Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School 2026

Develop your career in Cyber Security

The Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School (IDCSS) is an annual event organized by Dutch and Indian organizations for students based in the Netherlands or India and young professionals interested in cyber security issues. The central goal of this school is to give students and young professionals the opportunity to grow professionally and academically, through lectures and online action learning, in the sphere of cyber security.

Lecture Programme HCSS TEACH.

Attend the latest IDCSS

The need for ethical and highly educated young professionals in Cybersecurity is more pressing than ever. HCSS is proud to announce that IDCSS26 will be the ninth online course for young professionals in cyber security, held from 4th of September to the 9th October 2026. IDCSS26 offers a valuable opportunity for participants to gain further expertise in cybersecurity. Exemplary attendees may be rewarded with certificates in the specialties taught. Apart from a rich academic experience, participants have the chance to broaden their network and meet new people, including our expert speakers, our partner’s representatives, and fellow students.

Registration for non-Indian citizens Registration for Indian citizens

Programme and speakers

Over the years the Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School has held lectures on topics such as forensics in cybersecurity, data protection, blockchain, artificial intelligence, cyber arms watch and cloud computing. Our expert speakers come from a range of backgrounds in computer science, crisis and security management, law and industry. Previous speakers have included Christopher Painter – fmr. US Cyber Diplomat, and Venkatesh Murthy – Director of Data Security Council of India. In addition to the lectures, students will deepen their knowledge through action learning challenges, undertaken in multi-displinary groups and judged by the IDCSS partners. View the latest programme here.

IDCSS26 Programme

HCSS TEACH.

HCSS TEACH is the main point of contact for participants of the Cyber Security Schools. Here you will find all the information needed to attend and participate in the school. Lecture schedules with Microsoft Teams links, the cyber resilience games sessions, partner challenges, announcements and all the information you need. Attendance for the school is tracked through the platform. Shortly before the school starts you will be able to log into the platform. Be sure to use the same email address and name used for your registration. 

HCSS TEACH.
To be announced

Number of registrations

Participating organisations

Our partners in academia, government and industry

Since its inception the IDCSS has been supported by over twenty partners in industry, research and government. Our partners have included Governments of Karnataka and Telangana in India, The Hague Municipality, Embassy of India in The Netherlands, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace, TU Delft, Verizon and Symantec. As a result, students can partake in IDCSS for a nominal fee and distinguish themselves in front of their potential employers. Last year our partners included BlackPerl, Terra Eagle, Cynorsense and Globals Inc., Blockverse Institute and Cyber People B.V.

IDCSS25 Testimonials: previous participants

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Previous Indo-Dutch Cyber Security Schools

The 2025 edition of IDCSS had over 8,000 participants from India and the Netherlands, who awarded the program a 7.8 out of 10 overall. Download the factsheet of the 2025 edition here.

The 2024 edition of IDCSS had over 2500 participants from India and the Netherlands, who awarded the program an 8.4 out of 10 overall. Download the factsheet of the 2024 edition here.

The 2023 edition of IDCSS had over 3300 participants from India and the Netherlands. Download the factsheet of the 2023 edition here.

In 2022 we had more than 2700 participants. Over 4 weeks in 2022 we held 20 specialist cyber security lectures and 5 multi-displinary challenges. In 2022, 95% of students were based in India and 5% based in the Netherlands. In 2021, 51% of participants were undergraduate students, 45% were graduate students and 4% PhD candidates. Since 2015, our cyber security schools have been held with the cooperation Municipality of The Hague and the Indian states of Telangana and Karnataka. Watch the 2020 IDCSS Inaugural Session here.

Strategic Cyber Resilience Game

The Strategic Cyber Resilience Game will also be a part of IDCSS26. In order to achieve your Certificate of Attendance, your will have to actively participate in the game as well as attend >75% of the lectures. More information on this will be shared when you register. 

In previous editions of IDCSS, students had the opportunity to play the Cyber Resilience Game as well. The intent of the game is to further educate the students on all different aspects of cyber resilience and challenge them to assess what capabilities are required to make India more cyber resilient. The game is played over a period of two weeks, guided by 3 online sessions, and played by more than 400 students. This component of the IDCSS curriculum gives the participants valuable insights about what lessons must be learned to make the Indo-Dutch cooperation and partnership more secure in our uncertain world. Based on the results of the 2023 game, a report was published on cyber resilience efforts in India, which can be downloaded here.

Find out more about HCSS serious gaming here. 

