Photo: Craig Ford, cybersecurity expert and award-winning author, inspiring the next generation through fiction and cyber education.
Breaking Stereotypes And Inspiring Young Minds With Cyber Education
Cybersecurity expert Craig Ford transitions into fiction, creating award-winning books like Foresight and The Shadow World to inspire young women, teach cyber safety, and challenge outdated tech stereotypes.
Craig Ford is a force to be reckoned with—equal parts cyber expert, educator, and imaginative storyteller. With a background deeply rooted in cybersecurity, Ford has taken an extraordinary leap from technical writing into the dynamic world of young adult fiction and children’s literature. His award-winning books Foresight and The Shadow World don’t just entertain—they educate, empower, and ignite curiosity in readers of all ages, particularly young women and children often left out of conversations about technology.
A visionary author blending tech expertise and storytelling to educate, empower, and reshape perceptions of cybersecurity for future generations.
Ford’s journey into fiction began with a mission. “Foresight was born out of a desire to encourage more young women to take an interest in cybersecurity,” he shared in an interview with Mosaic Digest Magazine. His protagonist, Samantha, is a teenage hacker who shatters stereotypes. “I wanted to show readers that cyber is cool, it’s not just a boys’ club,” Ford explained. By crafting a relatable, skilled female lead, he challenges outdated perceptions of hackers while making the field accessible to a new generation.
Authenticity was key in developing Samantha’s character. Ford drew from real-world experience but acknowledged the importance of balancing realism with engagement. “You can’t have a reader engaged if a hack takes six months to achieve,” he quipped. His goal? To dismantle the “hacker in a hoodie” trope and prove cybersecurity is diverse, dynamic, and open to all.
Beyond YA fiction, Ford co-authored The Shadow World, a children’s book teaching cyber safety to kids as young as five. “Teaching kids how to safely navigate the online world is super important,” he emphasized. The book’s success—quickly hitting bestseller status and earning awards—validates his approach: instilling good habits early to combat the “lifetime of bad habits” many adults struggle to unlearn.
Recognition from the Independent Press Award and others has amplified Ford’s mission. “These awards help drive my goal to educate the world on cyber safety,” he said. They’ve also bolstered his new cyber education platform, which offers essential awareness tools for families, seniors, and small businesses.
As a male author writing female protagonists in male-dominated fields, Ford prioritized authenticity. “I have five sisters, so I have a little insight,” he joked, crediting his editor for ensuring his portrayal resonated. His commitment to representation reflects a broader push for inclusivity in tech and literature alike.
Looking ahead, Ford plans to explore emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and autonomous vehicles in future works. “It’s a very interesting world we’re living in,” he mused, acknowledging the rapid pace of innovation. Whether through novels or educational content, his focus remains on inspiring curiosity and preparedness in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Craig Ford’s unique blend of expertise and creativity proves storytelling can be a powerful tool for change. By breaking barriers and sparking conversations, he’s not just writing books—he’s shaping the future of cybersecurity, one reader at a time.
Source: Mosaic Digest Magazine
EDITOR’S CHOICE
A thrilling, intelligent debut with a fierce heroine and gripping cyber intrigue—Foresight is a must-read for tech fiction lovers.
