SHIELD Training in Riga Strengthens Teachers’ Cybersecurity Skills

More than 20 teachers from North Macedonia, Latvia, Bulgaria and Kosovo took part in cybersecurity training in Riga, hosted by EKA University of Applied Sciences as part of the international SHIELD project. The training provided participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills in cybersecurity relevant to secondary school settings.

The training covered topics including Cyber Risks in Schools & Self-Assessment, Cyber Hygiene & Governance Foundations, Policy & Safe-Practice Clinic, Phishing, Scams & Incident Response, and Student Protection: Cyberbullying & Harmful Content. To reinforce their newly acquired knowledge, participants completed a range of practical exercises under the guidance of the trainers, working both individually and in groups. The training was delivered by Dr Mijalce Santa (Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia).

“The training was very valuable, practical and well structured. It provided a broad and easy-to-understand overview of cybersecurity issues, as well as practical examples that can be applied in everyday work,” says teacher Evita Vīksna. She particularly appreciated the trainers’ professional approach, clear explanations and the opportunity to ask questions. “The practical sessions involving games and worksheets helped reinforce the knowledge gained, while all the materials provided offer a solid foundation for further use,” Vīksna emphasises. “I would also like to add that it was very interesting to learn how things are done in other countries and schools.”

Education Methodologist Dace Šķirmante adds that the opportunity not only to learn about cybersecurity in schools, but also to develop their own cybersecurity policies and explore the experiences of other countries, was particularly valuable. “I particularly enjoyed the interactive tasks and group work with colleagues from other countries,” Šķirmante says.

SHIELD (“United for Cyber Safety – Up-Skilling High School Communities for Protecting Students”) is an international project implemented by EKA University of Applied Sciences together with international partners. Its aim is to strengthen the cybersecurity skills of secondary school teachers and staff, enabling them to better protect students in the face of growing cyber threats.