Countries aligned for the deployment of the European Cyber Security Month

The European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), the European Commission DG CONNECT and Partners are officially launching the European Cyber Security Month (ECSM) on the 1^st of October, 2014. ECSM is an EU advocacy campaign that promotes cyber security among citizens and advocates for change in the perception of cyber-threats by promoting data and information security, education, sharing of good practices and competitions.

Official launch

This year, the official launch of the ECSM is taking place alongside ENISA’s high-level event “10 years of securing Europe’s cyber security… and beyond!” at the premises of the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union in Brussels.

At the high-level event, ECSM will be addressing the issue of “Involving the citizen” with representatives  from Code week, the Grand Coalition for Jobs, European and US partners, followed by a discussion moderated by  Mr Francois Thill  from the Luxemburg (LU) ECSM coordination.

Commissioner Kroes’ statement for the ECSM: "The Internet and its many services bring many benefits to our society: not least significant growth of our economy and millions of jobs. But we need to build and restore trust if we really want to achieve those benefits. When it comes to cyber security, it is in our common interest to be much more responsive and resilient to cyber threats. ENISA can both play an operational and a strategic role to ensure that Europe is ready for the challenge, together with public and private parties.  Each one of us must play our part in the cyber-security challenge: every citizen, every business, every government. So I hope that the European Cyber Security Month raises more awareness – let's get people talking!"

ENISA’s Executive Director, Prof. Udo Helmbrecht, commented: “The internet of things, where every electronic device will be uniquely accessible and identifiable over the internet, is approaching quickly. This has a profound impact on all aspects of citizens’ everyday life, as e-services are all now totally dependent on an open, safe and secure cyberspace. These are the technologies that are being built today and that will deliver the services of the future.

 It is therefore essential for citizens to participate actively in improving information security, for ENISA to facilitate improvement processes and for Member States to ensure that security policy supports the internet based economy envisaged for Europe 2020. Year by year we have been consolidating this trust partnership for Cyber Security Month and I am honoured to see the high level of engagement from partners. On behalf of my team, thank you all! ”.

Action! Happening during October at the local level

For the month of October, the community has pinpointed the following weekly Network and Information Security topics on the agenda:

• 1st  week: Training employees, targeting  public and private organisations
• 2nd week: PC and mobile security protection and updates, targeting all digital users;
• 3rd  week: Coding,  targeting students
• 4th  week: Cyber security exercises, targeting technical expertise;
• 5th  week: ePrivacy, targeting all digital users
  
  

The full list of ECSM activities set to take place all over Europe can be found under the “Events” section of the dedicated website, which is regularly updated. This applies to both online or offline activities.

The ECSM will be followed by an evaluation meeting and the ECSM reporting.

For a complete list of collaborating partners for 2014 check: http://cybersecuritymonth.eu/partners

Online material available for digital users

During October ENISA will be publishing new material every week. Keep checking the ENISA website!

Today we will publish the first materials, including 7 Information Briefs with recommendations on cyber security topics in several EU languages. The recommendations include network and information security tips for educators and employees, the risks associated with the use of discontinued software or anti-malware, security in relation to popular cloud services (such as social media), online data protection rights, and understanding lessons learned to date through facilitating the pan European Cyber Exercises between the public and private sector.

Keep spreading the word!

All active stakeholders in the field of cyber security are invited to participate to this year’s ECSM campaign. Follow the dedicated Twitter account (@CyberSecMonth) and get involved with the #OctoberNIS activities of the European Cyber Security Month. To get in touch directly, write to stakeholderrelations [at] enisa.europa.eu  for  the attention of Daria Catalui

Cyber Security is a shared responsibility. STOP.THINK.CONNECT.

 *Neelie Kroes, Udo Helmbrecht, Vint Cerf : promoters of eEducation #CyberSecMonth  #ENISA #octoberNIS

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