Here are the 25 finalists: https://www.samsung.com/ro/explore/brand/echipele-finaliste-solve-for-tomorrow-2025-2026-au-fost-selectate/
Our team members:
– Stefan Ferseta (team leader)
– George Lupu
– Dan Serban
– Cezar Alexandru Badita
Coordinators: Constantin Ferseta and Matei Ferseta
Our objective: Building Romania’s community of high school students passionate about cybersecurity, based on gamification, challenges, and identity transformation, largely automated with AI, and supported by Romania’s #1 cybersecurity club: Vianu Cybersecurity Club.
The Problem
Romania has a very low level of basic digital skills.
Although many people use the internet daily, they do not know how to use it safely (fraud, phishing, scams, fake apps, malicious links, etc.).
Formal education does not adequately prepare students for real digital risks.
Children and teenagers trust what they see online too easily—promises, applications, influencers, links.
There are no clear pathways or strong communities for young people interested in cybersecurity.
Relevant Real Statistics
- In 2023, across the EU, approximately 55% of people aged 16–74 had at least basic digital skills.
Source: Eurostat - In Romania, only ~28% of people aged 16–74 had basic digital skills.
Source: Eurostat - Romania’s basic digital skills coverage is ~27.7%, compared to the EU average of ~55.6%.
Source: Digital Skills & Jobs Platform - Romanians use the internet regularly (~90% as of December 2024), but usage does not equal digital competence or cybersecurity awareness.
Source: Trading Economics / Eurostat
The Solution: An Automated Cybersecurity Community
A largely automated cybersecurity community, inspired by a mission-based system.
Think periodic missions, multiple difficulty levels, and strong gamification.
Synchronous live sessions are secondary—used mainly for motivation, inspiration, and community bonding.
How It Works
- Children receive very easy challenges at first
(solvable in seconds). - Immediate feedback: “Well done! Congratulations! You are now in the top 37%.”
- They answer again → progress increases → difficulty slowly ramps up.
- Over time, challenges become more complex and more technical.
Communication Channels
- Discord
- Mobile push notifications (iOS & Android app)
Gamification Mechanics
- Points & levels are earned by solving challenges
(from simple → complex → brutally hard). - Team bonus:
- If you work with a partner, both receive 2× points
- You can choose an existing platform member or invite a friend.
- Top performers are periodically invited to exclusive sessions with industry VIPs (cybersecurity, tech leaders) for inspiration and mentoring.
AI-Powered Core
AI is used for:
- Automatic challenge creation
- Designing “wow” scenarios
- Personalized feedback for each solution
(via OpenAI API) - Personalized nudges (“pulling you back in”)
to increase engagement and reduce dropout
The True Objective: Identity Transformation
This is not just learning.
It is identity change.
- They are not gamers, not TikTokers, not passive consumers
- They belong to a small, elite community
- A community that fights digital threats on multiple fronts
- Us vs. Them — defenders vs. attackers
They begin to see themselves as:
- Cyber defenders
- Problem solvers
- Protectors
Students from top high schools (e.g. Vianu and other elite national colleges), together with cybersecurity and tech companies, support their growth and evolution.
A “Greater Than Life” Mission
We operate on two levels:
1. “What’s in it for me?”
- Fun
- Social connection
- Visible progress
- Recognition
- Feeling special
- Being part of something exclusive
2. The “Messianic” Level
Through my actions, I protect my family, my friends, my community, Romania.
- Extra-point missions for mitigating real-world attack scenarios that could affect loved ones.
- Local patriotism: “We, the kids from Starchiojd / Tulcea, members of this Club, protected our community from real digital threats.”
We’ll keep you posted:)