Hackathons

IDCSS participants have the opportunity to extend their learning further and take part in innovative ‘hackathons’ in the Netherlands and India. IDCSS incentivizes participants to engage in multiple hackathons including Hackathon for Good, which is based in The Hague. More collaborations between IDCSS and hackathons will be announced soon!

Keep your eye on the Hackathon for Good website for when registrations open!

News

IDCSS25 partners with Cyber People and BlockVerse Institute!

We are excited to announce a new collaboration between the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS), organiser of the Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School (IDCSS), and Cyber People, a leading organisation in cyber talent recruitment and placement, and BlockVerse Institute, a future ready skilling and workforce transformation partner. Cyber People and BlockVerse Institute will support IDCSS in identifying top-performing students and skilling them based on industry demand. The skilling is to get them job ready and will be a self-paid, part-time, 3 months long program after IDCSS finishes. Students who perform well in this job readiness cohort will then be connected with relevant career opportunities within the cyber industry. You can already register your interest in the link!

The 8th edition of the Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School (IDCSS25) is open for registrations!

The 8th Edition of the Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School (IDCSS25) is now open for registrations! IDCSS25 will run from October 6th to November 7th, 2025. IDCSS is an annual online 5 week course for students and young to mid-career professionals who are interested in cybersecurity based in India or the Netherlands. Make sure to register now to secure your spot!

The Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School is back for 2023

The annual Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School, co-organised by The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE), the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) is back for another year! The Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School 2023 is supported by The Municipality of The Hague, Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in New Delhi, Embassy of India in The Hague, and Government of Telangana. Aimed at students and young professionals based in the Netherlands and India, IDCSS offers a unique platform to delve into the realm of cyber security. With a strong focus on professional and academic growth, this month long programme features engaging lectures, team working and interactive projects, empowering participants to excel in the field of cyber security.

Indo-Dutch Innovators: interview with Michel Rademaker on cybersecurity

For their Indo-Dutch Innovator series, the Netherlands Innovation Network India spoke to Michel Rademaker, Deputy Director at HCSS and one of the key persons behind the Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School 2022. Michel talked about cybersecurity, cyber diplomacy and the benefits of an Indo-Dutch collaboration in the cyber sector.

Launch of the 5th edition of the Indo-Dutch Cybersecurity School (IDCSS22)

We are delighted to announce the 5th edition of the Indo-Dutch Cybersecurity School (IDCSS22), an online programme, is launching today. This 4-week free course is a joint initiative of Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS), Data Security Council of India (DSCI), the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence Telangana, the Municipality of The Hague, the Embassy of India in The Hague, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New Delhi, along with several partner organizations and sponsors.
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Meet the lecturers

  • Michel Rademaker

    Michel Rademaker is one of the co-founders of HCSS and the Deputy Director. His fields of expertise include security strategy, policy, concepts and doctrines, technology assessments, geopolitical and economic security implications of climate change, raw materials and energy supply and serious gaming techniques.

    At IDCSS, he will host the ‘Cyber Resilience Game’, an online serious-game that allows students to practically engage with hypothetical cyber incidents. The game will be explained in 3 Phases and end with a results session.

    Michel Rademaker

    Deputy Director HCSS

  • Jeroen Prinse

    Jeroen Prinse is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with nearly two decades of experience bridging the gap between technical security measures and business objectives. As the Founder and Owner of Het Security Office, he specializes in translating complex information security concepts into actionable strategies that align with organizational goals. His expertise spans various industries, including government, finance, technology, and logistics.

    At IDCSS, he will provide a lecture on Building a Cyber Resilience Target Operating Model for the AI Era.

    Jeroen Prinse

    Founder and Owner of Het Security Office

  • Marijn van Schoote

    Marijn van Schoote studied Computer Engineering and Business Information Systems in Twente. After working for several years as an IT auditor at Deloitte, he spent over a decade as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), responsible for the digital resilience of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Currently, Marijn is the Managing Director of Ferm-Seaports.

    At IDCSS, he will provide a lecture on Cyber Security in Ports and Critical Infrastructure.

    Marijn van Schoote

    Managing Director of Ferm-Seaports

  • Rutger Leukfeldt

    Rutger Leukfeldt holds the special chair of Governing Cybercrime, established and managed by the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR). Rutger’s education and research focuses on the human factor in cybercrime. Who are the perpetrators, what are their crime scripts? What are risk profiles of victims? How can we tackle cybercrime?

    Rutger has more than 130 cybercrime publications to his name (including more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, 6 books and numerous professional publications and reports). Rutger is chair of the Cybercrime Working Group of the European Society of Criminology (ESC) and one of the founders of the annual Human Factors in Cybercrime Conference.

