Cyberspies: A Revolution in Espionage?



Overview

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the evolving landscape of cyber espionage and covert digital operations.

Beginning with the transformative role of hacking in modern intelligence, students will explore how cyber tradecraft both challenges and complements traditional espionage practices. The course examines extremist use of social engineering, where online honey traps exploit human vulnerabilities to deliver malware and extract sensitive information. It then investigates the complexities of attribution, studying analytical frameworks, the politics of public attribution, and the use of false flags to obscure responsibility.

Students will also assess the proliferation of cyber capabilities through commercial markets, uncovering how private vendors sell advanced surveillance tools to states worldwide and the attempts made to regulate this trade.

Finally, the course analyses the strategies available to states for countering cyber threats, from legal prosecutions to offensive cyber operations, weighing their effectiveness against the risks of escalation.

Whilst this course examines a technical subject matter, it is not a technical course, and is suitable for anyone with an interest in technology and international security or geopolitics.

This course is part of The Oxford Experience summer school, held at Christ Church.

Programme details

Daily schedule

Seminars meet each weekday morning after breakfast.

After lunch, afternoons are free for individual study or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city. Optional plenary excursions and social activities including walking tours will also be available.

The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall. 

On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week.

Seminars

Monday seminars

Cyber Espionage: Revolution or Evolution?

This lecture examines the substantial impact hacking techniques are having on espionage. We start by exploring the new capabilities delivered by the digital revolution, before considering how traditional intelligence practices and cyber tradecraft interact. Then, we analyse the different use cases of cyber espionage, from gaining insight into foreign rivals to stealing an enemies' war plans. At the conclusion of this lecture students will have a strong foundational understanding of how cyber-espionage operates, and how it integrates into the wider portfolio of nation-state intelligence capabilities.

Tuesday seminars

Seduction and Secrets: Extremist Honey Traps and Hacking

This lecture explores how extremists use social engineering to trick targets into downloading malware. We will study how extremists, who typically operate with lesser skills than organised crime groups and nation-state threat actors, embrace the manipulation of human emotions to breach the devices of their targets. We will examine how extremists create online honey traps, by posing as attractive young men or women, and approaching their targets via social media with the suggestion of a romantic relationship. You will discover how this leads to eventual intelligence extraction from the target, and the countermeasures that are being taken by victims.

Wednesday seminars

Attributing Cyber Covert Actions: Unmasking the Hackers

This lecture explores the challenges of assigning cyber operations to their originators. We will examine what attribution is, why it is necessary, and how it is conducted. We will study attribution analysis frameworks, and how the process of public attribution occurs. Finally, we will explore how threat entities create false flags to misdirect investigators, and even to frame third parties. At the end of this lecture, you will understand the politics and practicalities of attribution.

Thursday seminars

Cyber Proliferation: Hacking for Sale

This lecture surveys how cyber espionage capabilities have spread to numerous countries through commercial transaction. We first explore the conditions that created the market demand for private hacking products and services. We then analyse a contract from a commercial surveillance vendor to understand how hacking transactions are structured. Finally, we explore the instruments that are being deployed in an attempt to limit proliferation.

Friday seminars

Countering Cyber Threats

This lecture analyses how states counter cyber threats, from criminal prosecutions to hacking the hackers. We start with reviewing the necessity of countering digital threats, before examining the core considerations in doing so. We then step through the portfolio of countermeasures whilst analysing each the escalatory risks of each option. By the end of this lecture, you will have a thorough awareness of the measures that nation-states can deploy to attempt to counter cyber threats.

Certification

Certificate of Attendance

At the end of the course you will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Digital badge

You will also be issued with an official digital badge of attendance. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download this. You will be able to share this on social media and add to your email signature if you wish to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person) £2380.00
Fee option 2 (single standard accom and meals per person) £2270.00
Fee option 3 (double en suite accom and meals per person) £2260.00
Fee option 4 (twin en suite accom and meals per person) £2260.00
Fee option 5 (twin set standard accom and meals per person) £2260.00
Fee option 6 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person) £1660.00

Funding

Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for the Oxford Experience programme.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to the 1 May 2026. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Supplementary costs

  • Any excursions listed in the 'programme details' above are included in the course fees and do not require a separate payment.
  • If your course includes a day-long excursion, you may need to make your own lunch arrangements.
  • Any optional, plenary excursions/social activities not detailed in the 'programme details' above may incur an additional cost. A social programme outlining these options will be sent to you in advance of the course start date.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
  • If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.

