Cybersecurity and computer science education resources
Resources for learning and teaching cybersecurity, computer science, and cryptography.
Useful for students, teachers, curious learners, outreach activities, and younger audiences.
Recommended starting points
- Cybersecurity basics: SecNumacademie
- Cyber awareness: SensCyber
- French online course: OpenClassrooms - Découvrez l’univers de la cybersécurité
- Hands-on beginner practice: OverTheWire - Bandit
- Cryptography exercises: CryptoHack
- Children and outreach: CS Unplugged (FR)
- French programming practice: France-IOI
- CTF introduction: The CTF Primer
Channels and videos
Broad audience
- Micode: French-language channel on cybersecurity, online scams, and digital investigations.
- fern: Documentary-style videos on technology, cybersecurity, and the digital world.
- Cybernews: Cybersecurity news, short formats, and some longer documentary-style videos.
- LaurieWired: A mix of technical explanations and documentary-style cybersecurity content.
Technical audience
- LiveOverflow: Technical videos on vulnerabilities, exploitation, and security concepts.
- Low Level Learning: Videos on low-level systems, security, and vulnerabilities.
- John Hammond: Content on cybersecurity, CTFs, malware, and vulnerability analysis.
Foundations and activities for younger learners
Resources in this section are useful for outreach, introductory teaching, and activities with children or younger learners. They help introduce computing ideas before using technical tools.
Unplugged and classroom activities
- CS Unplugged (FR): Activities for teaching core computer science concepts without a computer.
- CS Unplugged at home: Activities that work well in small groups, families, or informal workshops.
- Classic CS Unplugged book: The historical CS Unplugged book, available as a free download.
- Classic CS Unplugged activities: Printable unplugged activities with explanations and worksheets.
- Teaching London Computing - Unplugged Computing: Notes and classroom material around unplugged computing.
- Teaching London Computing - Inspiring unplugged classroom activities: Activities on algorithms, image representation, recursion, and related topics.
- Barefoot Computing: Resources for introducing computing in class.
- Class’Code: French-language resources and training material for teaching computer science, programming, and digital culture.
- Pixees: French-language resources from Inria for sharing computer science and digital culture.
Introductory programming
- Scratch Learning Library: Activities, lesson ideas, and coding cards for children and educators.
- Code.org Curriculum Catalog: Courses and activities organised by age and level.
- Blockly Games: A gentle introduction to programming logic through short visual games.
- Lightbot: A puzzle game introducing sequencing, procedures, loops, and conditionals.
- France-IOI: French platform for learning programming and algorithmics through progressive exercises.
- France-IOI - Cours et problèmes: Courses and automatically corrected problems in several programming languages.
Computer science culture
- Computer Science Field Guide: A structured online resource for students who want a broader view of computer science.
- Khan Academy - Computer Science: Structured explanations for self-paced learning.
- cs4fn - Computer Science for Fun: Accessible articles connecting computer science to concrete ideas and problems.
- Interstices: French-language articles for understanding computer science and digital technologies.
- Pixees - Ressources: French resources for digital culture, mediation, and classroom activities.
Learning cybersecurity and cryptography
Getting started
- SecNumacademie: The ANSSI online course for learning the basics of digital security.
- SensCyber: A free French e-awareness programme on common cyberattacks and good security practices.
- Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr: French public-interest platform for prevention, assistance, and awareness around cyber threats.
- Khan Academy - Cryptography: A clear introduction to basic cryptography concepts.
- Kid Krypto - Public-Key Encryption: An unplugged activity for introducing public-key encryption.
- CrypTool: Useful for learning and experimenting with cryptography.
- CrypTool Online: Handy for small demonstrations and browser-based experiments.
French online courses
- OpenClassrooms - Découvrez les bases de la sécurité numérique: Introductory French course on online threats, privacy, fraud, and basic digital security.
- OpenClassrooms - Découvrez l’univers de la cybersécurité: French introduction to cyberattacks, incident response, and cybersecurity roles.
- FUN MOOC - Cybersécurité : usages et bonnes pratiques: French course on common threats and good security practices.
- FUN MOOC - Défis et enjeux de la cybersécurité: French MOOC on societal and technical aspects of cybersecurity.
- FUN MOOC - Sécurité des Réseaux Informatiques: French course on network security, threats, protection mechanisms, filtering, and VPNs.
Advanced courses
- Dan Boneh - Online Cryptography Course: A classic free online cryptography course from Stanford.
- Shafi Goldwasser - Lecture Notes on Cryptography: A well-known theoretical reference based on MIT cryptography teaching.
- Christof Paar - Introduction to Cryptography: A clear and applied introduction to modern cryptography.
- Jonathan Katz - Introduction to Cryptography notes: Lecture notes for a more formal university-level approach.
- CryptoHack: A hands-on way to learn modern cryptography through guided challenges.
- A Graduate Course in Applied Cryptography: A free advanced textbook by Dan Boneh and Victor Shoup.
Practice platforms
Beginner-friendly
- OverTheWire: Wargames for learning security concepts step by step.
- OverTheWire - Bandit: A good starting point for beginners.
- picoCTF: Learning, practice, and competitions for students.
- picoCTF - Getting Started: A clear entry point for learners and teachers.
- The CTF Primer: Introductory material for understanding and approaching CTF-style challenges.
- Pix: French platform for evaluating, developing, and certifying digital skills.
More advanced
- Root-Me: A large collection of challenges in many areas of security.
- Hack The Box: Labs and guided material for more advanced hands-on practice.
- HTB Academy: Structured learning paths and modules.
- OverTheWire - Natas: A useful introduction to server-side web security.
Tools
Cryptography and encoding
- dCode: Useful for classical ciphers, encodings, and small cryptanalysis exercises.
- dCode - Cipher Identifier: Handy when students need help identifying a cipher.
Physical computing
- micro:bit: Useful for simple physical computing activities.
- Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit: A simple way to connect programming with hardware projects.
For teachers
Classroom material
- Teaching London Computing - Resources: A good entry point for classroom-ready material.
- picoCTF - Learning Guides: Background material by topic for learners and teachers.
- Class’Code: French resources and training material for teaching computer science and digital culture.
- Pixees: French mediation resources for teaching and discussing computer science.
- France-IOI - Enseigner: Material and progressive exercises that can support programming teaching.
- CNIL - Education: French resources for teaching privacy, personal data protection, and safe digital practices.
- CNIL - Education for teachers: Resources for teachers and schools on privacy and personal data.
Institutional and French resources
- ANSSI - Guides, services numeriques et outils: Official guides and resources for improving cybersecurity practices.
- MesServicesCyber: A catalogue of services and resources from ANSSI and its partners.
- ANSSI - Formations labellisees: An entry point for recognised cybersecurity programmes.
- CyberEdu: A French initiative promoting cybersecurity education in academic curricula.
- Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr - Young audiences: French resources for awareness and support aimed at young audiences.
- Éduscol - Education and cybersecurity: French institutional resources on cybersecurity education.