    At IDCSS, he will provide a lecture on Cybercriminology: the human factor in cybercrime.

    Rutger Leukfeldt

    Senior Researcher Cybercrime at NSCR

  • Thomas Attema

    Thomas Attema is a senior researcher in the Applied Cryptography and Quantum Applications department of TNO and the Cryptology group of CWI. He obtained his PhD at the Mathematical Institute of Leiden University. He focuses on the development and deployment of novel cryptographic techniques designed to withstand quantum attacks. Additionally, he explores advanced cryptographic functionalities that enable privacy-preserving data analysis.

    At IDCSS, he will provide a lecture on The Quantum Threat to Cryptography.

    Thomas Attema

    Senior Researcher at TNO

  • Godert Jan van Manen

    Godert Jan van Manen is a seasoned cyber security, technology risk and control specialist with over 25 years of hands-on experience, guiding organizations through complex challenges. His career has spanned critical areas such as technology design, large-scale implementations, migrations, and disaster recovery teams — all while keeping security, governance, and compliance at the forefront at diverse commercial companies and government institutions

    With a deep understanding of risk management frameworks and control principles, Godert Jan has helped businesses across diverse industries strengthen their defenses against evolving cyber threats. He is known not only for his technical expertise but also for his ability to translate complex security concepts into clear, actionable strategies that resonate with executives and teams alike.

    Calm under pressure and focused on alignment with business objectives, Godert Jan brings both strategic insight and practical experience to the table — making him a trusted voice on how organizations can thrive in an increasingly digital and risk-laden world.

    At IDCSS, he will provide a lecture on Cybersecurity in large educational institutions.

    Godert Jan van Manen

    Information Security Officer at Lucas Onderwijs

  • Allison Pytlak

    Allison Pytlak is the Senior Fellow and Director of the Cyber Program at the Stimson Center. Her research on cybersecurity has examined the interplay between cyber operations and international relations including state-centric cyber policy and multilateral governance structures, with a focus on United Nations (UN) processes and frameworks. In this context Pytlak has leveraged her significant experience in multilateral arms control and disarmament policy to identify opportunities for effectively advancing international law, norms and governance frameworks towards reducing cyber harm. Current projects focus on accountability and deterrence, multilateral policy and process, as well as cybercrime scam operations.

    In her prior role with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Pytlak monitored and reported on the UN’s working group on state behavior on cyber space and played an important role as a liaison and advocate for civil society participation. She has researched, published, and provided numerous trainings about the gendered and human rights-based dimensions of cyber security and diplomacy.

    Prior to joining Stimson, Pytlak managed WILPF’s disarmament program where she contributed to its monitoring and analysis of UN disarmament processes including on cyber security and advanced feminist perspectives on international security topics through research and advocacy. Pytlak has worked within international civil society disarmament networks for more than 15 years, including as former staff of the Control Arms Coalition and on the governance body of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.

    She holds an Honours B.A. in International Relations from the University of Toronto and an M.A., also in International Relations, from the City University of New York where her graduate research focused on inter-state cyber conflict.

    At IDCSS, she will provide a lecture on Cyber Security Governance.

    Allison Pytlak

    Senior Fellow and Director of the Cyber Program at the Stimson Center

  • Christopher Painter

    Chris Painter is a globally recognized leader and expert on cybersecurity and cyber policy, Cyber Diplomacy and combatting cybercrime. He has been on the vanguard of U.S. and international cyber issues for over twenty five years—first as a prosecutor of some of the most high-profile cybercrime cases in the country and then as a senior official at the Department of Justice, FBI, the National Security Council and finally the State Department. He has initiated, helped drive, or advised on virtually every major U.S. cyber policy for over a decade and has created innovative new organizations and approaches to deal with threats and take advantage of opportunities in cyberspace.

    In his most recent government role as the nation’s top cyber diplomat, Mr. Painter coordinated and led the United States’ diplomatic efforts to advance an open, interoperable, secure and reliable Internet and information infrastructure and advised the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of State on these emerging issues. The pioneering office that Mr. Painter established — the Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues — was the first high-level position and office dedicated to advancing the diplomatic aspects of cyber issues ranging from national security to human rights matters. These issues include promoting norms of responsible state behavior and cyber stability, preventing cyber conflict, enhancing deterrence, advancing cybersecurity, fighting cybercrime, promoting multi-stakeholder Internet governance and advancing Internet freedom.

