SCHOOL pupils from across the Highlands are stepping into the shoes of forensic computer analysts as they try to encrypt and decrypt top-secret messages.

They will do so in the style of Alan Turing – the man considered the father of modern computing and artificial intelligence.

Around 60 pupils from Inverness Royal and Tain Royal academies and Grantown Grammar are attending the event, part of Cyber Skills Programme launched by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) late last year to encourage pupils to become the cyber security gatekeepers of the future.

The event at the SDS Careers Centre, in Inverness, aims to shine a spotlight on cyber security and raise awareness of the abundance of career opportunities in the sector.

It will feature two workshops, with the first – My World of Work Live! – running an interactive “cracking cryptography” session, where pupils will try to decipher messages like the famous Enigma machine.

Sergeant Steve Gillies and Constable Gordon MacDonald from Police Scotland will host the second workshop and will offer guidance on how to stay safe online, as well as showcasing the cybercrime-fighting career opportunities in the national force.

Claire Gillespie, SDS key sector manager for digital skills, said: “Cyber security has a significant place in today’s digital world and this will continue to be the case for many years to come.

As a result, it’s absolutely critical that we educate and encourage our younger generations to consider a career in this exciting, fast-moving sector. Engaging, interactive events such as this one are a fantastic way of bringing the sector to life, while showcasing the endless career possibilities and opportunities that cyber security has to offer.”

Gillies said: “We are delighted to have been invited to participate in such an exciting event and are looking forward to delivering a presentation that we hope will enthuse and encourage the next generation into careers in the cyber industry.”