Third Panhellenic Student Cybersecurity Competition 2025 showcases top young cyber talents in Greece

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The top rising young talents in the area of cybersecurity received recognition during a special awards ceremony at the Third Panhellenic Student Cybersecurity Competition, which took place on 18 June 2025 in the event hall of the Ministry of Digital Governance. The event saw also the presence of the Ministers of Education Religious Affairs and Sport, Digital Governance, the Governor of the RDI, the Deputy Director of the RDI, the head of the Panhellenic Student Cybersecurity Competition Professor of Cybersecurity of the University of Piraeus, as well as professors and students.

About the Panhellenic Cybersecurity Competition

The Panhellenic Student Cybersecurity Competition, organised by the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus, aims to raise the awareness of secondary school students on cybersecurity issues. It is the practical recognition of the effort and talent of distinguished students, while also serving as an awareness-raising method to highlight he importance of cybersecurity as one of the critical skills of the future.

And the winners are...

The winners of the 3rd Panhellenic Student Cybersecurity Competition are:

1st place: Psychico College High School with the group of students, led by Professor Christos Katsoulas:

Vrongistinou Dimitris
Manos Konstantinos
Michalopoulou Melina
Brezati Panagiotis
Joanno Dimitris

The first prize was awarded by the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Sofia Zacharaki.

2nd place: 2nd EPAL Sivitanidios School

Karagiozidis Petros

Led by Professor Stelios Martinis

The second prize was awarded by the Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou.

3rd place: Standard GEL of Anavryta, led by Professor Eleni Housou

Fiotakis Stelianos

The third prize was awarded by the Deputy Director of the National Cyber Security Authority, Mrs. Antigoni Giannakaki.

The ceremony was closed by the president of the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus, Professor Georgios Efthimoglou.

Hack'n'Learn: merge studying and playing with realistic cyber scenarios

The novelty of this year’s event was the announcement of the introduction of Hack’n’Learn in secondary education – an educational platform that combines learning and entertainment through gamified cybersecurity scenarios. This initiative was designed and piloted in 2024 with great success, will be developed into a national programme under the auspices of the Ministry of Digital Governance and the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sport and will be implemented in selected schools in the new school year.

After the ceremony, the winning students, their teachers and representatives from companies and organisations of the cybersecurity ecosystem, came together for a networking hour to discuss and exchange experiences, thoughts, and best practices.

About the Panhellenic Student Cybersecurity Competition

The Panhellenic Student Competition on Cybersecurity has been running since 2023, organised by the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus in collaboration with the postgraduate program "Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Technologies" and Systems Security Laboratory, headed by Professor Christos Xenakis. The competition aims to educate, raise awareness and inspire the new generation on cybersecurity issues. It offers the ability to develop skills through familiarity with tools and techniques, while promoting teamwork and collaboration. At the same time, it raises awareness of cyber risks and shapes responsible internet users.

The competition highlights talent, providing guidance for careers in cybersecurity, and serves as a preparation for participation in international events such as the European Cyber Security Competition (ECSC). In addition, it promotes science and technology, cultivating innovative and creative thinking. It strengthens national security by promoting cybersecurity, and connects students with professionals and institutions, strengthening competitiveness and networking. It is an institution that invests in knowledge and technological progress.

More information on the Greek Panhellenic Cybersecurity Competition can be found here.