The GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters), has launched an app teaching students about code breaking and encryption. The app, which was launched by the digital security organisation and was designed by students on an industrial year placement, is a free, educational app, designed to be used by secondary school (Key Stage 4) students and their teachers. Besides teaching the basics of four encryption techniques (shift, substitution, vigenère and enigma), tech-savvy youngsters can also learn about the history of encryption and even have a crack at creating their own encrypted messages, which can be shared via social media and 'broken' by their friends.
The GCHQ has launched an app teaching students about code breaking and encryption
The app was originally created as part of a project to demonstrate encryption techniques at the Cheltenham Science Festival, but it proved such a hit that GCHQ eventually decided to release it publicly as a teaching aid. The app might use outdated examples of cryptography, but the design principles used are the same used by modern cryptographic designers, and GCHQ want this similarity to come across in the app. It also aims to demonstrate how much fun it can be to attempt to break a cryptographic design, and inspires young students to build on their cyber security skills.
The GCHQ is one of the three intelligence and security agencies in the UK that works alongside MI5 and MI6
GCHQ director Robert Hannigan, said that “Building maths and cyber skills in the younger generation is essential for maintaining the cyber security of the UK and growing a vibrant digital economy,” which is why he is “Keen for GCHQ to give something back through its work with school and universities.” He calls the 'Cryptoy' app, “A colourful, interactive way for students and their teachers to explore the fascinating world of cryptography,” and hopes it will “Inspire further study of this key topic, which has played such an important part in our past and is an invaluable part of our future.”
The app was designed by students on an industrial year placement
Launching the app at the third anniversary of the UK Cyber Security Strategy, minister for the cabinet office Francis Maude MP said; “Famously, the government recruited winners of a Daily Telegraph cryptic crossword competition to work at Bletchley Park. Today, I’m pleased to announce a similarly creative solution in the hunt for expertise, but with a 21st century spin.” Brian Higgins, schools programme manager for the cyber security challenge, meanwhile, called the app “An awesome piece of kit,” which “Merges historic cryptographic tools with contemporary devices and interactive delivery.” He says he will “Definitely be incorporating Cryptoy into the Cyber Security Challenge Schools Programme as well as its ‘Cyber Games’ competition stage,” and would “Gladly endorse the app to Code Clubs, Tech Future Girls and all the other resources currently available to the next generation of cyber security professionals in the UK.”
The app is currently only available on Android devices
The app is currently only available on Android devices, but it's hoped that an iOS version will be available in early 2015. The GCHQ is one of the three intelligence and security agencies in the UK that works alongside MI5 and MI6. The names of the students who designed the app have yet to be disclosed at the time of writing.
