CyberMACS Winter School 2025: A Transformative Learning Experience for Future Cybersecurity Experts 

The CyberMACS Winter School 2025 has successfully concluded, leaving a lasting impact on its participants. With students actively engaging in technical sessions, hands-on activities, and networking opportunities, the program has once again proven its effectiveness in fostering both technical and soft skills essential for career growth in cybersecurity. 

Exceptional Learning and Practical Experience 

Participants rated the overall organization of the Winter School highly, with over 95% expressing satisfaction. The event exceeded expectations in preparing students for careers in cybersecurity, with 85.7% confirming that the experience met their career development needs. 

One of the most celebrated aspects of the program was the Capture The Flag (CTF) competition, where 91.8% of students found the hands-on learning beneficial. Many highlighted that the interactive and problem-solving nature of the CTF improved their practical skills, making it a standout feature of the event. 

Key Highlights and Impactful Sessions 

Students praised multiple sessions, particularly: 

🔹 Welcome Session – Prof. Hasan Dağ, Prof. Vesna Dimitrova, Prof. Reiner Creutzburg 
🔹 Workshop: AI Use Cases – Prof. Alexander Iliev (SRH) 
🔹 Workshop: AI-Enhanced OSINT I – Klaus Schwarz (SRH) 
🔹 Workshop: DORA and ISO in Cyber Resilience I – Franziska Schwarz (SRH) 
🔹 Workshop: DORA and ISO in Cyber Resilience II – Franziska Schwarz (SRH) 

🔹 Workshop: Overview of Critical Infrastructures (CIs) and Cyber Threats to CIs – Bora Köse (Fortinet – KHAS) 
🔹 Workshop: Security Incident and Event Management Tools – Prof. Boro Jakimovski (UKIM) 
🔹 Workshop: Network Steganography Explained – Hiding Patterns and Countermeasures – Prof. Aleksandra Mileva (Goce Delcev University – UKIM) 
🔹 Workshop: AI-Enhanced OSINT II – Klaus Schwarz (SRH) 

🔹 Workshop: Secure Software Development – Cüneyt Kalpakoğlu (Endpoint-labs – KHAS) 
🔹 Capture The Flag (CTF) Competition – Ender Gezer (Cyberforce – KHAS) 

🔹 Workshop: Secure Software Development (Cont.) – Cüneyt Kalpakoğlu (Endpoint-labs – KHAS) 
🔹 Student Achievements & Publication Ideas – Students present their research achievements and potential publication ideas 

Developing Soft Skills and Industry Connections 

Beyond technical expertise, students noted that the Winter School helped them enhance their communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Through real-world cybersecurity scenarios, collaborative workshops, and industry networking, attendees left better prepared for the cybersecurity job market. 

Many participants emphasized the value of networking with top industry professionals and cybersecurity researchers, gaining insights into career pathways and emerging challenges in the field. 

Looking Ahead: Future Topics and Enhancements 

Students provided valuable feedback for the next editions of the CyberMACS Summer and Winter Schools. Key recommendations include: 
🔹 More field visits and industry collaborations 
🔹 Increased hands-on workshops and interactive sessions 
🔹 Deep dives into topics like Post-Quantum Cryptography, Cyberwarfare, and DevSecOps 
🔹 More practical training with real-world cybersecurity tools 

The CyberMACS team is committed to refining the program, ensuring that future events continue to offer cutting-edge cybersecurity education with a strong focus on practical learning. 

🌐 Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming CyberMACS Summer School!