October is European Cyber Security Month, the EU's campaign to promote cyber security.

Throughout October 2015, you can join one of the dozens of events, webinars, and other actions that are part of October-European Cyber Security Month (ECSM), which kicked-off on September 30th in Brussels.

More than 100 events and activities in 27 countries will help us all protect ourselves from cyber threats through information security advice, competitions, education opportunities and sharing of good practices.

The campaign's theme is "Cyber security is a shared responsibility – Stop. Think. Connect." inviting everyone to find out more about online security and to help others protect themselves from cyber threats. The Digital Single Market Strategy will work towards stepping up the supply of more secure solutions by EU industry and to stimulate their take-up by everyone in Europe: this will be achieved mainly by the establishment of a public-private partnership on cyber security in technologies and online networks, along with a review of the ePrivacy Directive (both planned for 2016).

European Cyber Security Month is being celebrated for the third consecutive year and has been organised by the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), the European Commission and over 100 partners (local authorities, governments, universities, think tanks, NGOs, professional associations) from all over Europe, receiving support both at national as well as pan-European level: 

Vice-President Ansip, in charge of the Digital Single Market, said: "Security against cyber-attacks has become central to consumer confidence and the online economy. But we cannot get the best out of the opportunities offered by digital tools and online networks if we do not trust them. Raising awareness of the risks and threats, and the fact that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, is vital so that when they are online, people can make better informed choices and guard against risks" (read the full blog post https://ec.europa.eu/commission/2014-2019/ansip/blog/guarding-against-on...). 

Commissioner Oettinger, in charge of the Digital Economy and Society, said: "To make the digital world a secure place for everyone, we all have to contribute: policy makers, research, industry, citizens. But for Europeans to fully enjoy the benefits of a safe Internet, they also need to be aware of the risks they face online and to know how they can to play an active role for their own security in their daily lives. The European Cybersecurity Month is a great opportunity to spread good practices and increase the overall level of awareness and thus of cybersecurity in the EU".

ENISA’s Executive Director, Prof. Udo Helmbrecht, said: “As our societies are continuously being digitised and we are moving in the era of IoT and smart cities, e-skills and online security are essential resources that need to be developed and continuously enhanced. The Agency is developing an entire Network and Information Security (NIS) community around the Cyber Security Month initiative."

Read the full European Cyber Security Month Announcement here https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/european-cyber-security-mont...