“Women remain significantly underrepresented in cybersecurity. Such gender imbalance limits innovation and problem-solving as diverse teams create broader perspectives and creativity. Closing the gender gap starts with creating opportunities early on. With this Cybersecurity Bootcamp, LAC4 aims to inspire young girls to explore the world of cybersecurity and create pathway for more diverse and resilient future cybersecurity community.” – Liina Areng, Director of LAC4. 

The Bootcamp is designed to equip students with practical IT and cybersecurity skills while introducing them to Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions. Participants will gain hands-on experience with cloud and virtualisation technologies as well as operation systems like Windows, Linux and macOS, but also the agenda entails firewall and networking software and security practices. Participants will learn how to set up, troubleshoot and secure systems, identify vulnerabilities and understand differences between secure and safe protocols compared to dangerous actions. The programme concludes with a CTF challenge to emphasise teamwork, improve problem-solving and explore ways to translate technical expertise into entrepreneurial opportunities like student startups. 

Bootcamp is led by Allan Ild and Ain Ellam, EU CyberNet Experts and staff of Rapla County Vocational College. LAC4 extends its gratitude for valuable support to Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), Ministry of Education of the Dominican Republic (MINERD), Ibero-American University (UNIBE) and the Research Center for Feminine Action (CIPAF).