Mobilizing Retirees: The Missing Piece in Boosting Digital Safety

How can retirees help build a safer digital future? Join Our Workshop and be part of the conversation!

Switzerland has a hidden superpower: its retirees. Many people in retirement are looking for new purpose, new challenges — and new ways to give back. Retirees bring valuable expertise from their careers in education, health, business, IT, management and more. They understand people. They know how to communicate. And they often have the time and motivation to get involved to strengthen the digital skills in schools, libraries, and senior homes.

Join us to explore how volunteer engagement — especially from retirees — can help strengthen digital skills in our communities. Gérald Vernez (digiVolution) will present the national CyberPatrouilleur initiative and its potential for the Canton of Zurich. Dr. Melanie Knieps (CYREN^ZH) will guide us through the workshop as we work together to develop concrete ideas and next steps for involving retirees in building a safer digital future.

Goals of the Workshop

• Inform about a national initiative on volunteering for digital safety 
• Understand what works (and what doesn’t) when engaging retirees.
• Identify needs, challenges, and opportunities in the Canton of Zurich.
• Build first connections for future collaborations.

Who is this Workshop for?

• Associations working with retirees or volunteers
• Anyone curious about digital volunteering
• Cybersecurity experts & educators
• Retirees looking to get involved

A growing challenge — and a missing piece?

Digital risks are part of everyday life. Across Switzerland, many communities need people who can help navigate these challenges, including:

• Seniors confronted with fake support calls, romance scams, or online fraud.
• Young people navigating grooming, sextortion, or fake job offers.
• Small businesses targeted by phishing, invoice fraud, or CEO scams.
• Local organizations struggling with basic cybersecurity.

Let’s explore needs, challenges — and opportunities.