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Sweden’s Diplomat Programme returns to Cybercampus

The diplomat students see Ihor Malchenyuk on a screen.
The diplomat students listen to Ihor Malchenyuk.
Published May 04, 2026

Cyber threats, geopolitics and AI, all in half a day. That was the reality when Sweden’s future diplomats once again gathered at Cybercampus. The recurring training collaboration has become a fixture in the Diplomat Programme.

A new batch of participants from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ diplomat programme recently visited Cybercampus for a tailored training day in cybersecurity. This time, the programme was delivered as a half-day, a compact and intensive session spanning a broad range of speakers and topics. And just like the previous edition, the future diplomats left with insights covering everything from personal IT security to major geopolitical developments, rounded off with a unique bonus at the end of the day.

The day at a glance

Mette Svensson, Business Development Manager for Education at Cybercampus welcomed the participants and provided an introduction to Cybercampus and the Swedish cybersecurity landscape. Throughout the session, participants heard from a handpicked selection of speakers with deep expertise in their respective fields.

Jacob Henricsson
Jacob Henricsson, Nördsnipe, opened with the fundamentals of cybersecurity: cyber hygiene and information security for organisations.
Thom Thavenius
Thom Thavenius, Deputy Head of Security at KTH, stepped back to paint the broader geopolitical and security landscape. What does the global threat picture look like, and what does it mean for Swedish interests abroad?
Ihor Malchenyuk
Ihor Malchenyuk, formerly of Ukraine’s Cyber Defense Department (SSSCIP) and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, shared experiences from the front lines. His talk – “Cyber defence in Ukraine: frontline case studies and strategic insights”, gave participants a rare look at how cyber defence operates under real and extreme conditions, and what lessons Sweden can draw from it.
Daniel Reinholdsson
Daniel Reinholdsson, Cyberdefencely, led a cyber resilience workshop focused on digital self-defence, exploring what individuals and organisations can concretely do to strengthen their resistance to cyberattacks.
Thomas Brännström
Thomas Brännström, Cisco, closed the programme with a forward-looking perspective: “AI under attack – how to protect future generative intelligence.” His session examined the pace of AI development and the new vulnerabilities that come with it.
Mette Svensson and Ingrid Tersman
Mette Svensson, Business Development Manager for Education at Cybercampus, and Ingrid Tersman, Ambassador and Principal of the Diplomat Programme.

“The participants from the Diplomat Programme had a great day”

On the sidelines of the training day, we spoke with Ingrid Tersman, Ambassador and Principal of the Diplomat Programme. Her role involves designing and delivering the education that newly recruited colleagues need before embarking on a career at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, whether posted at embassies abroad or working at the MFA in Stockholm, with a focus on Swedish foreign policy interests. She was clear that the day has become a recurring and valued part of the programme.

What did you make of the training day?

– The Diplomat Programme had a wonderful day at Cybercampus. Warm thanks to all the speakers! The content was well adapted to our participants, covering everything from personal IT security to the big strategic picture, as well as the rapid, dizzying leaps that AI development brings with it.

This training has become a regular feature – why do you think it’s important for diplomats to receive cybersecurity education?

– Technological development is advancing at a rapid pace. Swedish diplomats need to understand what cyber and cybersecurity mean, what Sweden is capable of as a leading innovation nation, and how the geopolitical landscape is taking shape. These are complex questions, and Cybercampus is able to build that understanding, for us as much as anyone. We are genuinely grateful for the collaboration we have established.

CYVAC – an early preview of tomorrow’s foundational training

Following the training day, all participants were given access to an early version of CYVAC: a digital foundational cybersecurity course developed by Cybercampus Sweden in collaboration with the Swedish Armed Forces, aimed at raising the baseline level of cybersecurity knowledge across society. The fact that Sweden’s future diplomats are among the very first to test the upcoming course is a testament to how well Cybercampus and the Diplomat Programme have found a shared direction.

What is CYVAC?

CYVAC (Cyber vaccination) is a digital foundational cybersecurity training developed by Cybercampus Sverige together with the Swedish Armed Forces, with the goal of raising the baseline level of cybersecurity knowledge across society.

  • Six modules combining theory, exercises and hands-on elements
  • An interactive platform designed for self-study in the browser
  • Takes approximately 2–3 hours to complete
  • Builds understanding of common cyber threats and how to protect yourself and your organisation
  • The pilot is conducted with an instructor available for guidance and questions

CYVAC has not yet been publicly launched. Interested in trying it? Please contact system developer mahalv@kth.se .

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