Cyberworkplace provided me with a solid foundation in the cybersecurity field and helped me gain a clearer understanding of the career opportunities

Matei Runcanu, Former student & ambassador of Cyberworkplace

Please introduce yourself.

I am Matei, a 21-year-old originally from Romania, currently living in The Hague. I am pursuing my bachelor’s degree in safety and security management at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. In terms of cybersecurity, I enjoy learning and practicing new skills in the area of ethical hacking, but also social engineering. Outside of my studies, I like to keep myself physically active through bouldering and other sports, but also to cook and spend time with friends.

When did you join Cyberworkplace? 

I joined Cyberworkplace in October 2021. I’ve always been interested in computers and from a young age was determined to understand how they worked. As my skills progressed, I was able to start coding and create my first applications, eventually discovering the captivating world of cybersecurity. As my current university study did not provide the technical aspect of cybersecurity, I was looking for a place where I could pursue my interests and learn from professionals in the field. Cyberworkplace presented a fantastic opportunity to achieve my objectives.

What did you like about Cyberworkplace? 

One of the things I really appreciated about Cyberworkplace was the sense of community among like-minded individuals. A place where we had the opportunity to learn valuable skills from industry professionals through live demonstrations and interactive workshops that encouraged participation and understanding of the concepts being discussed. I also found the flexibility of the program appealing, as there were two main ways to learn new skills in cybersecurity: weekly workshops and individual courses that could be completed at your own pace, regardless of your level. The fact that certificates were awarded upon completion of each course was especially helpful for someone like me who was just starting out in the field. Furthermore, I found the Cyberworkplace staff to be extremely supportive, even assisting with the internship search by providing their expertise and access to a large pool of partners who offered internships to students that were interested. 

What have you learned at Cyberworkplace?

During my time at Cyberworkplace I had the opportunity to learn new technical skills in areas such as coding, basics of networking, ethical hacking but also social engineering which focused more on the individual and psychological aspect of cybersecurity. Overall, Cyberworkplace provided me with a solid foundation in the cybersecurity field and helped me gain a clearer understanding of the career opportunities available in this industry.

What is your most favorite moment at Cyberworkplace? 

My favorite moment at Cyberworkplace was being able to lead a workshop on OSINT and phishing. I had the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with my fellow students, shifting from the role of a learner to that of a presenter.

What are you currently up to?

Currently, I am finishing my bachelors degree at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, but also working part-time as a junior consultant for a cyber consultancy company known as Revnext. Here I create teachings in the area of cybersecurity, but also shadow ongoing pentests in order to improve my skills and eventually become a pen-tester.

Describe Cyberworkplace with three words.

Innovative, collaborative, empowering.

Would you recommend Cyberworkplace to your friends and acquaintances? 

I would and have recommended Cyberworkplace to friends and fellow students from university. I would tell them that it is the perfect environment for anyone interested and passionate about cybersecurity.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

If you are reading this article and are contemplating joining Cyberworkplace, I would highly encourage you to do so. You never know, it might be the beginning of your career in cybersecurity! Apart from that, I would like to thank everyone that is making Cyberworkplace run as smoothly as it is and to all the guest lecturers that took time to present to us!

Check the requirements and join Cyberworkplace here.