    Among many other things, Mr. Painter was instrumental in negotiating a landmark agreement regarding the theft of intellectual property with China, negotiating a comprehensive cyber cooperation agreement with India, using diplomatic and other tools to combat high-profile cyber attacks and intrusions, and launching first of their kind “whole of government” cyber dialogues and capacity building programs with dozens of countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. He and his team also spearheaded the promotion of an international framework of cyber stability that includes building a consensus around norms of acceptable behavior and getting agreement on transparency and confidence-building measures designed to reduce the risk of miscalculation that could inadvertently lead to conflict in cyberspace.

    Prior to joining the State Department, Mr. Painter served in the White House as Senior Director for Cyber Policy and Acting Cyber Coordinator in the National Security Council. He was a senior member of the team that conducted the President’s Cyberspace Policy Review in 2009 and he subsequently helped create and then structure a new directorate in the National Security Council devoted to these issues.

    Mr. Painter has been a frequent media spokesperson and presenter on cyber issues around the globe. He was named the Bartels World Affairs Fellow by Cornell University for 2017-2018 and chosen as a member of the Board of the Center for Internet Security. He is the recipient of the prestigious RSA Award for Excellence in the Field of Public Policy (2016), the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the Intelligence Community Legal Award (2008) and has been named to the “Federal 100” list, among other honors. He is a graduate of Stanford Law School and Cornell University and clerked for US Circuit Judge Betty Fletcher. Currently Mr Painter serves as a Commissioner in the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace.

    At IDCSS, he will provide a lecture on Ransomware.

    Christopher Painter

    Senior Fellow, Cyber security

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will the IDCSS26 take place? 

A: The IDCSS26 will take place between the 4th of September and the 9th of October 2026. Lectures will start on the 7th of September and run every day for the next three weeks. The last lecture will take place on the 21st of September. This will be followed by two weeks of challenges, during which students will work in groups to complete several target-oriented tasks. The results of the Strategic Cyber Resilience Game and the challenges will be announced on the final week of the IDCSS26, with the closing ceremony to be held on the 9th of October. Find the full programme here. 

Q: How much time should I reserve for IDCSS26 courses and assignments? 

A: Students are expected to be engaged part-time in the IDCSS26 programme, so as not to be hindered in fulfilling their academic obligations in their respective universities. More specifically, attendants will be required to spend approximately 20 hours on lectures and 10 hours on assignments, spread out over 4 weeks. 

Q: When will the final program details be released? 

A: The final programme details are expected in due time, including details about courses and lecturers. Details on the assignments will be released halfway through the courses, in which time the selection of participants among the pool of students will be made. 

Q: I do not have a background in Cybersecurity. Can I apply to IDCSS26?

A: Yes, you can! The lectures of the IDCSS26 are designed in such a way that they provide a mixture of content for both students who are new to the field as well as attendees that wish to build upon pre-existing knowledge.

Q: I don’t fulfill all the criteria. Can I apply to IDCSS26? 

A: Yes! Your motivation and acquired knowledge about cybersecurity also matters. Students who fulfill the criteria and are also highly motivated will be given priority. 

Q: Is there a participation fee? 

A: There is no fee for participants.

Q: How are courses going to be conducted? 

A: This year’s courses are going to be conducted online. Participants will need a digital device (desktop, laptop or smartphone) that uses enough bandwidth and has a stable connection in order to be able to attend the lectures, which are going to be livestreamed using Microsoft Teams and livestreamed on the IDCSS YouTube channel. 

Q: Will I receive credits? 

A: We are currently in discussion with various Colleges regarding a credit system for the IDCSS. More information will be published on the official IDCSS website. Apart from credits, participating students will receive an official certificate upon completion of the IDCSS26. 

Students who manage to successfully complete the school will receive up to two certificates by the end of the program. 

Indian students have the opportunity to do tests during the program, which will provide graded results.

Q: What kind of Certificate will I receive?

A: The IDCSS provides students with two types of certification. For attending >75% of lectures in the first part of the IDCSS program, and successfully completing the Strategic Cyber Resilience Game, students will receive a Certificate of Attendance. Upon completion of a Challenge in the second part of the IDCSS program, students will receive a Certification of Participation.

Q: What are the requirements for receiving a Certificate?

A: Students who have successfully participated in at least 75% of the IDCSS lectures AND have actively played the Strategic Cyber Resilience Game, were present at two out of three Game sessions and submitted their final deliverable, will receive an official Certificate of Attendance. Upon successful completion of a Challenge, students will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Link to: Michel Rademaker

Michel Rademaker

Deputy Director

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