Digital security is no longer just a technical issue at the margins; it is a necessity for society as a whole. It influences science, economic stability and democratic culture. It enables us to open our smartphone-controlled front doors after a long day at work, to swipe left or right in search of a partner, and to keep our personal data exactly where we want it. This is why cybersecurity must be accessible and tangible to everyone. In the 21st century, it is no longer a niche topic, but a key competence. Nevertheless, many courses in this field either focus exclusively on technical aspects or are aimed at a specialised audience.
At CYRENZH , we are taking a different approach. We see cybersecurity as a shared challenge and design our teaching to reach as many people as possible, regardless of their professional background.
As a transdisciplinary competence network for digital resilience, CYRENZH aims to raise awareness of cybersecurity and its dangers among students of all disciplines in a practical and innovative way that cuts across faculties. The network also aims to provide students with the tools they need to assess the risks and opportunities involved and overcome the complex digital challenges they face.
Interdisciplinary Introduction to Cybersecurity
Our newest “tool” is an interdisciplinary teaching module on cybersecurity. Open to all UZH students from spring 2026, this module will not focus exclusively on hacking or passwords, but also on responsibility and social contexts in a digitalised world.
The course addresses key issues that have often been overlooked in the past. These include a lack of basic legal knowledge, particularly with regard to data protection; fear of technology; knowledge gaps among non-IT specialists; and a lack of psychological understanding of phenomena such as social engineering. It also specifically addresses weak risk awareness in everyday life and at work, as well as unclear responsibilities in digital contexts.
UZH flagship course, funded by “transdisciplinary_innovation 2024/25”
‘Interdisciplinary Introduction to Cybersecurity’ was selected as a flagship course in the ‘transdisciplinary_innovation 2024/25‘ call for proposals by the University of Zurich (UZH) in a competitive selection process. This call for proposals promotes interdisciplinary teaching formats that are strategically relevant and prepare students for the complex challenges of the future. We are proud that the CYRENZH project proposal was successful, and that the ‘Interdisciplinary Introduction to Cybersecurity’ course is now one of the few projects to receive two years of funding.
What is the course about?
The ‘Interdisciplinary Introduction to Cybersecurity’ course is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students and provides an introduction to the fundamentals of cybersecurity from technical, legal, ethical, social science and psychological perspectives. The course promotes a basic technical understanding, prevents technophobia and provides guidance on the legal framework. It also encourages participants to reflect on ethical dilemmas and social implications and raises awareness of psychological factors. Last but not least, it deliberately breaks with traditional lecture formats. In this project, we focus on:
- 🔐 Scenario-Based Learning (SBL)
Students work on realistic cyber incidents, make decisions, and discuss them in plenary sessions. Their decisions influence the course of the scenario. - 🧩 Escape Rooms (digital & analog)
With “EscapeUZH” or physical setups, teams playfully solve security-critical tasks. - 👥 Peer-assisted learning
Students explain concepts to each other, work on cases in small groups, and take responsibility for each other. - 🎥 Flipped classroom
Videos, quizzes, and self-study tasks prepare students for the classroom sessions, allowing for in-depth and active discussion within the group.
The team
In addition to CYRENZH as the initiator, the module brings together an interdisciplinary team united by a shared vision of a resilient digital society:
- Dr. Leyla Ciragan (CYRENZH, Digital Society Initiative) – Lead Education & Project Coordination
- Dr. Melanie Knieps (CYRENZH, Digital Society Initiative) – Society & Technology Assessment
- Prof. Dr. Bernhard Stiller (UZH Department of Informatics) – Technical Perspectives
- PD Dr. Markus Christen (Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Digital Society Initiative) – Ethics and Responsibility
- Prof. Dr. Noah Bubenhofer (Linguistics) – Trust and Communication
- Oliver Schmid, CISO of UZH – Practical Relevance & Awareness
Sustainability and future outlook
The project is therefore much more than just a course; it is a building block for long-term digital resilience in education, research and society, and its case-based, interdisciplinary teaching approach can be applied to other topics such as digital ethics, AI responsibility, the intersection of technology and sustainability, health data and crisis communication.
Why does this concern everyone?
CYRENZH sees itself as more than just a course provider; it also acts as a catalyst for a resilient digital future in education, research, and society. Its innovative, case-based, interdisciplinary teaching approach offers a model that can be applied to other socially relevant topics, such as digital ethics, AI responsibility, sustainable technologies, health data and crisis communication. Plans are already in place for the transfer: a teaching toolkit, a final report, and freely accessible materials will enable other universities to develop similar formats.
The CYRENZH course could not be more timely. In a world where the digital and analogue spheres of life are merging more and more, there is a need for people who can identify risks, take responsibility, and contribute to viable solutions. ‘Interdisciplinary Introduction to Cybersecurity’ is the perfect solution: it is transdisciplinary, practical and forward-looking.
Learn more & get involved: contact us!
The course will start for the first time in the spring semester of 2026. Information on registration is expected to follow in fall 2025 via the University of Zurich’s course catalog.