THUAS takes key role in national cybersecurity programme
1 April 2026
THUAS, together with four other universities of applied sciences, has secured a subsidy of approximately €1 million for the national programme Cyber Security Learning Communities (CYRCLE).
This programme focuses on strengthening the cyber resilience of SMEs through structural collaboration between education, research, industry, and public partners.
Within this programme, THUAS’s Cyber Security Living Lab (CSyLL) plays a central role. Led by Peter Roelofsma, Professor of Risk Management & Cybersecurity at THUAS, the lab heads the West cluster.
Learning communities
CYRCLE brings together education, research, industry, and public partners in so‑called learning communities: long‑term collaborations that work structurally on current cybersecurity challenges. Across the Netherlands, four regional clusters (East, South, North, and West) and five leading universities of applied sciences (Saxion, Windesheim, Avans, NHL Stenden, and THUAS) each work on their own specialisation, ranging from behavioural change to security‑by‑design in the manufacturing industry.
Serious gaming
Within the West cluster, the focus is on serious gaming for cyber risk management. The lab has long been working with companies to develop interactive simulations and games. These tools help organisations gain insight into their cyber risks and develop action perspectives. “With companies such as Lumen, Siemens and Infinity IT, we’re already working on concrete challenges. This subsidy gives us the opportunity to further expand and deepen these collaborations”, says Peter Roelofsma, who is also director of the CSyLL.
One of the concrete projects within the cluster is the development of the so‑called Cyber War Game, which simulates realistic threats within maritime supply chains. By collaborating in this simulated environment, participants develop greater awareness of cyber threats and a foundation for strengthening the chain.
Role for IT&D Students
Students from various programmes within IT&D play an active role in the development and execution of the projects, including Simulation & Gaming, Information Security Management and Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence. Collaboration also extends to other knowledge institutions, such as Leiden University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and TU Delft. This creates a multidisciplinary network in which technical, organisational, and human aspects of cybersecurity come together.
Many CSyLL activities take place at the Dutch Innovation Factory, THUAS’s campus location in Zoetermeer. Here, the national collaboration gets a physical home, and work continues on further expanding the existing learning community.
“This programme acts as a flywheel”, Peter explains. “We are not only building new collaborations and insights but also creating a foundation for growth. It should become a catalyst for follow‑up projects and new forms of funding.”
In the coming period, the five universities of applied sciences and their regional clusters within CYRCLE will continue building a national network in which companies, students and researchers work together on tangible cybersecurity solutions that help SMEs better manage digital risks in their day‑to‑day operations. The Cyber Security Living Lab invites organisations to join and collaborate on challenges within their own areas of expertise.