In Autumn 2024, Oerestad Gymnasium in Denmark hosted a remarkable educational event, bringing cybersecurity awareness to the forefront. A highly skilled team of IT-security specialists from the Master’s program in Cybersecurity at Aalborg University, Denmark, conducted an interactive workshop designed to train students in the essential skills of ethical hacking. The event was part of a broader initiative to equip young minds with the tools and knowledge to protect IT systems against potential cyber threats.
Ethical hacking, or “white hat” hacking, teaches individuals to think like cybercriminals—or “black hat” hackers—but with a mission to prevent security breaches before they occur. Students learned to spot vulnerabilities in IT systems, safeguarding both financial assets and sensitive personal data from malicious actors.
During the workshop, participants had hands-on experience with the Haaukins platform, an innovative tool developed by Aalborg University specifically for cybersecurity training. Using a virtual environment powered by Kali Linux, students tackled real-world security challenges. With this cutting-edge platform, they learned how to exploit system weaknesses while simultaneously understanding how to defend against them.
This immersive and practical learning experience not only gave the students a glimpse into the complex world of cybersecurity, but also empowered them to take active steps in securing their own digital privacy. As technology continues to evolve, training the next generation of ethical hackers is crucial for building a safer digital future.