Focus: who the “bad guys” are and what they want
Theory: digital identity, CIA triad, hacker profiles (script kiddies, organized crime, state-sponsored hackers)
Lab: digital footprint audit, brute force demo, social media privacy settings
Dates
23 – 30 June 2026
Location
H-FARM Campus
Ages
16-18/18+
Language
English
Fee
€ 1.250
Defending Digital Worlds: Cybersecurity & AI
We live in an era where cybersecurity and the ability to use artificial intelligence are no longer optional skills, but essential tools to understand, protect, and shape the digital future. As technological transformation reshapes every sector of the global economy, the demand for professionals who combine solid technical foundations with a strategic vision for emerging technologies is higher than ever.
Defending Digital Worlds is an intensive summer program by H-FARM College, developed in partnership with Cisco, designed to train the next generation of Digital Defenders. In an immersive, hands-on experience, students combine the international Cisco curriculum with H-FARM’s practical approach, learning not only to protect systems and data but also to design secure, responsible, and innovative digital solutions.
The program is structured into two distinct tracks based on age group:
Ages 16–18 (high school students
A dynamic, hands-on program designed for students who want to learn how to protect themselves online, understand AI, and build their first digital solutions in a conscious and creative way.
Ages 18+ (university students)
An intensive experience designed for university students who want to combine cybersecurity and artificial intelligence with a technical and professional approach, gaining practical skills and recognized certifications.
Why choose Defending Digital Worlds: Cybersecurity & AI
A summer program that combines cybersecurity and AI to develop practical skills recognized worldwide.
The program (age 16-18)
This program guides high school students in transforming from casual technology users into true Digital Defenders and Impact Creators. The course combines an international cybersecurity certification with a creative AI Builder Bootcamp, blending technical rigor with hands-on experimentation.
The week begins with white hat hacking activities: students learn to think like an attacker to protect their digital lives, analyze their online footprint, and tackle gamified challenges such as the “crypto escape room” to explore cryptography and security in an engaging way. The program then moves into the world of artificial intelligence, where students create not just chatbots, but real digital bodyguards—AI agents designed to help users identify risks and threats online.
The experience concludes with a Tech for Good sprint, during which teams use no-code AI tools to design and present fully functional web apps aimed at improving digital security in their communities.
Upon successful completion, students receive the official Cisco Networking Academy digital badge in Introduction to Cybersecurity, internationally recognized and validated through Credly.
You will learn to think like a digital defender
You will learn how to manage your digital security
You will discover how to use AI safely
You will design apps that make a difference
You will learn how to build projects securely
Agenda
Day 1
Day 2
Focus: protecting your digital life
Theory: why passwords fail, MFA, encryption, and data privacy
Lab: cryptography escape room, phishing tournament, password manager setup + 2FA
Day 3
Focus: GenAI and security agents
Theory: LLMs, digital agents, AI for defense
Workshop: prototyping a no-code digital agent for online security
Day 4
Focus: building apps for digital security
Theory: AI for Good, no-code app development, security by design
Workshop: prototyping and testing AI-powered web apps for security
Day 5
Focus: final demo and certifications
Morning: review and cybersecurity exam
Afternoon: app refinement, demo day, awards, and official certificates
Who is aimed at?
The program is designed for high school students aged 16 to 18 who are curious about technology, passionate about digital security, and interested in exploring the potential of artificial intelligence. No advanced technical skills are required—students only need basic familiarity with computers and the internet, curiosity, and the commitment to attend all days of the program.
Through this experience, students turn their curiosity into practical knowledge, gaining hands-on skills and internationally recognized certifications to protect themselves and create digital solutions that benefit their communities.
The program (age 18+)
This program is designed for university students and young technology professionals who want to understand and protect the digital architecture of the modern world.
The first two days focus on cybersecurity, using a “red team / blue team” approach that combines theory with hands-on labs: from analyzing personal attack surfaces to strengthening digital infrastructures, students learn to think like an attacker and develop concrete defense strategies.
The following days shift the focus to modern artificial intelligence: from neural networks to computer vision, and the responsible use of generative AI. Students design autonomous agents capable of supporting digital defense and learn how AI can be both a tool for attack and a powerful ally in protecting information.
