SecPort, the learning portal built as part of Aalto University’s Cyber Citizen project, strengthens citizens’ cybersecurity skills across the EU

Artificial intelligence improves user experience  

Netum started planning SecPortal at the beginning of 2024 after winning the competitive bidding. The Moodle learning environment is integrated into the portal produced on Microsoft’s Azure platform, which makes it possible to complete even very extensive online courses. The AI function for logged-in users tailors the content to fit the user’s level of competence and interests. The chatbot also serves the portal users by answering their questions. 

Christoffer Brunberg, Project Manager of Netum’s team who is responsible for digital service solutions in the higher education sector, describes raising awareness of information security issues as meaningful work. 

 - "In terms of its scale and social significance, this has been a unique project for us. Information security always starts from the person and whether they understand the risks they may encounter when browsing the internet. That’s why it’s so important to make cybersecurity information understandable with the most effective methods," says Brunberg. 

According to Brunberg, the understanding of information security risks is relatively high in Finland. Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement, as threats are constantly changing and online scams are becoming more difficult to detect. SecPort also offers help in acute problem situations. The orange "panic button" tells you what to do if you think that you are being scammed.  

 - "The portal combines teaching, technology, information security and research in an exceptional way. It is rare to be able to influence such a large potential user base with such a good cause," says Brunberg. 

From researched data to concrete tools 

 Lindroth from Aalto University emphasises that SecPort’s content is based on research on how Europeans can best learn cybersecurity skills. The online portal gathers methods suitable for many different types of learners in one place. Such extensive cooperation with the university, public sector and companies is exceptional.  

- "It is quite rare for a project to produce both research data and make practical applications based on the data. In addition to the project team, we worked with partners to produce practical applications, which proved to be a fruitful way of working," says Lindroth.  

Lindroth would like to thank Netum in particular for the flexible cooperation. It was necessary to react quickly to changes in plans as needs changed along the way.  

 - "Netum’s experts have a strong ability to listen to the customer and understand the big picture. Netum’s way of independently proposing new policies and professionally organise project management has helped us succeed," says Lindroth.  

Brunberg from Netum also praises the smooth cooperation.  

 - "We implemented the project in a good spirit and with mutual understanding. Our experts found the work very meaningful and socially important," says Brunberg. 

 SecPort has already been published in 24 different languages and the website is continuously expanded in terms of content. In Finland, SecPort has already aroused interest in various agencies, educational institutions and companies.  

 - "I hope that as many individuals as possible, but also different organisations, will find the portal. Even organisations which do not offer their own information security training or do not have an industry expert can train their employees in the portal with a low threshold," says Lindroth.