SEC595: Applied Data Science and AI/Machine Learning for Cybersecurity Professionals
SEC595Cyber Defense, Artificial Intelligence
SANS Community Benefits
Connect, learn, and share with other cybersecurity professionals
Delivering National Impact
SANS delivered the UK Cyber Team programme from March 2024 to 2026 to identify exceptional talent and prepare them for international competition, strengthening the UK’s advanced cyber capability. The programme transformed emerging talent into confident international competitors through high-performance competition, industry-led training, coaching, and embedded wellbeing support. Over 1,300 young people applied nationwide, with 30 ultimately selected to represent the UK. Backed by more than 45 industry organisations, the initiative created a structured national pathway for advanced 18–25-year-olds and re-established UK representation in international cyber competition.
Meet the UK Cyber Team
This extraordinary team rose through the ranks of the UK Cyber Team Competition, culminating in the Live Final in January 2025, where they showcased their talent, determination, and innovative problem-solving skills.
As the nation's top cybersecurity talent, the team tackled complex challenges, demonstrated their expertise, and made the UK proud on the global stage in the European Cybersecurity Competitions and Zero Days CTF.
Meet the full squad:
Alana Witten, Sasha Shaw, Alice Conibere, Millie Ellis-Webber, Andrej Ljubic, Cameron Howes, Daisy Mallion, Eddie Hart, Emily Dennison, Finlay Richardson, Finley Denton, Imogen Bartin, Isaac Badipe, Isaac Richardson, Isaiah Rennalls (Team Captain), James Harvey, Joseph Bunce, Katy Harrington (Team Captain), Lewis Clarke, Nicholas Gregory, Nils Andre, Oliver Tafe, Reva Banthiya, Sam Leonard, Smitha Bhabal, Sourish Sharma, Tallie Blanshard.
November 2024: Round One: Online CTF (BootUp!)
Round One was a 24-hour online CTF designed to be accessible to participants with a wide range of experience. Challenges covered key cyber disciplines, including web exploitation, forensics, cryptography, reverse engineering, and network analysis. Participants could attempt challenges in any order and were supported by an active online community.
December 2024: Round Two: Extended Online CTF
Round Two ran flexibly over six weeks, allowing participants to complete a 48-hour CTF at a time that suited them. Leaderboards were removed to encourage learning and development, and participants could access personalised dashboards to support improvement.
January 2025: Round Three: UK Cyber Team Competition: Live Final
The Live Final was delivered as a high-energy, esports-style event. Participants worked in teams to solve a narrative-driven CTF while being evaluated on technical, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. Icebreakers, networking, and shared social activities helped build a strong sense of community, with on-site sponsor engagement and volunteer industry assessor support.
February 2025: Team Selection
The final UK Cyber Team was selected by a panel representing DSIT, SANS, and programme partners. Selection considered: - Technical capability across multiple cyber disciplines - Teamwork, communication, and leadership - Eligibility for international competition
March 2025 – January 2026: Training, Coaching, and International Competition
Following team selection, UK Cyber Team members entered an intensive programme of training, coaching, and international competition designed to prepare them for elite-level Capture the Flag events. Activity combined technical depth, international collaboration, and real-world exposure to industry and competition environments.
June – September 2025: Friendly International CTFs
Between June and September 2025, the UK Cyber Team practised at an international level through a series of friendly and competitive Capture the Flag events. These included the Team Italy National Qualifier, ENOWARS Attack and Defence CTF, the Team Ireland National Qualifier, international scrimmages, competing alongside Team Europe, and the FAUST Attack and Defence CTF. Together, these events strengthened technical depth, team coordination, and familiarity with international competition formats.
Zero Days CTF: Irish Colleges Cyber-Security Challenge March 2025 | Dublin, Ireland
The UK Cyber Team made its international debut at Zero Days CTF in Dublin, competing at Croke Park against 300+ participants from 128 teams. Fielding three squads - UKCT Elite, UKCT Discovery, and UKCT Team 3 - they all placed in the top 9%, with UKCT Elite securing 2nd place overall.
European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC) October 2025 | Warsaw, Poland
After a 6-year hiatus, the UK Cyber Team returned to ECSC, Europe’s flagship cyber competition hosted by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), joining 38 nations for four days of high-stakes Jeopardy and Attack/Defence challenges. Just eight months into team formation, the UK placed 22nd overall.
A standout moment saw one UK team member capture the first flag of the entire competition in just four minutes, a remarkable feat that set the tone for a committed and determined performance.
