Cyberattacks are no longer limited to large corporations. Schools, local authorities and SMEs are increasingly being targeted and often lack both the expertise and the budget to protect themselves adequately. This is precisely where the concept of Cybersecurity Clinics comes in.
Cybersecurity Clinics bring students and organisations together: students provide pro bono support to businesses, public authorities and non-profit organisations on specific security issues, gaining valuable practical experience in the process. The model originated in the USA, where it has become established at several universities.
In autumn 2024, CYRENZH carried out its first clinic projects in Switzerland. In an article in the journal HMD – Praxis der Wirtschaftsinformatik, the CYREN team analyses nine international clinic models and evaluates interviews with all project participants. The article highlights the opportunities and challenges of the concept and formulates recommendations for action for all phases of a clinic project.
The CYRENZH Summer School will take place from 29 June to 3 July 2026, focusing on the theme “Human Factors in Cybersecurity and Privacy: Interdisciplinary Research Methods”. The program is aimed at early-career researchers. Applications are open until the end of April 2026.