By Trine Reinholt Andersen, AAU Technology Transfer Office

Campfire Security, a spin-out from Aalborg University, has set out on a mission to solve one of the biggest challenges within cyber security, namely, the lack of competencies and fundamental knowledge among IT professionals.

Currently, training IT professionals in cyber security faces several critical challenges. First, the rapidly evolving threat landscape means that new vulnerabilities and attack techniques emerge constantly, requiring continuous updates to curricula.

Secondly, many training approaches focus on theoretical knowledge rather than hands-on, practical experience, which is essential for effectively countering real-world threats.

Finally, the cost and accessibility of high-quality cyber security training can be prohibitive for individuals and organizations, exacerbating the talent shortage. Addressing these challenges requires a combination of innovative teaching methods, greater investment in accessible resources, and collaboration between academia and industry.

HANDS-ON TRAINING 365 DAYS A YEAR

Campfire Security offers a fully automated and scalable setup for cyber security training of IT professionals. The setup provides a platform for hands-on training in virtual laboratories based on a set of learning paths that enable the user to explore vulnerabilities and weaknesses in secure and closed environments. The platform supports both individual learning and group events based on gamification and competitions.

Campfire Security’s platform is available to the learners 24 hours a day, 365 days per year - including challenges in virtual labs. The solution stands out for being easy to access for users, as everything takes place in a simple and intuitive interface through a browser. At the same time, companies have the possibility to setup friendly CTF competitions between employees to increase IT security competences and awareness.

A PURPOSE-DRIVEN TEAM

Campfire Security was founded in 2023 based on years of research in the field of cyber security, to be able to teach and train others in how to protect themselves against the increasing cyber threat.

The spin-out was established by Kristian Larsen, CEO and former Research Assistant, Mikkel Christiansen, CTO and former Research Assistant, Kristian Meincke, Sales Manager, Amar Djebbara, Security and Operations, and Professor Jens Myrup Pedersen from the Department of Electronic Systems at Aalborg University.

With support from the Danish Industry Foundation through the project “Cyberskills” running from 2020-2027, Campfire Security was originally initiated as a platform called “Haaukins” for the Danish students to increase interest and build a community within cyber security. However, as the platform slowly began to gain industry interest, the team decided to explore the commercial opportunities.

In January 2024, the team received an InnoFounder from Innovation Fund Denmark and furthermore, became part of the project “Cyberskills Career”, a continuation of the project “Cyberskills”, once again supported by the Danish Industry Foundation.

THE COMMERCIALIZATION PROCESS

The AAU Technology Transfer Office has been part of the process with the Campfire Security team, from uncovering the commercial potential of the Haaukins software, securing IP rights for licensing, preparing the business model, strengthening the team formation, and supporting the spin-out’s participation in the “Cyberskills Career” project.

The technology was licensed to Campfire Security at the end of 2023 who launched the platform in 2024.