Kaspersky is helping universities equip students across all disciplines with vital digital defense skills by launching “Cybersecurity: Entry Level,” a new free online course.
Designed for first- and second-year students, the course aims to integrate cybersecurity fundamentals into early academic training, preparing a new generation of professionals who are aware of digital risks and confident in managing their digital dependence. This initiative comes as Kaspersky’s IT Security Economics report highlights that 88% of organizations globally faced a cyber incident in 2024, with human error remaining a major factor.
Developed by experts from Kaspersky Expertise Centers, the course uses a video lesson format and includes 26 modules (five to thirty minutes each). It provides a solid foundation of cybersecurity concepts relevant to both students’ daily lives and future careers:
- The basic concepts of cybersecurity
- Attacker tools and types of cyberattacks
- Areas of cybersecurity and information security fields
- The future of cybersecurity
The training not only imparts theoretical knowledge but also introduces students to realistic cases and emerging trends. It also features a separate session for career guidance in information security.
By embedding this knowledge early, Kaspersky addresses the growing need for cyber-savvy professionals in both technical and non-technical roles.
Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Academic Affairs at Kaspersky, comments: “Cybersecurity is no longer the sole responsibility of information security departments—it’s a shared responsibility across all teams. By introducing cybersecurity awareness early in a student’s academic journey, universities can help build a workforce that is not only technically proficient but also security-conscious from day one.”
The “Cybersecurity: Entry Level” course is available to members of the Kaspersky Academy Alliance—a partnership programme for universities. It can be easily integrated into a university’s educational program via its learning management systems.
Students who complete the video lessons, pass self-assessment questions, and achieve at least a 70% result on the final evaluation test will earn a Kaspersky certificate of completion.
Universities interested in implementing the course can learn more on the Kaspersky Academy website.