Cybersecurity crisis scenarios explored in Marketing workshop

Students from the Department of Marketing undergraduate programme within the University of Malta recently took part in a targeted workshop exploring the intersection of cybersecurity, crisis management, and marketing strategy.

The workshop challenged students with a realistic scenario involving a cybersecurity attack on critical infrastructure, this year centred on an airport. Acting in the role of marketing managers, students were required to assess the situation and develop appropriate communication, reputational, and stakeholder-response strategies, reflecting the realities of decision-making during high-pressure crises.

Gavril Flores, Senior Visiting Lecturer who led the workshop, noted that the exercise was designed to expose students to the broader implications of cyber incidents beyond their technical dimensions.

“Cybersecurity incidents are no longer solely technical events; they are reputational and trust-critical moments for organisations. This workshop encourages students to think strategically about communication, accountability, and public confidence when systems fail under real-world conditions.”

The session also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, requiring students to consider how marketing functions interact with technical, legal, and executive teams during crises.

Commenting on the initiative, Franco Curmi, Head of the Marketing Department, emphasised the value of embedding such applied learning experiences within the curriculum.

“Marketing graduates increasingly operate in complex digital environments where technological risk and public perception are deeply interconnected. Exercises such as this help bridge theory and practice, ensuring that students are better prepared for the strategic challenges they will face in their professional careers.”

The workshop complemented existing teaching on artificial intelligence, ethics, and regulation, reinforcing the programme’s focus on applied learning and contemporary digital challenges.