October’s Cybersecurity Spotlight: Unveiling Social Engineering Threats with ECSM
The advent of emerging technologies has simplified the execution of phishing attacks. The European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM) is gearing its campaign to spotlight social engineering, recognized as a prime cyber threat. This campaign, orchestrated by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), is backed by the European Commission and the member states of the EU. Throughout October, various events echoing this focus will unfold across Europe, reinforcing the collaborative stance in tackling cyber threats.
While the European Union’s agency for Cybersecurity, ENISA, emphasises awareness and education, the Australian government adopts a multifaceted approach, led by different bureaucratic departments, emphasising intelligence gathering on cybercrime activity and advisory roles on cyber safety.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, said:
“The European Cybersecurity Month aims to raise our cybersecurity awareness and get us up to speed with cyber threats. It reminds us that we can easily step up our own cybersecurity by getting into some good digital habits. By being alert against scammers we can stay safe.”
ENISA’s efforts in the European Union are predominantly focused on elevating cyber awareness and fostering good digital habits among citizens. This agency concentrates on addressing the human factor, which is often considered the weakest link in cybersecurity, through campaigns like the European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM). The initiatives, such as ECSM awards, spotlight innovation and diversity in awareness approaches, aiming to fortify individuals against evolving threats like social engineering and phishing attacks.
ENISA has been instrumental in dissecting and analysing present and anticipated cyber threats, with a special emphasis on the trends enveloping social engineering. The relevance of ENISA's efforts is amplified by the increasing reliance on the collection of behavioural data, which can subsequently facilitate more accurate and damaging phishing attacks.
Juhan Lepassaar, ENISA Executive Director, accentuates the human component as one of the weakest links in cybersecurity, emphasising the importance of understanding the mechanics of social engineering to evade potential traps.
The ECSM Awards initiative, focusing on promoting innovative and successful promotional material, serves as a testament to ENISA’s dedication to fostering awareness. With best video from Slovenia, best infographic from Greece, and best teaching material from Czechia, ECSM is showcasing diversity and innovation in its awareness approach.
However, does this diversity reflect a universal appeal, and how do the messages compare to the ones disseminated by agencies in Australia? The effectiveness of these campaigns is contingent on their ability to infiltrate varied demographic segments and organisational structures, and the discernment of the effectiveness of these diverse approaches is crucial in steering future awareness campaigns.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market added:
“Scammers are getting more creative in their ways of attacking individuals and organisations. It is therefore essential to stay alert with new technology and to take our online safety very seriously. Cyber threats are evolving at a rapid pace and citizens’ behaviour can play a fundamental role in how we stay cyber secure - it is our shared responsibility.”
ENISA is undeniably pioneering strides in awareness and education concerning social engineering threats. The endeavour to equip individuals with the knowledge to identify and thwart potential scams is commendable. Yet, the comparison with Australia’s cyber awareness programs uncovers a plethora of unexplored avenues and unasked questions regarding the universality and resonance of the messages delivered.
The 2023 ECSM awards: who are the lucky winners this year?
The ECSM Awards is an initiative which aims to highlight successful and/or innovative promotional material produced by EU Member States (MS) over the years.
The awards fall under three categories: Best video, best infographic, & best educational material and the winning material is promoted alongside the ECSM campaign during October.
And the 2023 winners are:
- Best video from Slovenia: Safe at the office (173) Vodstvo | Varni v pisarni #ECSM - YouTube
- Best infographic from Greece: Identity Theft Online Infographic: Κλοπή Ταυτότητας στο Διαδίκτυο – Identity Theft Online | SaferInternet4kids
- Best teaching material from Czechia: Cyber Fairy tales CYBER FAIRY TALES – EDUCATIONAL WEBSITE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND TEACHERS (kyberpohadky.cz)
ENISA is undeniably pioneering strides in awareness and education concerning social engineering threats. The endeavour to equip individuals with the knowledge to identify and thwart potential scams is commendable. Yet, the comparison with Australia’s cyber awareness programs uncovers a plethora of unexplored avenues and unasked questions regarding the universality and resonance of the messages delivered.
It is imperative for both ENISA and Australian agencies to continuously evaluate the impact and reach of their campaigns, fostering an environment of learning and adaptation. Collaborative exploration and mutual learning can potentially bridge the divergence in approaches, establishing a harmonised, robust international front against the multifaceted world of cyber threats.
The integration of emerging technologies is enabling cybercriminals to exploit human vulnerabilities meticulously, underscoring the need for relentless innovation in cybersecurity awareness. ENISA’s efforts in fostering awareness and education are pivotal, but the constant comparison and learning from the distinctive paths of Australian agencies are equally crucial.
