The Cyber Schools initiative is a TY programme to introduce students to the world of Cybersecurity. The initiative brings together local cybersecurity experts from industry, Cyber Ireland (the cyber industry association), researchers and CALMAST, SETU’s STEM Engagement Centre to roll out an interactive problem based cyber security initiative to 100 schools across Ireland.

The programme is FREE for the Secondary Schools.

Why take part?

This programme aims to:

• Understand what is cyber security, what tools and skills do you use
• Raise awareness in career opportunities available in the field of cybersecurity
• Receive a visit to your school from a local cyber security professional
• Make the students less vulnerable to cyber fraud

What is it about?

The 2 to 5 weeks programme consists of weekly, one-hour sessions introducing students to the fascinating world of cybersecurity. Schools will also have a visit from a cybersecurity professional to give hands-on insight into what it’s like to work in this diverse and exciting field.

Programme activities include hands-on tasks – ‘Defend the Hospital’, a cyberattack simulation where students protect sensitive data , ‘Solving Murders Using Digital Forensics’ which investigating and uncovering digital clues. Other activities are ‘Hide Secret Messages Using Steganography’ where students learn how to encode and decode hidden messages, while ‘How to Rob a Bank’ is a fun educational activity exploring common methods of cyber fraud. An online role model portal and age appropriate video on cyber fraud will also be available.

100 Irish Secondary School from all over the Republic of Ireland will get the chance to participate in the programme in 2026!

What are the requirements for participating?

Eligibility

• TY students from secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland.
• With devices and internet connection.
• No prior knowledge is necessary.
• Webinar, video guide and lesson plans will be provided for teachers to run the programme.

Certification & Programme length

• Bronze certificate: all students will receive a bronze certificate after completing the 2-weeks discovery programme and the post survey.
• Silver certificate: An advanced programme will be available with 3 more weeks of activities for those that want a deeper understanding of cyber security skills. After completing the advanced programme and the post survey, students will receive the silver certificate.
• Gold certificate: students will receive the gold certificate after completing the advanced programme and participating in the optional cyber competition in late April.

We recommend you to ask your student to take screenshot at the end of their activity so you can follow their progression.

Key Dates

The project can be run as your own pace, but there are a number of key dates, which are listed below.

• December/January – Registration
• mid-January 2026 – Confirmation entering the programme
• late-January 2026 – Live webinar for teachers, which will be recorded
• pre-survey for students – before starting the programme for our programme evaluation
• February/March 2026 – visit in school from a local cybersecurity professional
• February/March/April 2026 – do the programme at your own pace
• End of the programme – post survey for students and teachers for our programme evaluation
• Certification – after answering the survey certificates will be issued
• After Easter – optional cyber competition to enter

How to Participate

Complete the registration before the deadline Friday 16th January 2026.

For any query about the programme, please contact Dr James Egan james.egan@setu.ie.
For any query about the registration, please contact CALMAST calmast.wd@setu.ie.