London) demonstrating the Best Teamwork and Guardians of the Grid (University of Oxford; University of Leeds; University of Southampton; University of Portsmouth) demonstrating their potential by winning The Future COBR Briefers Award.

The National Finals wasn't solely about winning though. Alongside the main competition, the two days were crammed full of career development sessions with keynotes, workshops, mentoring sessions and a careers fair. Each day concluded with a drinks reception at the top of the BT Tower, taking in breathtaking views across London.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time to support & participate in the 2025 competition. It was wonderful to see & be part of some incredible conversations and connections being made.

For now, our team are taking a well-earned rest. Over summer, preparations will begin for an even bigger 2026 UK Cyber Leaders Challenge. We hope to see you there!