National Technologies Network meeting

Education Scotland convenes regular meetings with Local Authority leaders in technology called National Technologies Network meetings. I attended the meeting in Glasgow yesterday since cyber security was on the agenda.

I gave a presentation on national qualifications in this field. I focussed on the new National Unit Cyber Security Fundamentals (at SCQF Level 4) and the new NPAs in Cyber Security. I expressed my view that every young learner in Scotland should have the opportunity to take the National Unit since, in my view, it delivers essential skills.

There was an interesting debate about the relationship between online safety and cyber security, and some confusion around terminology. I have previously written about online safety, cyber security and digital literacy, expressing the view that online safety is part of cyber security, which is itself part of digital literacy. In the context of cyber security, online safety is often referred to as “cyber hygiene” (the personal aspects of cyber security) as distinct from the organisational and business aspects, which are referred to as “cyber resilience”. That nomenclature has been used in the qualifications and is, my in view, a useful way at distinguishing between the different aspects of computing.

Contact Helen if you want to know more about the awards in this area.

Bobby Published 11/12/2015