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This month, for the first time ever, it's European Cyber Security Month. And it's my
pleasure to launch it today.
Every day, people everywhere rely on the Internet for ever more services. From shopping or socialising
— to banking, healthcare or education. People have to know that the systems underpinning
these transactions are safe and secure.
Building that confidence is the job of all of us. We need to share the responsibility,
and we need to work together.
The EU's Strategy for Cyber Security, due out in the coming months, will set out just
how important this is, with concrete proposals to improve digital security. These problems
need common solutions: because cyberattackers don't respect national borders. So it's our
common interest to secure networks and information systems, to fight ever-growing cybercrime
and to set out an EU external cyber-security policy.
But it's not just about large-scale cooperation. Cyber security is also about ensuring ordinary
computer users are "Web Wise": with simple tips like choosing a safe password, storing
information safely, and thinking before acting online.
We've been collaborating with the US to develop these tips. And now, this first European Cyber
Security Month is a great way to present these issues to the general public in fun, engaging
ways. An ambitious way to raise awareness, to get
stakeholders involved, and to let people and businesses know how they can stay safe and
secure in a variety of online settings.
Over the month, eight European countries will see many great events.
From conferences and workshops in Portugal, Romania and Spain; to media and social media
campaigns in Norway and Slovenia; to roundtables in the Czech Republic; to competitions and
quizzes in Luxembourg; to roadshows in the UK. To name just a few.
And for maximum impact, each country is building on their own existing activities and experience.
I'm delighted that the EU's Network and Information Security Agency, ENISA, is supporting these
events. Their guidance, expertise and promotional material will ensure we get the message out
there — and ensure it sticks.
So to all of you involved in any way in European Cyber Security Month: thank you. We need your
help, support, and continuing interest, now and in future. Change needs to start now,
eventually becoming part of wider international efforts.
Helping citizens make the most out of the online world is a serious business. Well done
to you all for your work doing so. And I wish you a very successful European Cyber Security
Month.