Thread by @KyleInCyber

My WorldSkills Journey @WorldSkills
A little over a year ago, I was approached by my lecturer to enter a new WorldSkills competition, Cyber Security. At this point in my studies, I had no experience with CTFs and with only 3 weeks to prepare, I had my work cut out for me. (1/31)

After 3 weeks of hard training, I entered my regional WorldSkills competition. Coming SECOND, I was invited to compete at the national competition at the NEC. I had trained intensively for 3 weeks but to be told I placed that high in the country? I was astonished! (2/31)

My training continued along my final assignments in college, working most days during the summer and starting my first year of uni. During this time, I had learnt so much, which was my original and primary goal. And then the national competition came along. It was hard. (3/31)

It was so much fun, but I had to learn fast. Manual pages and the "?" command saved the day. I learnt on the go. In the end, I came 4th, so I believed my journey would end there. However, as my score was extremely close to the top three, I was invited onto SQUAD UK! (4/31)

My Squad UK training started in January 2019 with Team Selection coming in April. I trained with 3 other skilled competitors Mateusz, Ruairidh and Adrian under our Training Manager Suresh at @Nescot. We had less than 4 months to show we could reach an international standard(5/31)

During Squad UK training, I had additional support from @ISEinWales @mrsgrocks1 who helped arrange additional training with @dicktonyboy, @USWCybers staff, @wolfberrycs and @CyberWales. (6/31)

Team Selection arrived. The 3 amazing people I trained with for the past 3-4 months were now my competition. The competition took place over 3 days.
Day 1: Infrastructure hardening
Day 2: Digital Forensic Analysis and
Day 3: CTF on two machines
(7/31)

The first day was fun, and my additional training came in handy. The second day was challenging as I expected. The final day was my favourite day!😉 Overall, I felt I did well, and I was proud of myself. However, only time would tell how I did against my competitors. (8/31)

The time came to announce the members of Team UK who would go and represent The UK at @WorldSkillsKZN. The four of us were asked to join members of @worldskillsuk in a room on the side of the main hall. As I walked in with my competition, the room fell silent. (9/31)

We eagerly awaited the announcement of which of us were going to join Team UK. I was happy with how far I'd come and either way I knew I had given it my all and that was good enough. (10/31)

They then began "You have all worked so hard, and the decision was very close. So, we have decided to invite Kyle Woodward and Adrian Cybulski to Join Team UK" I became frozen with joy. I couldn't believe it! After all my hard work, it had finally paid off! (11/31)

I wanted to run out and scream at the top of my lungs. I was thrilled, to say the least. I thanked @worldskillsuk for the opportunity and eagerly walked out to my grandparents and brother, who had to come to show support and told them the news. I couldn't stop smiling. (12/31)

But I had more work to put in to compete at @WorldSkillsKZN in less than 5 months time. This was where I met even more fantastic people and had further life-changing experiences. Alongside training with Suresh, I had an overwhelming amount of support. (13/31)

@USWCybers helped Adrian and I by providing further training and resources around digital forensic analysis. The @NCCGroupplc in Manchester supported us with additional in-depth training in digital forensics. Their other team based in Leatherhead trained us in CTF tactics.(14/31)

@ISEinWales and @PervadeJohn worked together to reach out and get training for me from @CyberWales.
@NWSSP's Nick Lewis kindly spared time to train me in securing code, pentesting methods and in depth Windows tricks! (15/31)

I was honoured to have two of Wales' cyber clusters set aside their monthly meetings to help me and share resources. I had the entire of Wales' cybersecurity ecosystem behind me. I even had a road trip of Wales with @PervadeJohn who kindly drove me up to @NorthWalesCyber. (16/31)

Through John and @ISEinWales I was able to request a course from @SANSEMEA. We honestly didn't expect their reply. They offered me a course at their #PentestHackfestEU in Berlin along with a ticket for both the summit as well as their @SANSNetWars event! (17/31)

I met absolutely fantastic people and learnt so much! I gained valuable experience that will seriously assist me in my future career. But most importantly, I had the time of my life. (18/31)

Before we set off to Kazan, Team UK were welcomed into The House of Commons for our enamel presentations. Here I had the pleasure of meeting @KevinBrennanMP (19/31)

My final training took me up to Glasgow to train with Adrian at his college @Glasgow_Clyde. We packed in a few last minute training to touch up what we needed to go over. The morning before I caught my flight home we went around to see the beauty of Scotland. (20/31)

After all our hard work, it was time for Team UK to head to @WorldSkillsKZN to compete against other nations. (21/31)

We arrived late at the Village. We never looked around that night. Our main goal was to get a nice sleep after a long day of travelling! (22/31)

The first day was packed full of things to do! We had a chance to explore the village. We then had the flag rising ceremony. (23/31)

We then had a tour of Kazan and an insight into its history and culture! Including 1 School 1 Country where we had the pleasure of meeting School Number 9! I am so glad we had the chance to see this gorgeous city (24/31)

And then there was the Opening Ceremony. It blew our socks off. Such an inspiring night. It is a night I will not soon forget. (25/31)

Four Days of tough and exciting competition against the best of the best. Each day with its own challenges, each teaching us something new. I could tell this would be a tough competition, and I was going to give it my all. Everything built up to this week.(26/31)

Although I had done my best, unfortunately, I did not achieve a medal or medallion. But I have to be honest, it was the best experience of my life, and if I had to do it all again and still have the same result, I would do in a heartbeat. (27/31)

It was my pleasure to compete against such bright and inspiring people. I hope we all keep in contact in the years ahead and good luck to you all in your future careers. (28/31)

To WorldSkillsUK and Team UK, thank you for all your support. I will not forget it! It was a delight to meet you all! (29/31)

To everyone who supported me and gave me training, thank you so much, I sincerely appreciate it! I would also thank my family, Peter Franklin @cybercavc and @mrsgrocks1, who have had my back since the beginning. (30/31)

To anyone who is considering entering WS. If you're competitive then great, go for it! But if you are like me and get intimidated by the word competition then just think of it as a way to grow, learn and have fun. You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain! (31/31)