- Rolling application
Ransomware Defence Summer Bootcamp
A five-day, intensive program in Amsterdam for graduate students building practical skills to analyse, defend, and respond to ransomware threats.
29 June – 3 July, 2026
Location
Participants
Graduate students
Tuition
About the Program
The Ransomware Defence Summer Bootcamp is a five-day intensive program for graduate students from around the world. The program is free of charge and designed to provide students with the technical, analytical, and policy skills needed to understand ransomware and help organizations better protect themselves against ransomware threats.
Over the past five years, we have experienced a sharp rise in ransomware attacks, with incidents disrupting municipalities, healthcare providers, and key industrial sectors. These attacks have revealed deep vulnerabilities in local organizations that often lack the resources to prepare for or respond effectively to cyber incidents.
This bootcamp gives students the tools and experience to help such organizations strengthen their defences. Through a mix of lectures, workshops, and hands-on projects, participants will learn how to detect, respond to, and mitigate ransomware attacks — and how to communicate effectively with affected organizations.
Curriculum and Format
Morning sessions
Morning sessions feature lectures and panel discussions by leading experts from academia, industry, and government.
Afternoon sessions
- Running phishing simulations to improve staff awareness;
- Conducting tabletop exercises to test incident-response readiness;
- Developing decryptor libraries and victim-support materials;
- Performing network scans to identify vulnerabilities
How to Apply
- Master's and PhD students enrolled at any recognized higher-education institution worldwide.
- Final-year bachelor students who have been accepted into a graduate program (proof of acceptance required).
Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Those without prior cybersecurity experience should complete the Virtual Routes Introductory Course on Cybersecurity, available online as a self-paced module before the start of the bootcamp.
Participants must be actively enrolled at a university and should register using their student email address.
Google.org Cybersecurity Seminars Program
The Ransomware Defence Summer Bootcamp forms part of the Google.org Cybersecurity Seminars program, which has been successfully implemented across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and is now being launched in the Netherlands by Virtual Routes.
Partner Universities
The Bootcamp benefits from a number of university partnerships that help broaden participation and strengthen engagement with academic communities across different regions.
FAQ
When does the program take place?
The bootcamp runs for five days, Monday to Friday, from 9:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with optional evening sessions such as guest talks, quiz nights, and informal networking events.
Where is it held?
Lectures and afternoon group projects will take place at the Amsterdam Business School, University of Amsterdam.
Is the program really free?
Does Virtual Routes cover travel or accommodation?
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Students who complete the full program receive a Certificate of Completion issued by Virtual Routes.
Can I earn academic credit for this program?
Do I need a technical background?
No. The bootcamp welcomes students from all disciplines. Those without prior experience in cybersecurity should complete the Virtual Routes Introductory Course on Cybersecurity before the start of the program.
How many students will be accepted?
Up to 100 students will be selected based on merit, motivation, and fit with the program.
