Cybersecurity & Privacy
Boston Campus—July 6- 18, 2025
Program Prerequisite: Students should have a working knowledge of coding basic computer programs.
Cybersecurity & Privacy: How to hack-proof your summer
From laptops to smart toys, nothing is off-limits in today’s hackable world. This immersive, two-week course empowers you to understand and defend against the threats of the cyber age. Through a combination of interactive lectures, hands-on challenges, team competitions, and expert guest talks, you’ll explore the essential principles of cybersecurity and privacy.
Dive deep into system and network security, online privacy, and foundations of trust in the modern technological landscape. You will engage in exciting Capture the Flag (CTF) style exercises that simulate real-world hacking scenarios, challenging you to solve security puzzles and defend systems from attacks. By the end of the program, you’ll be able to classify different types of cyberattacks, understand core security goals, and develop strategies to protect the digital systems we rely on daily.
An inside look at Cybersecurity & Privacy
Learning Outcomes
Computing System Fundamentals
You will develop a foundational understanding of computing systems, including proficiency in the Linux command line, file systems, and shell scripting. You’ll also gain insight into core operating system principles such as process management, memory, and file handling.
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Cybersecurity foundational principles of confidentiality, availability, and integrity.
Networking Fundamentals
Basic understanding of wired and wireless networks. We will also learn how the Internet works and how to keep ourselves secure and protected.
Real-world Security and Privacy
Understand and explore building secure communication and networking technologies through the study of popular systems such as GPS and Wi-Fi. We will also look at the “Internet of Things” ecosystem and understand its security and privacy implications.
Software and Tools
You will learn to use state-of-the-art network analysis software (e.g., Wireshark) and Linux tools and commands.
Lab-based Learning
You will learn through several hands-on exercises with a grand capture-the-flag team competition to wrap up the summer program.
Sample Schedule
For an in-depth look at your day to day activities during the two-week Cybersecurity and Privacy program, click the link below to download our full sample schedule.
This is for informational purposes only and is subject to change.
“Accelerate Pre-College Programs provide prospective students with a fun, educational, and rewarding preliminary college experience. In the Cybersecurity and Privacy program, I expanded my knowledge of encryption/decryption, network protocols, and historical viruses/worms while completing hands-on hacking and frequency interception exercises with experienced and helpful NU faculty.“
Oliver G.
Boston Student Life
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Program Tuition
The program tuition is $6,895. This includes: program tuition, course materials, housing, meals, and social activities. We strive to make our programs financially accessible. All admitted students will be considered for need-based aid, and our financial aid awards are typically in the form of scholarships or program discounts.
About Northeastern
Northeastern is a top ranking experiential research university that prides itself on academic rigor, a diverse and talented population of students and faculty, and a powerful learning model that combines the classroom experience with hands-on work experience.
Contact Us
Questions? Contact us at 617.373.2200 or precollegeprograms@northeastern.edu