Cancellations and refunds

Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.

The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check the terms and conditions carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Tutor

Dr Craig Jarvis - Tutor

Craig is an independent academic specialising in national security and technology. He lectures at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Royal Holloway.

His next book, ‘Cyber Terrorism: Extremism & Hacking’ will be published in 2026. Previous works include 'CryptoWars: The Fight for Privacy in the Digital Age' and contributions to 'Next Generation Enterprise Security'. His research also appears in peer-reviewed journals, including 'Intelligence and National Security'.

Craig holds a PhD in cybersecurity and history and has earned master’s degrees in international security, information security, and classical music, studying at Oxford, King’s College London, and Royal Holloway.

With extensive industry experience, his last permanent role was Chief Technology Officer at DXC Security, then the world’s largest security services provider. At DXC, he founded DXC Security Labs, spearheading advancements in cybersecurity research and development. 

Craig remains deeply engaged with the private sector, particularly in finance, where he advises major banks and private equity firms on security strategy, architecture, and cyber due diligence.

As a member of the Offensive Cyber Working Group's College of Experts, he contributes to research and policy development in offensive cybersecurity. He is also the founding chair of the Geopolitics-Cyber Community of London Experts (GeoCyclone), an organisation bringing together business leaders, academics, and policy makers to share knowledge on national security and digital technologies.

He is currently studying Mandarin (HSK4). Craig is active on LinkedIn, often posting details of upcoming courses and ongoing research.

Teaching methods

Participants will be taught in seminar groups of up to 12 people. The teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/presentations
  • Seminars/group discussions

Application

Enrolment deadline: registration closes at midnight on 1 May 2026. 

Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.

Online enrolment (single person accommodation and non-residential)

Single accommodation and non-residential places should be booked online by clicking on the 'Book now' button at the top of this page.

Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.

Single bedroom options:

  • Single en suite (private bathroom facilities – shower, washbasin and toilet)

  • Single standard rooms (includes a washbasin and shaver point only, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms)

Enrolment form (multi-occupancy or accessible accommodation)

Double and twin bedrooms

Double and twin bedrooms are only available for two participants that apply to the programme together. They are charged per person and cannot be booked by individuals. If you wish to book a twin or double room for two people, each person should complete an enrolment form.

Shared bedroom options:

  • Double en suite (private bathroom facilities – shower, washbasin and toilet)
  • Twin en suite (private bathroom facilities – shower, washbasin and toilet)
  • ‘Twin set’ standard (comprising two separate single standard rooms, each with a washbasin and shaver point only, opening onto a private sitting room, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms)

Ground/lower floor accommodation

Christ Church rooms do not have lift access, and the higher rooms can be located up a few flights of stairs. If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please complete an enrolment form indicate your requirements, or contact the programme administrator directly at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk as soon as possible before 1 June 2026. 

Enrolment form

The enrolment form is an editable PDF and can be competed electronically, so you should not need to print and scan it. 

Completed forms should be sent:

  • by email to oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk, or

  • by post to The Oxford Experience, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

Level and demands

The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.

There are no assessments for this course.

Accommodation

During your course you can stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Christ Church, in buildings which range from the 18th to the 20th century. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.

The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall. 

Residential options are outlined below.

Please see the 'application' section above for guidance on how to book or request the right accommodation for you, including how to request a lower/ground floor room.

Accommodation options at Christ Church

Single, twin and double bedrooms are available. 

We welcome participants who want to attend multiple courses over the summer. Resident participants staying in Christ Church for consecutive weeks will have bed and breakfast accommodation arranged for the Saturday night between their courses at no extra cost.

Non-residential option

We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have lunch and dinner at Christ Church, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere. 

Accommodation before/after your course

We are unable to arrange accommodation at Christ Church prior to or following your course. Please contact Christ Church directly if you require additional nights of bed and breakfast accommodation, and they may be able to assist.

Additionally, family or friends who are not enrolled in the programme cannot be accommodated in college. 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support