FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You can only register for SPARC in person at an onboarding event. The dates and locations of onboarding events are published under Events. To register, you will need a valid ID or passport (driving licences are not accepted) and your AHV number.

To register, you need:

• a valid ID or passport (driving licence is not permitted)
• your social insurance number (AHV number)
• a completed registration form

The dates for onboarding events are published regularly on the website under Events. Prior registration for these events is required.

You can access the SPARC platform via the yellow Login button on the SPARC website (top right).

In this case, a new registration letter must be issued and sent. You can order one directly at https://idp.viam.admin.ch/selfadmin/newletter?login&language=de

No. To join SPARC, you first register for an onboarding event via the website (under Events). You can then attend the onboarding event and complete your SPARC registration in person.

Registration must be completed in person with a valid ID or passport (driving licences are not accepted) and your AHV number. If registration was not completed, you will need to attend another onboarding event. These are listed under Events on the website.

SPARC is open to Swiss citizens aged 16 and over up to the age of 22. The learning content is specifically designed for the target audience and provides young people with an introduction to the professional cyber domain, as well as preparation for the Swiss Armed Forces' Cyber Course.

In principle, participation is possible. Please note, however, that onboarding must take place in person and that a registered letter must be sent to a Swiss address.

Yes, people with disabilities can also take part in SPARC. Each case is considered on an individual basis to enable participation. Please email us at info@sparc-cyberdefence.ch and describe your situation.

Personal data is collected for verification purposes during onboarding and stored in the Armed Forces' access system. Physical documents are then destroyed. During the programme, registered participants are identified using a pseudonym.

• You are a Swiss citizen.
• You are at least 16 years old at the time of registration.
• You have good English skills (the course language is English).
• You have access to a laptop, or PC and the internet.

SPARC comes from the word 'sparkling'. The aim of the programme is to discover raw talent – diamonds in the rough – and develop it in a secure and supportive setting, helping to strengthen both personal cybersecurity and Switzerland's cybersecurity.

The time it takes to complete SPARC varies from person to person, but the programme does not run indefinitely:

accounts that remain inactive for two years are automatically deleted.

As English is the international standard in cybersecurity, all learning content, experience days and onboarding events are conducted in English.

The time required varies depending on the individual and their prior IT experience. On average, completing the entire programme takes around 200–300 hours.

SPARC has been developed and built by private companies and is funded by the Swiss Armed Forces. This approach combines the strengths of the Armed Forces with those of civilian partners, making it possible to keep pace with the rapid development of cybersecurity and offer young cyber talents up-to-date training.

Currently, no exams are available. The format of any possible exams, and whether they are required, are still under review. You can check the roadmap for updates on progress and new developments.

You can change your hacker name under My Account in your personal information on the platform. We recommend doing this as soon as you have access to the platform. The first course, Discover the Cyber World (1010), explains this in more detail.

Yes, participation in SPARC is free of charge. If you're travelling to an experience day (in-person learning event), you can request an SBB day travelcard at half fare up to one week before the event by emailing sparc.cy@vtg.admin.ch.

Anonymity and data protection – known in the cyber domain as operational security – are essential in cybersecurity work. SPARC protects your privacy. These operational security principles are also an integral part of the programme itself.

Absolutely! One of SPARC's goals is to build a community of young people interested in cybersecurity. SPARC provides a community platform for this purpose. Please bear in mind that interaction takes place under your hacker name, and you should not share any personal information.

Absolutely! SPARC gives you the opportunity to develop your cyber skills and supports you in building the skills you need for the Cyber Course. Even if you are unable to complete all the courses, you will benefit from each one and it will help prepare you for what follows.

Experience days are held in major cities across Switzerland.

Details about upcoming experience days are published on the SPARC platform. Information on registration is shared via the programme's communication channels.

During experience days, you take part in workshops covering various cybersecurity topics and work together as a team to solve challenges. The programme also includes talks from experts in the field. Experience days also offer the opportunity to connect with other participants and exchange ideas.

The community platform is available to all participants via the SPARC platform.

Yes, you can take the Cyber Course even if you have not completed SPARC. However, if you are interested in the Cyber Course, we strongly recommend completing SPARC before starting basic military training. SPARC will prepare you well for the Cyber Course and improve your chances.

At the start of basic military training, inform your direct superior that you are interested in taking part in the Cyber Course and would like to participate in the selection process. If you have not received any information about the selection process after the first week, you can contact us directly by email at cyber.lvbfu@vtg.admin.ch.

Yes. We recommend registering for SPARC, even if you are unable to complete all the courses. You will still gain valuable skills and knowledge to support you during the Cyber Course.

To log back in to Threema, you need your Threema Safe password.

• You set this password when you first activated Threema.
• If you have forgotten your Threema Safe password, please email us at info@sparc-cyberdefence.ch. A new Threema account will then be created for you. If you do know your Threema Safe password, follow these steps:
  • Log in to the SPARC platform.
  • Go to My Account and find the Threema sign-up link.
  • The displayed string contains your current Threema login details.
  • Log in to Threema with these login details and select 'Restore from Backup'.
  • Enter your Threema Safe password to restore your account.

No. If you no longer know your Threema Safe password, your Threema account cannot be restored. If you lose your smartphone, switch to a new device or log out of Threema, access to the account is lost. In this case, please contact info@sparc-cyberdefence.ch and a new Threema account will be created for you.

This can have several causes. Try the following steps:

• Multiple V-Login profiles If scanning the QR code takes you to another V-Login page where you can select a profile, try all available profiles.
• It is best to do this in an incognito/private browser window.
• Once you know which profile works, remember it, delete your browser data and cookies, and try logging in again in a normal browser window using that profile.
• If you only have one profile and an error message appears immediately after scanning the QR code, delete your browser data and cookies and try again.
• If none of this works, contact support via Threema or email info@sparc-cyberdefence.ch

In this case, please contact V-Login support and describe the issue. The support team can delete the old account for you. Phone: +41 58 465 22 22 / Email: info@sparc-cyberdefence.ch.

To use V-Login on a new smartphone, you need a new registration letter, which you can order here: https://idp.viam.admin.ch/selfadmin/newletter?login&language=de
Please follow these steps carefully:

• Open V-Login on your old smartphone.
• Tap the settings icon (top right) and go to Accounts.
• Delete the account on your old smartphone.
• Register V-Login on your new smartphone using the new registration letter.
• If you no longer have access to your old smartphone, contact V-Login support. The support team can delete the old account for you. Phone: +41 58 465 22 22 / Email: info@sparc-cyberdefence.ch

In this case, you need a new registration letter. You can order one at: https://idp.viam.admin.ch/selfadmin/newletter?login&language=en

You can now log in to the SPARC platform. Click Login on the SPARC website and sign in using your V-Login. We recommend starting with the two introductory courses 1010 and 2010. These courses explain everything you need to know to get started with SPARC.

SPARC uses Threema for communication.

• You receive information about events, new courses, system outages and maintenance windows via Threema.
• SPARC support is available via Threema to help answer your questions.
• Threema is used to identify participants at events, and for check ins and check outs.
• You can use Threema to stay in touch with other SPARC participants.

You should set your hacker name as soon as you have access to the SPARC platform. Why?

• SPARC does not store personal information about you, so identification is based on your hacker name.
• The SPARC team and other participants need a way to address you.
• Using a pseudonym and handling personal data carefully are key principles in cybersecurity.