This October sees the arrival of European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM) – and given the events of this year, the campaign has never been more important. Of course, raising awareness of the importance of cybersecurity has always been a top priority, however, this year has seen cyberthreats surging as cybercriminals have sought to capitalize on the fear and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
The crisis has hastened digitalization of everyday life, providing more opportunities for scammers to target potential victims and putting both individuals and businesses in the crosshairs. As a result, it has never been more crucial to ensure that people are conscious of how to keep themselves safe online.
ECSM is an annual campaign run by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and the European Commission, which has run throughout October since 2012. It is dedicated to promoting cybersecurity among citizens and organizations throughout Europe, sharing up-to-date online security information, expert advice and best practices.
ECSM aims to promote the importance of information security, highlighting the simple steps that can be taken to protect personal, financial and professional data. The month is all about raising awareness, changing behaviors and providing accessible resources in order to educate people on how to stay safe online.
This year, the official motto of ECSM is “Think Before U Click,” highlighting the value of being informed about online hygiene practices when it comes to identifying and avoiding cyberthreats. The campaign is focusing on two themes throughout the month – the first of which, “Digital Skills,” aims to provide participants with information on e-privacy matters such as personal data protection, cyberbullying and cyberstalking. The second theme, “Cyber Scams”, will share insights into current and potential cyberthreats such as phishing, business email compromise and online shopping fraud.
Hundreds of activities will be taking place across Europe to promote digital security and online hygiene, including conferences, workshops, training sessions, webinars, presentations and more. On top of this, the ENISA and its partners will be publishing reports and providing expert advice on a variety of different cybersecurity topics.
Want to get involved? Head to the ECSM website to check out all the activities and events happening across Europe, and join in the campaign to promote cybersecurity awareness.