Today’s headlines often feature the word ‘cyber’, reporting on threats related to the virtual world: online frauds, stolen credit cards, ‘the dark web’, ransomware, computer hacks and viruses, botnets and denial-of-service attacks on corporate and government servers, and cyberespionage.
What are the real cybersecurity threats – and risks? What has changed during COVID-19? What are the major policy and regulatory challenges? What is the role of diplomacy, international legal instruments, and regional and national policies in addressing these threats, and how efficient are they? How does international co-operation in cybersecurity work, and what are the roles of the various stakeholders?
This 10-week online advanced course in Cybersecurity covers technological and geopolitical risks, policy challenges, actors, and initiatives related to cybersecurity, especially those related to cybercrime, violence, and cyberwarfare. It also covers a broader context: the relations of cybersecurity with economic development and human rights.
This course can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance.
We face a multitude of issues in cyberspace, but Diplo has managed to cover all of them in a highly interactive, informative, and extremely helpful learning course on cyber diplomacy, cybersecurity, and related governance issues. If you work in this sphere, take the course – it will really help. You will learn all the necessary basics that are fundamental for all cybersecurity professionals.
– Ms Anastasiya Kazakova, Public Affairs Manager, Kaspersky, Russia
A relevant and applicable look at cybersecurity that takes into account the different aspects of the subject matter. The intuitive e-learning environment allows for informative discussions and interactions between participants and instructors alike. Also, the global composition of both the participants and instructors allows one to gain useful insight into diverse experiences and views on cybersecurity.
– Mr Kasek Galgal, Tutor/Lecturer, Physics Division, University of Papua New Guinea
Having a technical security (network and information security) background, I was a little sceptical about the value this course could to offer. The course content and discussions came as a pleasant surprise, as they offered insights into cybersecurity not only from a technical perspective, but included the social, legal, and economic aspects of security. These facets are usually missing in other widely available cybersecurity courses, but are becoming increasingly important in solving the complex challenges that cybersecurity has set for humankind.
– Mr Mohit Saraswat, Founder, Internet Society Chapter, United Arab Emirates
The course was a very good opportunity to meet colleagues from different countries and learn about their different approaches and objectives in regard to cybersecurity. The integration of knowledge was successfully accomplished by the systematic learning methodology. The course helped me integrate my previous knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of this subject.
– Mr Rafael Alberto Patrignani, Counsellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Argentina
Prior to taking the course, I was oblivious to the global impact and the geostrategic challenges posed by cybersecurity dynamics. Thanks to this mind-blowing course, I feel more elevated and empowered in understanding the subject and its technical, legal, social, and geopolitical elements. I was also intrigued by the rich international experiences of the course lecturers and the uniqueness of the learning method where every participant is allowed to freely express his/her own opinion.
– Mr Robert Nkambwe, Director of Information and Communication Technology, Bugema University, Kampala, Uganda
The course’s approach to cybersecurity issues, such as cybercrime, online violence and child protection, critical infrastructure, cyber warfare, and the study of cybersecurity policy frameworks, was presented by the lecturers in a wise, precise, and knowledgeable manner. In addition, guest experts and course participants provided productive and exciting interactions.
– Mr Juan D. Abarca Salas, IT Regional Officer, Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto, Canada
The course describes several ambiguities in the international interpretation of cyberspace regulation and cooperation, and highlights the need for greater understanding and collaboration (international and public–private partnership) for establishing the rule of law in cyberspace, norms of addressing common types of infringement (e.g. cybercrime), and progressive de-escalation of conflicts. The course has been a useful primer in understanding tensions at the international, national, organisation (business), and personal levels in the face of irresponsible (deliberate or unintentional) behaviour in cyberspace.
– Mr Xiang Teo Zheng, Head of Advisory (Consulting), Ensign InfoSecurity Private Limited, Saudi Arabia
This course has been invaluable for my work in digital inclusion, and I feel much better informed around the aspects of cybersecurity which I will use to assist the communities that I am working with, particularly in the Pacific region.
– Mr Christopher James Sampson, Director, Future Earth Systems; Founder, Digital Society Foundation; Fellow, University of Technology Sydney; Deputy Chair, Regional Development Australia; Board Member, Eldercare Inc., Australia
Having a technical and technological background, I found this course very informative, as it was an opportunity to understand cybersecurity at a higher level, including its state and diplomatic aspects. In addition to the content and the teaching methodology, exchanges between participants were really enriching.
– Mr Ioniarimalala Rakotonirina, IT Manager, Management Sciences for Health, USAID ACCESS Health Program, Madagascar
What will you learn?
How will you learn?
In this course you will interact intensively in discussions with classmates and lecturers from around the world. You will receive guidance and personalised feedback on your classwork from the course team.
How long will you learn?
The course lasts for 10 weeks:
Director of Cybersecurity & E-diplomacy, Diplo
Assistant Professor in cybersecurity governance, Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University
Cyber Hygiene, Cyber Diplomacy, and ICT Strategy and Governance Consultant
Cyber Diplomacy Knowledge Fellow, Diplo
Senior Policy Editor, Diplo
Former Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, New York
Diplo seeks applications from the following, from both developed and developing countries:
This course may also be of interest to:
The course consists of 8 modules:
Related: This course complements a shorter Cybersecurity Diplomacy course, which focuses in depth on the risks of cyber-conflict and the related international negotiations.
DiploFoundation (attn Tanja Nikolic)
Anutruf, Ground Floor, Hriereb Street Msida, MSD 1675, Malta
The Cybersecurity online course is based on a collaborative learning approach, involving a high level of interaction over a period of 10 weeks. Reading materials and the necessary tools for online interaction are provided in a virtual classroom.
Each week, participants study and discuss course materials and complete additional online activities. At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet to discuss the topic of the week. For successful completion, this course requires a minimum of 5 to 7 hours of study time per week.
Participants who successfully complete the course receive a certificate issued by Diplo, which can be printed or shared electronically.
All course applicants must have regular internet access (broadband is preferred).
Applicants for certificate courses must have:
The fee for this course is €690.
Note: Diplo alumni can benefit from a 15% discount on the fee for this course.
Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution.
You can apply for this course as:
A limited scholarship fund is available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries, through support from the governments of Malta and Switzerland.
A limited scholarship fund is also available for civil society applicants working in the field of digital policy, through the general support of the Ford Foundation.
As Diplo's ability to offer scholarship support is limited, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship funding directly from local or international institutions.
Fill out the short form to start your application process for this course. You will receive an instruction email on how to continue.
Applying for financial assistance? Please indicate this on the application form, upload your CV, and a motivation statement that should include:
Please note that financial assistance from Diplo is available only to applicants from developing countries!
Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available in the course.
Diplo reserves the right to cancel this course if enrolment is insufficient. In case of cancellation, Diplo will notify applicants shortly after the application deadline. Applicants who have paid an application fee may apply this fee towards another course or receive a refund.
Cybersecurity for South-Eastern Europe online course