The European Cyber Security Month (ECSM) is an EU awareness campaign that promotes cyber security among citizens and organisations highlighting the importance of information security and advertising the simple steps that can be taken to protect their private data. Its main goals are to raise awareness, change behaviour and provide resources to the general public about how to protect themselves online. In the Commission the celebration of the ECSM is orchestrated by the Cyber Aware Programme, our internal programme for raising the awareness of all Commission staff in the field of cyber security and cyber hygiene, promoting good practices for staff to stay safe online

On 4 October, we kick off the European Cyber Security Month together with other European Institutions and Agencies during  a lunch debate session with representatives from the signatory bodies of the MoU between ENISA, CERT-EU - the Computer Emergency Response Team for the EU Institutions, bodies and agencies, Europol's European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and the European Defence Agency (EDA). The debate will focus on the importance of collaboration, training, education and awareness raising in the field of cyber security. Participants will get tips on how to remain secure online from some of the best cyber security professionals in Europe .

The event will be opened with a message from EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel and an introduction by Carl-Christian Buhr, her Deputy Head of Cabinet. The panel will be introduced and chaired by Despina Spanou, Director in DG CNECT with the following panelists: