Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility: 2018 European Cyber Security Month kicks off

ECSM is the European Union’s annual awareness raising campaign dedicated to promoting cybersecurity among citizens and organizations, providing up-to-date security information through education and sharing of best practices.

The 2018 European Cyber Security Month focuses on four themes, each one corresponding to a week in October:

• Week 1 – 1 October to 7 October: “Practice basic cyber hygiene”;
• Week 2 – 8 October to 14 October: “Expand your digital skills and education”;
• Week 3 – 15 October to 21 October: “Recognize Cyber Scams”;
• Week 4 – 22 October to 28 October: “Emerging technologies and privacy”.

Over 400 activities such as conferences, workshops, training sessions, general presentations to users, webinars, online campaigns and much more will take place in Europe during the European Cyber Security Month to promote safety online. ENISA, the European Commission – DG CONNECT and Member States will today release a video clip with messages from leading experts from across Europe to raise awareness of the campaign.

European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said: “Our digital society and economy can only thrive if there is sufficient trust, and that requires strong cybersecurity capabilities; technological as well as human and legal. This is a matter of concern for the wide variety of actors which the ECSM campaign targets, ranging from security professionals to citizens”.

European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel said: “Cybersecurity is a challenge as well as an opportunity for Europe. The stronger we become in preventing and resisting cyber threats, the better for the competitiveness of our businesses and the security of our citizens. The European Cybersecurity Month really underlines that everybody has a responsibility to contribute to a secure Digital Single Market”.

ENISA’s Executive Director Udo Helmbrecht said: "Global ransomware damage costs are predicted to exceed $11.5 billion annually by 2019, the human attack surface is expected to reach 6 billion people by 2022, and yet the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs are expected to triple, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. The making of a perfect storm. ECSM is here to thwart these trends by raising awareness of cybersecurity threats and providing solutions to organisations and citizens."

The official website of the campaign is www.cybersecuritymonth.eu. Users can find there tips and advice in 23 EU languages, consult awareness raising material and access the ECSM repository of all Member States coordinators. They also have the opportunity to test their level of knowledge by taking the updated online cybersecurity quiz. Our website also features an interactive map, where people can learn what activities are organised in each city.

This week’s theme is “Practice basic cyber hygiene”. It seeks to assist the public in establishing and maintaining daily routines, checks and general behaviour required to stay safe online.

Background: The Cyber Security Month is organised by the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security ENISA, the European Commission and over 300 partners (local authorities, governments, universities, think tanks, NGOs, professional associations) from all over Europe.

"Cyber security is a shared responsibility – Stop. Think. Connect." Follow the campaign on Twitter @CyberSecMonth and use the hashtags #CyberSecMonth, #OctoberNIS, and #CyberAware.

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