Cybersecurity awareness business - Simon Vestdijk | Phantom'sLab

Phantom’sLab in education

  • Organization: Simon Vestdijk
  • Name: Maaike Visser
  • Role: Technator Lower School Teacher, Research & Design and Mathematics
  • Why: We wanted to raise awareness about cyber threats among our students through training that was both fun and educational. We needed something interactive that would make cybersecurity feel relevant to young people’s daily digital lives rather than abstract or distant.
“Most students really enjoyed it, especially because their own teachers were featured in the game. It’s beautifully designed and excellent for raising awareness.”

Case summary

The challenge

Creating cybersecurity awareness among young students who often think they already know everything about digital safety. Students spend huge amounts of time online but don’t always understand the real risks they face. We needed something that would grab their attention and make cyber threats feel personal and relevant rather than just another classroom lesson they could tune out. The challenge was finding an approach that would work for diverse learners with different attention spans and interest levels.

The experience

Students had mixed reactions, which reflected the variety of learning styles and preferences in our classrooms. Most found it fun and educational, especially loving the personalization with their own teachers featured in the game. This personal touch made the scenarios feel much more real and engaging than generic examples would have. The interactive and practical approach helped students understand concepts through doing rather than just hearing about them.

However, some students found the game too long, especially playing individually on their laptops. After a while, some were simply “done” with sitting alone behind a screen. For next time, playing in pairs competing against each other might work better, creating more social interaction and keeping energy levels higher. Despite the length concerns for some, the game was challenging and interesting, creating real learning moments about how quickly simple mistakes can lead to problems.

The outcome

The game created greater awareness of digital risks and cyber threats among our students. They now understand how quickly a simple error can have serious consequences and how easily personal information can be misused. The practical approach made these lessons stick better than traditional teaching methods. Overall, it was highly interesting and excellent for raising awareness. The personalized setup was beautifully done and really worked well for most students. It’s definitely worth considering for future use, possibly with adjustments like pair play to keep all students engaged throughout.

Cybersecurity game Simon Vestdijk - Awareness | Phantom'sLab

“Phantom’s Game created genuine awareness among our students in a way that felt relevant to their lives. The personalization with our own teachers made it especially effective and engaging.”

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What our clients say

“Phantom’s Game transformed our students from confident learners into genuinely aware security professionals who understand their own vulnerabilities. The game uniquely blends excitement and education. Our students didn’t just understand cyber threats — they experienced them.”

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Michael Drent Cybersecurity Coordinator and Lecturer Continue reading

“Phantom’s Game transformed how we approach cybersecurity education at LJMU. Students voluntarily immersed themselves in realistic scenarios, gaining the kind of practical experience that strengthens both knowledge and resilience. This innovative approach gives students the chance to apply their knowledge in a realistic, immersive environment. It’s helped us strengthen resilience and make learning genuinely engaging and impactful.”

Liverpool John Moores University

Dr. Áine MacDermott Senior Docent in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics Continue reading

“At Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, we wanted to kick off the academic year with something that would truly grab attention and set the tone. Phantom’s Game did exactly that, turning cybersecurity from abstract theory into an engaging, hands-on experience. It was interactive, surprising, and sparked valuable discussions among students. A powerful and memorable way to build awareness from day one.”

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Ruben Julen Lecturer-Researcher in Digital Business Continue reading

“We were amazed by how fast passwords can be hacked. The solution made us realize that no matter how many security measures you take, you’re only as vulnerable as your weakest link.”

Studium

Peter Koelewijn Operational Director Continue reading

“Phantom’s Game is the perfect complement to traditional education. It transformed how we engage with cybersecurity, making learning enjoyable while preparing us better for our future careers.”

ROC Midden Nederland ICT College

Olivier van Zijl Student Software developer Continue reading

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