The National Cybersecurity & Forensics Alliance (NCFA) is a student-led initiative founded at Sheffield Hallam University by Pedro Coelho, Selwan Balal, Grace Clowrey, and Fernando Teixeira. It was created to bring cybersecurity and digital forensics students together through a unified and collaborative network built on shared opportunities, resources, and national engagement.
Since launching, the NCFA has scaled rapidly, expanding to over 20 universities in just four months. What started as a Sheffield Hallam initiative has quickly developed into a wider national network, reflecting both the demand for stronger student collaboration and the strength of a student-led approach. The NCFA is supported by a strong inter-university leadership structure, with an executive team made up of students from multiple institutions. While it began at Sheffield Hallam, the demand for what was being built quickly drove its expansion nationwide.
This growth is supported by a number of core initiatives. The NCFA Ambassador Programme places student representatives across universities to strengthen local engagement and national coordination. Alongside this, the NCFA Mentorship Programme supports students as they progress towards industry, with a focus on accessibility, practical development, and real-world readiness. The alliance has also begun establishing international links, including a newly formed transatlantic bridge between UK and US institutions. This enables shared opportunities between the two regions, including collaborative cybersecurity competitions that bring students together across borders. One such event, a UK–US Capture The Flag (CTF), is taking place in April, marking an early step in connecting students internationally through practical and competitive learning.
At Sheffield Hallam, the NCFA continues to be driven by active student involvement. Minal Lilothia, Logan Mayall, Milosz Dembowski, Josh Taylor, and Josh Graham serve as ambassadors, representing the university within the wider network. Supporting this structure, Joe Waters serves as Senior Regional Ambassador, helping to coordinate activities and growth across the region. The NCFA also promotes hands-on and collaborative learning through practical events. Competitions such as the Sheffield Siege CTF bring students together to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges across areas including web security, cryptography, reverse engineering, and digital forensics.
How It Developed
When Pedro brought the NCFA together at Sheffield Hallam, the aim was simple: to improve communication among students across universities and to make collaboration easier.
As the idea developed, it became clear that students needed more than communication. There was a gap in structure, opportunities, and industry guidance. The NCFA grew into a broader network shaped by these needs, expanding into mentorship, events, international collaboration, and industry engagement.
A key part of this approach is “conditional sociability”. It recognises that those who socialise easily shape the environment for others, often unintentionally excluding those less likely to reach out. It also challenges the idea that people in tech are antisocial; most want to be involved but need the right conditions.
By being intentional about these environments, the NCFA aims to help more students participate, feel included, and feel valued.
