KiberACS: Cybersecurity Academy in Latvia
KiberACS is a cybersecurity training and capacity building initiative developed by Riga Technical University (RTU) in cooperation with industry experts. It aims to prepare qualified cybersecurity professionals, promote knowledge of digital security risks and strengthen a cybersecurity culture among both professionals and the general public.
The project focuses on people with different levels of experience, both complete beginners in Cybersecurity field and as well as ones with previous ICT competences. The aim of KiberACS is to provide practical, up-to-date knowledge in cybersecurity and to provide opportunities to use it in professional development, thus strengthening Latvia's cybersecurity capacity.
The initiative is offering five cybersecurity courses covering topics such as:
Information security management
Cybersecurity education
Cybersecurity incident management
Cybersecurity architecture
Digital investigations
The content of the courses has been developed based on internationally recognized practices, the requirements of the NIS2 Directive, and the guidelines of the Latvian national cybersecurity regulation, as well as with the expertise of RTU and industry professionals.
The training is practically oriented and adapted for both beginners and people with a technical background, providing the opportunity to acquire up-to date cybersecurity skills. At the end of the course, participants can take an exam and receive an official certification of their acquired knowledge. Practical experience is an important part of the project: at the end of the courses, participants are offered 2 months of internship in companies or institutions, where they can apply their knowledge to real cybersecurity tasks and situations. During the traineeship, participants may also receive a scholarship.
The project has gained recognition from the industry and received awards, including the Ministry of Defence's Declaration of Honour as one of the most significant cybersecurity initiatives of the year in Latvia, which acknowledges its significant contribution to enhancing cybersecurity and training specialists.
Why is this a good practice?
KiberACS is a practical and targeted educational resource that provides knowledge and skills in the field of cybersecurity, promoting both individual professional development and the development of broader digital security skills in Latvia. Through courses and practices, it provides a complex approach to cybersecurity learning, adapting content to today's dynamic requirements in the digital environment. The course program is designed so that with the acquired knowledge specialists can provide services that are part of the requirements of the new National Cybersecurity Law and related Cabinet regulations.
In the first year of the project, 167 young professionals have completed their training, 53% of whom are women, and cooperation has been established with 121 institutions or companies that have improved their cybersecurity competences. The project is part of a global Google.org cybersecurity workshop initiative in more than 20 countries.
