ECON MUNI has therefore joined a unique project called Czech Cybersecurity Seminars. Supported by Google.org, the project aims to strengthen digital security in everyday life. A whole network of student ambassadors is emerging to deliver practical knowledge in a comprehensible way to communities, non-profit organizations, schools as well as other organizations that often lack the resources, knowledge or time for such activities.
The Czech Cybersecurity Seminars project was created as a response to the need to transfer cybersecurity from the world of IT to everyday life. "We want cybersecurity to be discussed not only in the context of technology but primarily in the context of people, behaviour and responsibility in the digital space," explains Vice-Dean Sylva Talpová, the project manager for ECON MUNI.
Sylva Talpová is the head of that project part that is being implemented by ECON MUNI and acts as an EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Champion. "I make sure that the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion are naturally integrated into our courses and activities. I see EDI as an instrument that improves the quality of learning and the relevance of results. We know from research and practice that an environment based on diversity is more open to innovation, solves problems more effectively and better results are achieved there. Inclusive education also promotes a sense of belonging. People get more involved, share their experiences and learn from each other," said Sylva Talpová.
The project is based on three pillars: student education, diversity support and community collaboration. It shall make cybersecurity a natural part of public life and not perceive it as the privilege of only technical experts but as a skill that anyone can develop. Thanks to the support of Google.org, a philanthropic organization active in education and dealing with the social impact of technology, there is room for strengthening the connection between university education and practice. During the project, students from various fields are preparing for the role of cybersecurity ambassadors, i.e. those who can clearly and practically deliver knowledge about a secure digital environment to various target groups, from schools and libraries to small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Two new courses were created at ECON MUNI in collaboration with the Faculty of Informatics, which is leading the entire project, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Studies in connection with the project. The first course is called Practical Cybersecurity Across Disciplines with Google.org and offers students an introduction to digital security and practical tools that can be used in everyday and professional life. Thanks to the involvement of teachers from various faculties, the course has a distinctly interdisciplinary character.
The second course is called Cybersecurity Consulting, in which our mentors help students implement their own interventions in communities, i.e., specific mini projects that increase digital security in practice. This way, students gain both knowledge and experience in how to become real ambassadors of change. "Once students have completed the main course, they can take the Cybersecurity Consulting course as a follow-up or in parallel. They work under the guidance of a mentor in this course who accompanies them throughout the entire process of their own intervention in the community – from proposal to implementation to evaluation. After successfully completing this intervention, students receive a financial reward," Vice-Dean Sylva Talpová describes the process.
The pilot course Cybersecurity Consulting was completed by students of Business Informatics, who carried out their own activities in communities under the guidance of mentors. The feedback received was positive and, in some cases, led to long-term cooperation. Pilot courses were also held at other faculties and confirmed that combining theoretical knowledge with the practical needs of different communities is an effective and well-functioning format. "We even prepared an original event at our faculty in the spring to attract students and invite them to join the project. We placed flyers with QR codes and hanged out "You have to see this!" around the faculty. After scanning them, those interested learned not only about our courses but also realised that even simply scanning an unknown QR code can be a risky business. We combined the readiness to play, education and recruitment for this project," adds Sylva Talpová, noting that this combination proved to be very successful.
Student awareness activities focus primarily on communities that are most vulnerable in cybersecurity, such as organizations working with at-risk groups, human rights, education or social services. These entities often do not have sufficient resources for professional IT support, yet they handle sensitive data on a daily basis. The activities shall strengthen their digital skills, facilitate their orientation in the online environment and increase their confidence when working in the digital space.
Students can now enrol in the courses for the spring. Read more at https://css.muni.cz/.
