International Cyber Security Summer School 2025 Kicks Off in The Hague

Yesterday, the 10th edition of the International Cyber Security Summer School (ICSSS) officially kicked off in The Hague. During the International Cyber Security Summer School, students, PhD candidates, and young professionals from 17 different nationalities will expand their knowledge through lectures and hands-on challenges covering the hottest cyber security topics. The International Cyber Security Summer School is organised annually by the Dutch security cluster Security Delta (HSD) in collaboration with many partners. The aim of this programme is to contribute to attracting and developing future cyber talent.

On the first day, participants were welcomed by ICSSS coordinators Mira van Benthem-Wilderom, Yanic Hock and Iris Paschedag at Leiden University, which opened the doors of one of its locations in The Hague to participants today. The ICSSS coordinators outlined this week’s programme and provided an overview of what the students can expect. Jan van Zanen, mayor of The Hague, welcomed the participants to the city via a video message, emphasising the importance of (digital) security and access to sufficient talent in this field.

Following the welcome talks, it was time for the first lectures of the week! Koen Hokke from Watchmen provided us with an interesting lecture about parallels between the immune system and cybersecurity, after which Luuk Dijkema and Julian Bond from the Gemeente Den Haag gave our students a lecture on how The Hague prepared for a possible cybercrisis before and during the NATO summit.

Diversity in backgrounds and topics

The cyber security field is very diverse. Therefore, the participants are not only selected from many different countries, but their backgrounds are also diverse. With backgrounds ranging between technology, policy, law and business, there is something for everyone to learn and add during the programme and in the group assignments.

During the six-day programme, the participants will learn about cyber risk and threat management, post-quantum cryptography, the responsible application of artificial intelligence (AI), and the human factor within cybersecurity, among other topics. Participants are challenged to come up with innovative solutions to current issues offered by Leiden University, Cyber Resilience Centre Greenport, Booz Allen Hamilton, aXite Security Tools and Watchmen.

Moreover, an HR event will also take place again this year on wednesday August 20th, where this new generation of cyber experts will meet professionals from the field in order to discuss career opportunities and make matches

Joris den Bruinen, managing director Security Delta (HSD): "To achieve innovative solutions that contribute to the physical and digital safety of our society, cooperation is essential. There is a shortage of new talent to meet the growing demand. As part of our  national Human Capital Agenda, we would like to work closely with our partners to support this via this summer school."

SMEs

The Summer School is supported not only by large (international) organisations, but also by a number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While major corporations often receive the most visibility, it is equally important to acknowledge the vital role SMEs play in the regional economy. In South Holland, many SMEs are undergoing rapid digital transformation. At the same time, they are facing an increasing shortage of qualified IT and cybersecurity talent. This shortage does not only affect the resilience and growth potential of the companies themselves, but also has broader implications for the economic strength and competitiveness of the region as a whole.

Recognising this, the Summer School is committed to providing a platform for SMEs alongside its international partners. By involving SMEs in the programme, students and young professionals gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of working in smaller, innovative organisations. At the same time, SMEs are given the chance to connect with new talent, share their perspectives, and highlight the crucial contribution they make to a secure and digital future.

Collaboration

The International Cyber Security Summer School is organised by the national security cluster Security Delta (HSD) in collaboration with Europol, NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI), Scenarios4summits, Booz Allen Hamilton, Watchmen, Group-IB Europe B.V, De Haagse Hogeschool, NSCR, Universiteit Leiden, Nederlands Forensisch Instituut (NFI), Hogeschool Leiden, TNO, KPN N.V, Gemeente Den Haag, aXite Security Tools, Connect2trust.

Stay tuned for more updates and recaps on ICSSS 2025 during this week!