October is European Cybersecurity Month!

This October marks once again the European Union's European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM), with the aim of promoting online security among EU citizens. The annual cybersecurity awareness campaign is coordinated by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and the European Commission, and supported by the Member States and hundreds of partners from Europe and beyond.

Date 2021-10-19 Author BIK Team Section awareness, news Topic cyberbullying, data privacy, e-crime, media literacy/education Audience children and young people, media specialist, organisations and industry, parents and carers, research, policy and decision makers, teachers, educators and professionals
Official graphic design of the ECSM 2021

The European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM) is the European Union’s annual campaign dedicated to promoting cybersecurity among EU citizens and organisations, and to providing up-to-date online security information through awareness raising and sharing of good practices. Each year, hundreds of activities including conferences, workshops, webinars, trainings and more are organised all across Europe to promote digital security.

 

 

The two themes of this year’s “Think Before U Click” campaign are First aid, with guidelines on what to do if one falls victim of a cyber-attack to encourage citizens to increase their awareness of the most common cyber threats, and Be cyber-secure at home which provides tips on how one can remain cyber secure when making online transactions or working/studying from home. As our lives have increasingly shifted into the digital dimension due to the pandemic, online security is being tested worldwide, thus educating the online user has become of the utmost importance.

The main objectives of the 2021 campaign are to ensure that both users and organisations are well informed and aware about the potential cybersecurity risks and threats, and to help EU citizens to develop a basic understanding of the different types of online security and privacy issues.

 

 

How to get involved?

Visit the official website of the ECSM campaign at cybersecuritymonth.eu for more information about the initiative. 

You will find useful resources such as the Cyber First Aid map, containing practical information and points of contact in case of cyber incidents, and the Get Cyber Skilled campaign, launched to support parents, carers, teachers, educators and community leaders with developing cybersecurity education and skills in young people. Additionally, you can take part in one of the numerous events and activities organised all across Europe.

The website also features the Cybersecurity Higher Education Database (CyberHEAD), the largest validated cybersecurity higher education database in the EU and EFTA countries and the main point of reference for all citizens looking to upskill their knowledge in the cybersecurity field.

Follow @CyberSecMonth’s Twitter activities with the hashtags #CyberSecMonth and #ThinkB4UClick, and on Facebook as @CyberSecMonthEU.

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