Why are awareness and sensibilisation with regard to information security and cybersecurity so important for all of us?

I took part at a webinar on “Fraud traps & fakes on the internet” organised by the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labour and was pleasantly surprised at how many people, even at an advanced age, also took part. I was so positively surprised that I would like to share a few thoughts on this. In today’s digital world, information security and cybersecurity are of crucial importance. But why should we be concerned with it at every stage of our lives? How can we protect ourselves from the many dangers we are exposed to every day on the internet or on other channels such as social engineering, fraud traps, etc.? In this article, I want to highlight the reasons for the importance of awareness in relation to information security and cybersecurity, as well as provide a few tips on how to protect yourself effectively.

Why is awareness important?

In the course of increasing global networking and advancing digitalisation in our society, we are confronted with a multitude of threats. When we talk about awareness, we are referring to the awareness of cyber security threats. From malware infections and data leaks to identity theft, the risks and threats are very diverse and can affect any of us. Awareness should help us to recognise these risks and react accordingly. We can protect personal data and our privacy by informing ourselves about the latest threats and being aware of our digital activities.

Why is awareness important at any age?

Information security affects people of all ages. Even children and young people are at risk just as adults, as they also use the internet on a daily basis. If we raise awareness of safe online behaviour at a young age, we lay the foundation for responsible use of digital media. Awareness is also very important at an older age, as this age group is very often the target of fraudsters due to their inexperience in dealing with new technologies and, in the worst case, may even suffer financial losses.

Where can I get the information?

Information on cybersecurity is now available on numerous websites. Here are a few places to check:

• Protection from fake shops
• Watchlist Internet
• Contact points on the topic of cyber security
• Cyber security hotline of the Austrian Economic Chambers
• Cybersecurity
• Cybercrime hotline

Advantages of sensibilisation

The advantage of already being sensible is that you can better protect your personal data and privacy and, above all, protect yourself from financial damage caused by cyber attacks.

How can I escape social engineering and fraud traps?

We all know that social engineering and fraud traps are sophisticated methods used by criminals to obtain sensitive data. It is therefore important to be suspicious and not respond to every enquiry or request. Especially not when you are in a stressful situation. You should be very sceptical and cautious about unknown senders of emails or messages (e.g. text messages, WhatsApp etc.). Never disclose personal information unless you are absolutely sure that it is from a trustworthy source.

Approaches for solutions

There are various solutions to protect yourself from cyber attacks and fraud traps. These include

• Use of anti-virus software and firewalls
• Regular updates of operating systems and applications the use of secure passwords and the training of employees in the company.

It is important to raise awareness of common fraud methods and to take appropriate countermeasures.

Conclusion

Awareness of information security and cybersecurity is essential in order to move safely in the digital world. In order to protect personal data and minimise the risks of cyber attacks, it is important to stay informed and, above all, to act responsibly. And always remember: awareness not only applies to everyday working life, but also plays a very important role in private life. You should share this knowledge with both the younger and older people around you.