As Digital Twin technology becomes a cornerstone of industrial and educational transformation, cybersecurity is no longer just a requirement—it’s an opportunity for innovation at the intersection of virtual simulation and digital defence. The Erasmus+ Digital Twin project has already explored how digital replicas enhance learning, design, and decision-making. Building on this foundation, a promising direction is the development of Cybersecurity Twins—virtual models dedicated specifically to monitoring and defending systems from cyber threats.
Unlike traditional Digital Twins that mirror physical systems, Cybersecurity Twins focus on the security landscape itself. Powered by AI and machine learning, these twins continuously analyse system data to detect anomalies, simulate potential attacks, and suggest proactive responses. They act not only as observers but as active digital sentinels that evolve in real time, adapting to new threat patterns and vulnerabilities.
This concept has profound implications for vocational education and training. VET students, especially those engaged in the Digital Twin Erasmus+ project, could benefit from hands-on interaction with simulated cyber-attack environments. Through educational Cybersecurity Twins, they can explore realistic security scenarios in a safe, virtual setting. This bridges technical domains such as automation and IT security, preparing learners for the complex challenges of Industry 5.0.
In the industrial realm, Cybersecurity Twins can be integrated into smart factories, autonomous systems, and even urban digital twins. By modelling possible entry points for attackers and predicting weaknesses in infrastructure, these AI-enhanced twins can help organizations move from reactive security to predictive, resilient defence strategies.
In this context, this innovation is closely aligned with the goals of the Digital Twin Erasmus+ project. One of the project’s core aims is to prepare learners and institutions for emerging digital realities, and Cybersecurity Twins are a compelling expression of that vision. They demonstrate how Digital Twin technology is not limited to process optimization or digital design—it can also help safeguard the very systems we rely on. As we train the next generation of professionals in using and managing Digital Twins, embedding cybersecurity intelligence directly into these tools will be critical. By combining real-time simulation with proactive digital defence, Cybersecurity Twins represent the next leap forward: a fusion of education, security, and innovation that truly embodies the spirit of Erasmus+.
