Once upon a time, it was December 2024. Winter had finally shown its true face, the streets were filled with the scent of mulled wine and Christmas cookies, and the adorned trams and shop windows of Prague shone so brightly that even Santa Claus might have paused to snap a selfie. Amidst this magical atmosphere, when “everyone” (quotation marks for a reason) was looking forward to Christmas, I still had one task ahead – the final Web Application Security course of the year at the CZ.NIC Academy. And as is often the case in December, this course had everything a proper holiday tale should: hard work, suspense, and, ultimately, joy that warmed the heart.
The morning of the course – 9:00 a.m. – felt a bit like Christmas Eve. Everything had to be ready: presentations, functional demos, “devilishly vulnerable” applications so we could explore and uncover weaknesses. And just like searching for the last ribbon for a gift, there’s always something that needs tweaking at the last minute. But then, it all begins.
We kicked off with unwrapping the first presents: introductions, basic concepts, and a human perspective on security. Every topic was carefully wrapped in theoretical explanation, complemented by practical examples and demonstrations – adding just the right “zing.”
As we delved deeper, we unwrapped more and more layers. It was like peeling away layers of wrapping paper until you’re left with a gift that delights and surprises – the understanding of how to identify a security vulnerability. There were plenty of them, although thankfully not all would fit under the Christmas tree. Command Injection, SQL Injection, authentication and session management, Cross-Site Scripting, Cross-Site Request Forgery, unvalidated redirects… Cybersecurity testing felt like lighting up a Christmas tree in a dark room – suddenly, everything came to life, sparkled, and made sense.
Of course, no course happens without preparation. And preparations can be demanding – much like baking a Christmas bread. The recipe is key: a reliable environment, verified tools, functional examples, step-by-step procedures, and up-to-date data. But there’s always something. At one point, I spilled coffee under the desk and into the keyboard (fortunately, I was the only one who noticed). In a few slides, I spotted grammatical errors (despite checking them a thousand times), and for a moment, I thought Santa might be right about buying ready-made Christmas bread instead… Yet, not everything has to go as planned; a touch of quick and subtle improvisation can sometimes turn out surprisingly well. 🙂
The course itself felt like a long journey through a snowy forest, constantly seeking the right trail. Eight hours of speaking, explaining, answering questions, and striving to maintain energy – all while on your feet. It’s not just physically taxing but mentally as well; you have to read the group, gauge individual personalities, and find ways to engage everyone.
Sometimes it’s a challenge, especially when you encounter “naughty kids” who don’t seem willing to cooperate at first glance. It reminds me of a scene from Jack Frost, where the frost spirit tests Ivan: “Are you cold?” Ivan’s frozen “I’m freezing, Grandpa, freezing” mirrors the moment you must find the right approach to make everything click. Fortunately, this time I got lucky… and had an excellent group of participants.
The last course of the year felt like a Christmas Coca-Cola commercial. From the very start, there was a fantastic atmosphere. Participants were enthusiastic, asked questions, and engaged in lively discussions. It was like the finale of Love Actually, where everything falls into place, leaving you with the feeling that the world is full of joy. The chemistry that emerged is something you can’t plan for – but when it happens, it’s magical.
At the end of the course, I was met with a moment that felt like an unexpected gift under the tree. When I concluded my final words, the room erupted in applause. Not only that, but several participants came up to thank me personally. They said I should present my courses at universities, praising the lectures for being not only engaging but also highly practical. It was like unwrapping a gift you didn’t even know you wanted but that delights and warms your heart. Some even stayed afterward to discuss various topics. Simply wonderful!
That evening, as I headed home, there wasn’t snow crunching underfoot (I can’t even remember the last crisp winter) and lights twinkled everywhere, I felt gratitude, excitement, and fulfillment. Reflecting on it all, I realized how much I love this work. Even though preparations aren’t always straightforward, behind every educational activity lies a story – often unnoticed by participants. This course – the last of the year – felt like a little Christmas tale with its challenges, surprises, and a happy ending.
Thank you to everyone who attended my courses this year, to the CZ.NIC Academy for their support and opportunities, and especially to the participants for their enthusiasm and energy.
Whether you’re celebrating with Santa, Father Christmas, or simply enjoying a peaceful evening by the tree with your family, I wish you a beautiful and safe Christmas. Well, I wished that… because even though I wrote this article over Christmas, I published it on the very last day of 2024. 🙂 Who knows – maybe next year will bring more stories filled with joy, discoveries, and shared chemistry, just like this course.
For the new year, 2025, I wish you not only good health and happiness but also success in both your personal and professional lives. May it be a year in which you overcome all challenges, achieve your goals, and embark on new adventures. Wishing everyone a Happy and (cyber) Safe New Year!
Sources
[1] The introductory image was generated using AI Chat GPT DALL-E on 29 December 2024.