ENISA considers 'cyber security month'

The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) is touting the idea of a 'European Cyber Security Month' to raise awareness of risks and best practices across member states.

The organisation released a report today in which it said a strong commitment from EU countries would be necessary for the initiative to be a success.

Professor Udo Helmbrecht, executive director at ENISA, said that the ultimate goal is to reduce the number of cyber security incidents in the EU and increase consumer confidence in the internet, while ensuring it is safe.

"With threats at home and work through fixed and mobile computing devices, higher awareness levels can really reduce the number of cyber security breaches," said Helmbrecht.

"While this report recognises the challenges to delivering an EU-wide campaign, a successful European Security Month will reduce the number of incidents and increase consumer confidence," he added.

The UK already runs its Get Safe Online week in November each year, with the same goals as the ENISA proposal.

ENISA said it recognises that many EU members already run their own initiatives, but suggested that a pan-European campaign would create a unified message, and be more likely to include public and private security industry bodies.

ENISA also suggested that the month should be synchronised with the US National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which takes place every October, claiming that this should "jump-start" the process.