At the end of the program, participants who successfully complete all activities receive two official Cisco Networking Academy digital badges: Introduction to Cybersecurity and Introduction to Modern AI, internationally recognized and validated through Credly, turning the skills acquired into tangible certifications that can be applied in academic and professional contexts.
Analyze the threat landscape and adopt the hacker mindset
Apply practical protection strategies to digital systems and data
Explain how AI, machine learning, and deep learning work
Understand how computer vision systems interpret images
Use generative models responsibly through advanced prompt engineering
Agenda
Day 1
Focus: attacker mindset and basics of digital threats
Theory: digital identity (PII), CIA triad, cyber kill chain, introduction to cyber warfare
Lab: digital footprint audit (OSINT), data breach check, phishing analysis, case study of a real attack
Day 2
Focus: how individuals and organizations defend themselves
Theory: authentication (3 factors), encryption and backups against ransomware, behavior-based security
Lab: cryptography challenge, password manager setup, MFA configuration, cybersecurity certification review
Day 3
Focus: how machines “think,” “learn,” and “see”
Theory: AI vs ML vs Deep Learning, neural networks, computer vision, natural language processing
Lab: training a custom model (no-code), testing the limits of visual AI tools
Day 4
Focus: generative AI, agents, and ethics
Theory: LLMs and hallucinations, prompt engineering, tool calling, AI as a weapon and as a defense
Lab: no-code AI agent prototyping, prompt challenge, testing hallucinations and guardrails, AI certification review
Day 5
Focus: final synthesis and official exams
Morning: finalizing AI project, cybersecurity review, career guidance, and Q&A
Afternoon: Introduction to Cybersecurity exam, Introduction to Modern AI exam, badge and certificate award
Who is aimed at?
The 18+ track is designed for university students or young adults motivated to deepen their knowledge of technology with a professional approach. The ideal participant has a basic understanding of computers and, preferably, some familiarity with programming concepts, though this is not required. They are curious, determined to explore cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in depth, and ready to commit to the entire duration of the program. Additionally, they have a valid ID for registration and participate with the goal of turning theoretical knowledge into concrete, certified skills that can be immediately applied in academic and professional contexts.
Extracurricular activities
In addition to the core educational activities, the program offers a range of extracurricular experiences designed to enjoy campus life to the fullest. Behind every activity is the Student Life Team, which has years of experience supporting students to make each experience meaningful, fun, and inspiring.
From outdoor sports and themed evenings to DJ sets, shared dinners, and relaxation moments, each day is designed to help participants discover new talents, make friends, and fully enjoy campus life in a safe and carefully curated environment.
H-FARM Campus: where innovation is born
A true ecosystem designed to inspire students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone eager to engage with the future.
H-FARM Campus is much more than a physical space: it’s a true ecosystem designed to inspire students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone eager to engage with the future. Located just a short walk from the Venetian lagoon, it’s an open, collaborative environment where education, technology, and creativity come together every day.
During this summer program, you will live and learn in a space designed to foster innovative and entrepreneurial thinking. The campus features education buildings, event halls, a conference center, a library, and collaborative areas where you can work in teams, meet mentors, and develop your business ideas.
During breaks, you can relax or stay active across more than 5,000 sqm of outdoor green spaces and 1,600 sqm of indoor facilities, with sports ranging from padel and rugby to skateboarding and beach volleyball. A young, dynamic, and international community will accompany you throughout the bootcamp.
H-FARM Campus is also a model of sustainability: it generates 85% of its own energy needs and promotes green mobility with electric vehicles, bike sharing, and charging stations. Innovation and environmental care come together in a space designed for the future.
Accommodation
During the summer program, you will stay at one of our accommodations: Marina.
Located in the enchanting Venetian lagoon, Marina is a true oasis just a few minutes from the H-FARM Campus (2 km). Two recently renovated barchesse—once the main dock connecting Portegrandi to Venice—now house fully equipped apartments with all modern comforts.
Here, students can experience campus life in a dynamic and inspiring environment, sharing not only their studies but also their passions.
Have questions? Contact us or sign up now!
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