Our first-ever cybersecurity online course attracted over 1,500 students from 84 countries, proving that high-quality, hands-on security education can be accessible to all.

Last year, we took a bold step by launching our first-ever Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) – an online version of our popular university course Introduction to Security. Designed to provide high-quality cybersecurity training to a global audience for free, this course aimed to equip learners with essential skills to navigate and defend the digital world. Now, after an incredible semester, we’re thrilled to share the results of this initiative and invite you to be part of its future.

An Unprecedented Turnout

The numbers speak for themselves. We couldn't be more thrilled by the overwhelming response and the vibrant community that formed around this course. It’s proof that the demand for high-quality, hands-on cybersecurity education is greater than ever.

  • 1,503 students from 84 countries enrolled in the MOOC, making our course a truly global experience and one of the largest online courses in the country.
  • Over 15,000 views of the streamed lectures on YouTube show the widespread interest in cybersecurity education.
  • More than 11,000 messages exchanged in our Matrix chat system illustrate a thriving learning community.
  • 220 students completed 12+ passcodes and earned their course certificates, achieving a commendable success rate within the MOOC community.
Map of user registrations from Eventrbite.

An Engaging, Hands-On Experience

From penetration testing to Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), during 14 weeks, the students immersed themselves in real-world cybersecurity challenges. With over 42 hours of recorded content and 55+ hours of graphic design work, we ensured a rich and interactive learning experience. If you must know, this wouldn’t be possible without 10 kilograms of Yerba Mate consumed by our team.

To make this online class possible, we created the StratoCyberLab, our CTF-based, offline cyber range. StratoCyberLab allows you to play many challenges, follow the class video, access the class document, and learn at your own pace, even without internet access. The Stratocyberlab also saw great engagement: 22,000+ lines of code, 200+ visits per month and growing contributions from the community.

StratoCyberLab

Heartwarming Reviews from Students

We received overwhelmingly positive feedback, proving that cybersecurity education can be engaging, hands-on, and accessible. Nothing motivates us more than hearing how much students loved it:

  • ‍“This is by far the best and most thoughtfully designed course I’ve taken at CTU. It’s highly interactive, packed with practical activities. I’ve never had so much fun in my formal education!” – Jan Hofer, CTU Student
  • ‍“The dedication is unreal! I can’t imagine what you’ll do next year as you gain even more experience. A great opportunity that you opened up to the world.” – MOOC Student
  • ‍“I am always very critical when taking a course, and this is the first time I can’t find any flaws. From the instructors to the infrastructure, everything is absolutely incredible.” – MOOC Student

What’s Next? Take the Course Yourself!

With such a great response, we are committed to making the next iteration even better. Whether you’re an IT professional looking to sharpen your skills or someone new to cybersecurity, this course is for you.

Meet the team: Sebastian Garcia, Veronica Valeros, Lukáš Forst, Muris Sladić, Martin Řepa, Maria Rigaki and Ondřej Lukáš. The illustration was created by the talented Fermin Valeros (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

Cyber threats aren’t going anywhere – but neither are we. If you want to be part of the next generation of cybersecurity experts, follow us for updates on the course: