ABOUT SPARC

WHAT IS SPARC?

Interested in cybersecurity? Join the SPARC community and develop the skills you need to become a Cyber Defender. SPARC is a cybersecurity training programme run by the Swiss Armed Forces that takes place before military service. It is open to all Swiss citizens aged 16 and over and is available free of charge until the start of basic military training. The entire programme, including the platform and learning content, is developed and operated by Swiss companies from the private sector.

SPARC was created to provide young people like you with opportunities in an exciting, forward-looking field. Cybersecurity is more relevant than ever and continues to grow in importance. As a result, young cybertalents like you are in high demand in the Swiss Armed Forces, the private sector and the public sector.

Through this training, SPARC gives you the opportunity to acquire practical cybersecurity skills that will give you a head start on your academic and professional path.

IN A NUTSHELL

SPARC is funded by the Swiss Armed Forces
SPARC is developed and operated by Swiss private-sector companies
Participation is free (you only have to cover your travel costs for the experience days)
SPARC opens up excellent opportunities and prospects in the field of cybersecurity

HOW DOES SPARC WORK?

Are you wondering how SPARC works and what is expected of you? Then you’ve come to the right place!

SPARC is an e-learning platform offering a structured learning path combining classic e-learning content with hands-on virtual lab scenarios and in-person experience days. This blended learning approach combines independent e-learning with the practical application and validation of cybersecurity concepts in lab scenarios and during experience days.

SPARC places a strong emphasis on personal responsibility and independent learning. You should expect to invest around 200–300 hours in total to complete the entire programme.

There are no traditional classroom lessons. You set your own goals and organise your learning time independently.

All learning content and communication is in English, as it is the language used by the global cybersecurity community.

Participation in at least one experience day is mandatory to complete SPARC. There are no requirements for registering for an experience day. You can decide whether you want to start by building up your basic cybersecurity skills or take part straight away.

THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS AT A GLANCE

SPARC uses a blended learning approach that combines traditional e-learning with virtual lab scenarios and experience days.
You actively work through the content, build your skills and put what you learn into practice online.
There is no classroom-based teaching.
Depending on your prior experience, completing the SPARC learning path takes around 200–300 hours.
There are no fixed learning times or deadlines – you organise your time independently.
Only the experience days take place on site and have fixed dates, with up to 75 participants coming together to tackle exciting challenges.
You can take part in SPARC up to the start of your basic military training, or up to the age of 24.
All learning content and communication is in English.

THE SPARC LEARNING JOURNEY

The SPARC learning path is structured around three phases: Explorer, Defender and Operator. It is designed to make cybersecurity skills accessible to everyone. The three phases build on one another.

Throughout the learning path, SPARC requires independence, a willingness to learn, and personal responsibility. You are encouraged to explore topics beyond the platform’s content and continue learning independently. All learning content refers to external resources and tools to help you successfully complete SPARC.

The SPARC learning path includes tests and challenges as part of the courses.

Explorer

In the Explorer phase, you learn the fundamentals of IT that are relevant for the later stages of the program.

Defender

The Defender phase introduces the key challenges and core concepts of cybersecurity and gives you insight into the role and capabilities of a Cyber Defender.

Operator

In the Operator phase, you combine what you have learned in the Explorer and Defender phases and deepen your skills in a specific cybersecurity role.

SPARC COURSE STRUCTURE

Here you can find out more about how the online courses on the SPARC platform are structured.

Each course consists of several modules, which break the course down into specific topics and skills.
These modules are then divided into units that build on one another in order to achieve the course’s learning objectives.
Many modules include references to external sources, tools, and resources. You are expected to work through these independently. Depending on the course, modules include various tests or quizzes to check what you have learned.
Depending on the course, modules include various tests or quizzes to check what you have learned.
These tests and quizzes are mainly for self-assessment, so you can see how well you’ve understood the content and built your skills.
Some modules include virtual lab challenges, in which you can apply what you have learned.
These consist of various tasks that must be completed within defined scenarios. They are automatically assessed.
A course is completed once all modules, tests, quizzes and lab challenges have been completed.

SPARC EXAMS

The exams are currently under development. The SPARC team is reviewing different options for the structure of the exams, as well as possible certification models.

SKIP TESTS

Skip tests are optional tests in the Explorer phase. If you pass a skip test, you can skip the corresponding course.

Skip tests are skill gap tests that help you assess your skill level in a specific subject area.
They are time-limited and the questions become more challenging as you progress.
They are designed so that it may not be possible to answer all the questions within the given time.
You can choose to take a skip test or go straight to completing the full course.
Even if you pass a skip test, you can still choose to complete the entire course.
Skip tests have no impact on later exam results or completion of SPARC.

INTERMEDIATE AND FINAL EXAMS

There are two exams in the SPARC learning path: an intermediate exam after completing the Defender phase, and a final exam after completing the Operator phase.

You get two attempts per exam.
Each exam covers the content and skills from the previous phase or phases.
The exams take place online.
If you do not pass an exam after two attempts, you will not be able to complete SPARC.

SPARC IS CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVING

Planned extensions can be found in the roadmap.

ZUR ROADMAP

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES SPARC OPEN UP?

SPARC offers a unique training programme that covers everything from basic to highly specialised cybersecurity skills, both in theory and in practice.

Successful completion of SPARC opens up a wide range of opportunities, both within and beyond the Swiss Armed Forces.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ARMED FORCES & THE CYBER COURSE

At all times, the Armed Forces must be able to protect their information and communication systems against cyberattacks, whether during day-to-day operations, crisis situations or conflicts.

The Swiss Armed Forces have been offering a Cyber Course since 2018. This course is aimed at conscripts in the Swiss Armed Forces. It enables Swiss citizens who are fit for military service to serve in the cyber domain after completing basic military training.

Thanks to its Cyber Course, the Armed Forces have access to highly specialised conscript personnel in all situations. These conscripts are deployed in support of Cyber Command, where they assist professional units in protecting military information systems and IT networks, and help ensure long-term operational capability.

If you are interested in the Cyber Course, we strongly recommend that you complete SPARC before you start your basic military training. This programme provides excellent preparation for the Cyber Course.

Once you are in basic military training, let your direct superior know that you are interested in the Cyber Course. They will pass this on, and you will then be invited to take part in the selection process.

Important: Please note that successfully completing SPARC does not guarantee a place on the Cyber Course – but it does improve your chances.

Graduates of the Cyber Course can expect to be deployed in a variety of interesting military roles, including:

Security Operation Centre (SOC)
Military Computer Emergency Response Team
Cyber Situation Centre
Cyber Training Range
Data Science
Communications intelligence.

Assignments are generally based on the needs of the Armed Forces and your individual skills.

FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE CYBER COURSE

In the civilian sector, graduates of the Cyber Course benefit from simplified admission to the professional examination Cyber Security Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education.
Participation in international exercises

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ARMED FORCES

With the establishment of Cyber Battalion 42 and the development of Electronic Division 46, the Swiss Armed Forces now offer real career paths in the cyber domain. This means that if you are interested in a career in the cyber domain within the Armed Forces, there are now clear follow-on opportunities with exciting prospects. The Cyber Command also offers a range of unique roles in different areas.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Successfully completing SPARC will equip you with the cybersecurity to support your future career. After finishing SPARC, you receive a certificate along with an extended diploma supplement that documents your acquired skills. Both are officially endorsed by the Swiss Armed Forces and ICT Berufsbildung Schweiz.

JOBS IN THE CYBER DOMAIN

Career opportunities in cybersecurity are diverse and have little in common with the clichés often seen in films and TV. Cyber roles range from management-level positions, such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) roles, to highly technical profiles, including Cyber Security Specialist roles.

Cyber skills are future-proof skills – in a dynamic, constantly evolving professional field.

You can register for SPARC at an onboarding event. The exact dates and locations are published on the website.

REGISTER NOW FOR AN ONBOARDING EVENT

NAVIGATION