C1b3rWall project - Spain
Cybersecurity is a topic that has grown in importance in recent years - and this trend is here to stay as the pace of digitalisation keeps speeding up. With cyber attacks and digital threats going up in quantity (and becoming more sophisticated), know-how related to protecting our networks and computer systems is crucial.
The C1b3rWall Academy project goes back to 2017 and the National Police Academy (Spain) to disseminate the culture of cybersecurity, associated technological disciplines and strengthen cybercrime prevention. The objective is to train all citizens and professionals in the field of digital security in both the private and public sectors, with academic, institutional and business collaboration. C1b3rWall Academy is a training action integrated within the C1b3rWall Project of the National Police c1b3rwall.policia.es.
About C1b3rWall
Building on the excellence established by the Academy, a refined C1b3rWall cybersecurity course was launched in 2023 by the National Police of Spain, in partnership with ICT and cyber experts, against this backdrop. Fully online, the training program is a unique opportunity for those, interested in boosting their knowledge of computer and network security, and online protection strategies. The aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of the risks and threats one may encounter online, as well as the best practices to protect oneself against them.
With 15 modules, the course covers a wide range of topics, from an introduction to cybersecurity to more advanced areas such as cryptography, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrency security. Course modules are carefully designed by cybersecurity experts and presented in a video format, which helps make learning more engaging and understandable, and facilitates the assimilation of key concepts on the students' part. Upon successful completion, students receive a diploma to certify the knowledge and skills acquired in the domain of cybersecurity.
Why is this a good practice?
In previous editions of C1b3rWall Academy 2021-22 and C1b3rWall Academy 2022-23, there was an average participation of more than 110 speakers and a demand with an average of 31,000 people per course and peaks of over 40,000 students (from more than 80 countries). The 2024 edition of the training was coordinated by the University of Salamanca and the National Police. More than 8500 people registered for the 2024 edition of the event in its face-to-face format, and almost 7600 people streamed it live. That same year saw a total of 286 presentations/workshops given and 298 speakers, all experts in cybersecurity area, from both private companies and public institutions. As of 2024, students, who successfully pass the training, may also apply for a diploma of completion of the training with the Hague Apostille, boosting their subsequent chances for employment. The 2025 edition dealt with the topic "Trusted security" and coincided with the 5th anniversary of the Central Cybercrime Unit (UCC) in Spain.
