CyberCamp - Hungary
With CyberCamp, Hungary is pioneering an intensive training program for people, who want to work in cybersecurity, and build a career in the field - but do not necessarily have much time at their disposal. In just 6 months, prospective candidates can go from enthusiasts about the field of IT security to confident experts and embark on a future-proof and forward-looking career path.
Background and context
Information security is becoming a common concern, gaining more and more importance as the days pass. From phishing messages and alerts that one's password has been hacked, through various malware attacks, to extortion emails that require you to pay a certain amount unless you want your sensitive information released out on the Internet. Malicious attacks online have gone a long way the start of the world wide web, and cybersecurity experts are skilled professionals, equipped with all the skills one needs to protect their data properly. As digital technologies are developing more and more, Europe (and the world) is facing a shortage of cybersecurity professionals - and companies report key vacancies going unfilled. This is also linked to the Digital Decade target of reaching 20 million ICT specialists in Europe and poses a challenge.
A number of European Commission communications, vision papers, and policy initiatives have focused on raising awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and information protection, offering training for employees and SME managers, and training advanced digital experts. Yet, more effort in the form of initiatives and actions is needed to address the cyber gap.
CyberCamp at a glance
CyberCamp is Hungary's first widely available complex training for people, who want to become professionals in the field of cybersecurity. All one needs is an interest in the world of IT, and a computer. Some experience from any other sector can also be helpful here. Offered to full beginners, the program aims to bring learners up to speed with the main trends in the field of cybersecurity, and provide tangible knowledge in less than a year.
Together with tech skills, the program also fosters the development of soft skills and skillsets gaining increased traction in the IT world. Students go through an extensive curriculum focused around key topics. A big emphasis is placed on practice too, through providing relatable examples that help to illustrate how fundamental security processes work. Each CyberCamp edition delves into themes and modules like IT basics, basics of information security, preventing malicious attacks, monitoring and management of security incidents, and career development.
Why is this a good practice?
In 2023, Fortix (the Hungarian company behind the training program) and CyberCamp won the prestigious Hungarian Brands Awards, securing the category of "Most innovative brand of 2023".
CyberCamp places a big focus on the right instructors and teachers for the program. All trainers and lecturers are also experienced practitioners and experts in their field, so learners always have access to a combination of the latest knowledge from academia and industry at the same time. The program also scores high in accessibility: despite the fact that physical presence is needed to complete the training and make use of its practical exercises, hybrid methods like online education and e-learning materials give an added layer of flexibility. This also facilitates knowledge exchange.
Finally, the program also fosters the development of soft skills, as complementary to the technical one a candidate going through the training acquires. Key skills also for the IT sector like communication, self-introspection, critical thinking, or the ability to prioritise effectively and organise one's workload are also taught, providing candidates with improved chances when it comes to recruitment.
