October is Cyber Security Awareness month and Dr Cephas Mpungu, Programme Leader and Lecturer in Cyber Security explains why human skills are still needed in this area despite the rise of AI...
AI is changing how cyber security work gets done. For students considering a career in the field, that raises an important question: what should you learn when technology can already perform some of the tasks once given to junior professionals?
My answer is that strong foundations matter more than ever. In my recent appearance on the Cyber Heard podcast, Killing the Foundation: The Broken Cyber Pipeline, I discussed why we must protect the opportunities through which students become capable professionals.
AI can support your work, but you still need the knowledge to question its answers. Understanding networks, operating systems and how systems communicate helps you recognise when an output is incorrect or a proposed solution is unsuitable. My advice to students is to learn to work above AI: use it to strengthen your capabilities while continuing to develop your own critical thinking and judgement.
At the University of Winchester, we combine that grounding with opportunities to apply it. I see university as a rehearsal before stepping onto the professional stage. During rehearsals, students can make mistakes, understand what happened and improve. On the real stage, errors can carry serious consequences for organisations and the people who depend on them.
Dr Cephas Mpungu, Programme Leader and Lecturer in Cyber Security at the University of Winchester
That is why we are bringing elements of workplace experience into university through platforms such as TryHackMe and simulated environments that mimic professional challenges. Alongside our dedicated cyber security and forensics laboratory, these opportunities help students connect theory with practice, investigate problems and build confidence in controlled settings.
Keeping that learning relevant also means staying connected to developments in industry and the wider cyber security landscape. We bring current examples into teaching and encourage students to remain curious about emerging technologies, threats and the areas they hope to specialise in.
Preparation goes beyond technical skills. Communication, teamwork, time management and responsibility all matter when working with colleagues or explaining a security concern. University gives students opportunities to practise these skills and demonstrate them through assessed work.
We also support students pursuing industry placements and developing personal portfolios. A project, home lab or documented investigation can show employers how a student thinks, what they have learned and where they have taken initiative.
Our final-year capstone project provides four routes:
Students can pursue research, work with a host organisation, undertake consultancy or develop a sustainable business idea, connecting their learning with their ambitions.
Developing the next generation requires universities and employers to work together. At Winchester, our role is to build strong foundations and create meaningful opportunities to practise, helping students move from an interest in cyber security towards the confidence and capability to contribute professionally.
Earlier this year the University of Winchester received £364,000 to expand its BSc Cyber Security undergraduate intake from the beginning of this academic year (2026-27) and to employ a new Defence Cyber Schools Engagement Lead to establish links with colleges to create a pathway into an enhanced Cyber Security course designed to align with defence industry requirements outlined in the UK Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CYBOK). Read more about this funding programme HERE.
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