By James Egan, IT Security Lecturer, South East Technological University (SETU)
100 Cyber Professionals, 100 Schools, 100 Visits, 7,000+ Students Inspired
In February and March 2026, 100 schools across all 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland will take part in the Cyber Schools Initiative, organised by the Cyber Ireland South East Chapter, SETU, and CALMAST
We need 100 cyber professionals across the Republic of Ireland to undertake these school visits. The visits need only be 30 minutes long. Our aim is to inspire the next generation of cyber professionals, with a particular emphasis on female students, who maybe haven’t previously considered a STEM career.
Please fill in the linked form if you are willing to undertake a visit to a school. We will try to match you to a school close to where you live.
Each cyber professional will be provided with:
- A short explanatory video to prepare the cyber professional
- PowerPoint slides to introduce the students to the initiative.
The date and time of the school visit will be negotiated between the cyber professional and the school via a CALMAST contact person.
About CALMAST
CALMAST is the South East Technological University’s (SETU) STEM engagement centre. It delivers and coordinates STEM engagement across the South East of Ireland and also delivers Maths Week Ireland, an all-island initiative. CALMAST has recruited over 100 schools for this programme.
For the Cyber Schools Initiative, Transition Year groups from these schools will undertake a range of cybersecurity activities over five weeks, and it is expected that over 7,000 students will take part.
About the Cyber Schools Initiative
The Cyber Schools Initiative includes hands-on activities such as Defend the Hospital, a cyberattack simulation where students protect sensitive data, and Solving a Murder Using Digital Forensics, which gives students the opportunity to investigate and uncover digital clues.
Other activities include Hide Secret Messages Using Steganography, where students learn how to encode and decode hidden messages, and How to Rob a Bank, a fun educational activity exploring common methods of cyber fraud. These sessions provide a deeper look at the tools, skills, and career opportunities available in the field of cybersecurity.
