Government launches national cyber awareness campaign over the next two years

Government has launched a national cyber awareness campaign as one of the initial priority areas of the National Cyber Security Strategy. The campaign aims to address the online security interests of the citizens, the public sector and also the private sector, giving particular attention to the SMEs which, as within the EU, consitute the majority of the Maltese economy.

The awareness campaign was launched at MITA Data Centre by Minister Emmanuel Mallia, in collaboration with the Steering Committee responsible for the implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy. The theme of the campaign is “Sigurtà Onlajn Ghalik” to reflect the personal effect that cyber security has on people’s day to day lives through the use of the various forms of ICT media applied. 

In the next two years, Government intends to make sure that there is a nation-wide understanding of what cyber security means and implies. In order to do so, the campaign will focus on the current realities of the various stakeholders of Maltese society and economy, so as to ensure that there is better protection and preparedness within cyber space. 

During the launch, reference was made to Malta’s current Presidency of the Council of the European Union, whereby, through its chairing of the Council’s working party on cyber issues, it is aiming to promote a strategic and consistent approach towards cyber awareness across all of the European Union, with particular focus on citizens and small to medium sized enterprises. Malta strongly believes that a single digital market across Europe cannot be attained without a stronger focus on security and trust among consumers and providers alike.

Minister Mallia praised Malta’s performance in Information Technologies. Nonetheless, he explained that Malta must be on the alert and aware that there are still many citizens who are concerned about the security on social media, about hacking of their emails or else of getting malicious software installed on their techological devices. He explained that these concerns, together with possible negative experiences, can lead to a loss of trust in the use of online services. For this reason, Minister Mallia said that a number of measures need to be taken to ensure that Maltese citizens feel safe when using cyber space. 

The launch was also addressed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Anthony Gatt who is also Chairman of the National Cyber Security Strategy implementation. Mr Gatt explained that in the following months the campaign will find the best means to raise awareness, while focusing on particular audiences. The campaign will also ensure that people are motivated to learn and to be alert to the various signals of fake communications on a day to day basis.