Almere.Protected.

A secure digital future for all

Confidence in the digital world

The digital world is changing at lightning speed. The Internet is a place of opportunity, but it is also full of risk. Almere.Protected. helps our city's youth to be strong, aware and confident online, so they can find their virtual way with confidence.

Almere.Protected. aims to make online security a part of education in phases. Young people are not only better protected, but also naturally introduced to the world of technology. They learn playfully which opportunities, but also which dangers the digital world has.

Our motivation

We believe that every inhabitant of Almere, young and old, should be able to participate safely and consciously in the virtual world. Young people grow up in a world where online and offline are completely intertwined. They are increasingly confronted with temptations, risks and online behavior that impact their daily lives. That is why we are starting to make our growing generation digitally wiser and more resilient, so that they are better prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Almere.Protected. must become a trusted part of the city, something residents can build on.

Our partnership

Almere.Protected. is a public-private partnership in which educational institutions, local businesses, and the government collaborate to enhance residents’ digital security and resilience.
Within Almere.Protected., we work toward two interconnected goals: making residents digitally resilient and fostering the development and advancement of digital talent.
We see this as a unique opportunity to structurally connect existing initiatives and networks into a single programmatic approach, with a lasting impact on the region.

We connect organizations such as HackShield, the City of Almere, school districts, and commercial entities like Avit and Almere City FC to collectively make a real impact on our city.
Guided by the dual purpose of Almere.Protected., we not only strengthen existing initiatives but also create a single, cohesive movement in which digital security, talent development, and social engagement go hand in hand.

The City of Almere connects partners and ensures visibility.
School consortia (Almeerse Scholen Groep) open the doors to the classrooms and provide valuable feedback.
HackShield develops and provides educational materials, campaigns, and insights into the impact.
Almere City FC engages young people through sports and events.
Avit provides guest lectures and serves as the coordinating hub for the web.

Each partner contributes their unique strengths toward a single shared goal: a digitally secure Almere and tech talent that is ready for the future.

Our target market

Children (elementary school, ages 7–13)

We focus on primary school children, teaching them how to safely interact with the online world at an early age. With interactive guest lessons and learning activities with game elements, they are actively involved and stimulated to increase their digital resilience.

Parents/Guardians

We also focus on parents and caregivers. With awareness trainings and workshops, we increase awareness around digital safety and provide insight into their child's online environment. We offer practical tools to guide children in the digital world, introduce HackShield and explain which topics we discuss with their children during guest lessons. This way, parents learn to have the conversation about digital safety and know how to act when something goes wrong.

Our approach

We collaborate with partners in the city to teach young people digital skills in a fun and accessible way. A key part of this is Hackshield, an interactive program in which young people learn through play how to protect themselves and others in the digital world.
Through guest lectures, sports-based activities, real-life stories, and inspiring campaigns, we make digital awareness visible and tangible for young people, parents, schools, and the entire city. In this way, digital safety becomes not just an extra, but a natural part of growing up in Almere.
Through this approach, online safety is structurally woven into the learning process, creating a continuous learning pathway in which children continue to develop.

Junior Cyber Agents

Through Almere.Protected., we invite elementary school children to participate in Hackshield. Using gamification, they embark on an educational adventure and learn to recognize cyber risks, how to protect themselves, and how to help others.
Children become Almere Junior Cyber Agents. This title is personally awarded by the mayor or the police. It’s an experience children won’t soon forget, and one that boosts their self-confidence and engagement.
By recognizing and encouraging talent, children can continue to grow within the fields of technology and cybersecurity. In this way, we are building a generation that is ready for the jobs, developments, and challenges that lie ahead.

Read our latest news here

Mayor Hein van der Loo honored young HackShield Cyber Agents from Almere for their commitment to digital security. Through the HackShield game, the children learned how to better protect themselves and others against online threats.

The ceremony also marked the official launch of Almere.Protected., an initiative of Avit Group B.V. that works with educational institutions and local partners to build a digitally resilient city.

Press Release: Almere This Week

Avit , in collaboration with HackShield and as part of Almere.Protected., organized an educational Cyber Event in Vianen. Children ages 7 through 13 took part in interactive HackShield missions and learned through play how to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

In addition to the children’s enthusiastic participation, parents and colleagues also got a glimpse into what it’s like to teach guest lessons on digital safety.

Through this initiative, Almere.Protected. helps strengthen digital skills and resilience among the youngest generation.

Almere.Protected.

Discover Hackshield and join Almere.Protected.