Cybersecurity awareness education - University of Antwerp | Phantom'sLab

Phantom’sLab in higher education

  • Educational institution: University of Antwerp
  • Name: Tim Apers
  • Role: Coordinator & Teaching Assistant
  • Why: Digital resilience is no longer a luxury but a necessity, especially for students who will soon play key roles in organizations. We want to introduce students to cybercrime in an accessible but high impact way that focuses on immersion and awareness rather than boring theory.
“We don’t just want to inform students — we want to move them. Phantom’s Game sparks imagination, triggers reflection, and lets them experience firsthand how both vulnerable and powerful digital behavior can be.”

Case summary

The challenge

Not every student realizes how close cyber threats really are to their daily lives and future careers. In April 2026, we’re hosting an optional event for 100 interested students who want to learn more about this critical topic. We aim to engage them, surprise them, and challenge their own online behavior without any obligation but with real, lasting impact. The voluntary nature means we need an experience compelling enough to attract intrinsically motivated participants who are genuinely open to examining and changing their digital habits.

The experience

We expect students to gain insight not only into how cybercriminals think but also into their own vulnerabilities and digital blind spots. By offering the game voluntarily, we anticipate intrinsically motivated participants who are truly open to behavioral change rather than simply fulfilling a requirement. The combination of excitement, realism, and competition should ensure the message sticks well beyond the game itself.

The interactive format will allow students to safely explore attack strategies, understand social engineering tactics, and recognize patterns they might encounter in their personal and professional lives. We believe this hands on approach will create the kind of memorable learning that traditional lectures simply cannot achieve, preparing students to become digitally resilient professionals.

The outcome

The game will be played in April 2026. While the event has not yet taken place, we trust in the proven value of Phantom’s Game in higher education based on experiences at other institutions. We anticipate that students will be activated, alerted, and motivated to handle digital risks more intelligently. The immersive experience should transform abstract security concepts into tangible skills that students carry into their future careers, making them valuable assets to any organization they join.

Cybersecurity game Univerity of Antwerp - Awareness | Phantom'sLab

“Phantom’s Game represents our commitment to preparing students not just with knowledge, but with the lived experience and behavioral awareness they need to navigate an increasingly digital world.”

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Transform cybersecurity from policy into practice. Our interactive game creates real behavioral change, boosts your existing programs, and turns every student into an active defender.

What our clients say

“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

“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

“At the Municipality of Meierijstad, we wanted cybersecurity to be both fun and meaningful, something that truly resonates with people. Phantom’s Game delivered exactly that. It turned abstract risks into engaging, relatable experiences that got everyone involved and talking. The balance of competition, humor, and genuine insight made the topic accessible and left a lasting impact across the entire organization.”

Municipality of Meierijstad

Kees van Rooij Cyber Mayor of the Netherlands Continue reading

“At Fransen Gerrits, we believe it’s important that our people know how to deal with digital risks, especially since our insurer also emphasizes this. Joris convinced me that Phantam’s Game is not a standard awareness training, but rather something that truly sticks. And I haven’t regretted it for a second. Fun and educational. A must for any organization that wants more than just a dry presentation about cybersecurity.”

Fransen Gerrits

Huub Fransen Owner Continue reading

“At Snowminds, we wanted to boost cybersecurity awareness within our young, international team, without it feeling like another dull training. Phantom’s Game hit the mark perfectly. Competitive, fast-paced, and full of surprises, it kept everyone engaged from start to finish. It made digital risks feel real, sparked great conversations, and turned learning about cybersecurity into a fun and truly memorable experience.”

Snowminds

Yuri Bartels Owner Continue reading

“At the Municipality of Hardenberg, we wanted our colleagues to really feel what a cyberattack looks like – not just hear about it. Phantom’s Game turned out to be the perfect way to do that. Realistic, engaging, and full of surprises, it made cybersecurity tangible and sparked great conversations across departments. Fun, eye-opening, and definitely worth repeating.”

Municipality of Hardenberg

Joanne Hoogeveen Privacy Officer/Security Officer Continue reading

“At Biemans Accountants, we face digital threats like phishing and malware every day, so we needed a solution that would truly make an impact. Phantom´s Game proved to be the perfect mix of fun and realism — not just another dry training, but an engaging experience that made everyone think. It sparked meaningful discussions and built lasting awareness across our entire team.”

Biemans Accountants

Desirée van der Wielen Secretarial Employee Continue reading

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