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Interinstitutional Kick-off Event for the European Cybersecurity Month 2025

The European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM) is an annual awareness campaign promoting cybersecurity among citizens and organisations. The European Commission organises this year’s Kick-off event for the ECSM on 1 October. 

ECSM 2025
ECSM 2025
DIGIT



Since 2018, EU institutions, bodies and agencies gather to officially launch the European Cybersecurity Month, taking turns organising and hosting the event. The European Commission, through the CyberAware programme is organising the Interinstitutional Kick-off Event for the European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM) on 1 October 2025.

This year's campaign marks the 13th anniversary of the ECSM. The Kick-off Event puts the human factor in cybersecurity in the spotlight. Focus is on the challenges related to skilled resources in cybersecurity and how to support and secure a safe online experience for all. Situational awareness and cybersecurity readiness is a joint challenge for all Union entities. We explore how gaming can help us bring about behavioural change, to achieve a cybersecurity culture across the board.  

Join us on 1 October 2025 for insightful high-level discussions, enriching technical debates, and interactive exhibition stands. Let’s shift the mindset, grow the talent, and game our way to a more cybersecure Europe.

Follow the event online (no registration needed for online participation)

STAFF OF THE EU INSTITUTIONS, BODIES and AGENCIES can participate onsite upon registration (site only available to staff from Union entities) and presentation of employee badge in the MADOU building, Espl. Madou 1, 1210 Brussels.

Last year’s ECSM Kick-off event website: Welcome to the European Cybersecurity Month 2024!

  • cybersecurity | cybercrime | information technology
  • Wednesday 1 October 2025, 09:30 - 17:30 (CEST)
  • Live streaming available

Programme

  1. 1 Oct 2025, 09:30 - 17:25 (CEST)
    Agenda
  2. 09:30 - 09:40 (CEST)
    Welcome & Opening remarks

    by Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security
    and Democracy

  3. 09:40 - 10:40 (CEST)
    High level panel 1 on the implementation of the cybersecurity regulation, with senior officials from EU institutions

    This panel will focus on the strategic importance of establishing a common level of cybersecurity maturity across all Union entities. It will look into the achievements to date and challenges and opportunities for the years ahead.

  4. 10:45 - 11:35 (CEST)
    High level panel 2 on the challenges and opportunities vis-à-vis cybersecurity resources in the framework of the implementation of the regulation, with senior representatives from Union entities

    This panel will address cybersecurity resources gaps identified, and efforts needed to achieve the successful implementation of the regulation. The discussion will explore collaborative approaches and new ways of working among Union entities to share capabilities and knowledge and to foster innovative solutions in overcoming challenges.   

  5. 11:35 - 12:15 (CEST)
    Panel 3 on building an EU-shared situational awareness

    In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital threats, the European Union strengthens its approach to cyber crisis management. As part of the recent EU Blueprint on Cyber Crisis Management, this session delves into the critical need for bolstering shared awareness information across the European Union Institutions, Bodies and Agencies (EUIBAs), Member States, and diverse sectors.

  6. 12:15 - 13:30 (CEST)
    Cybersecurity information stands

    During the lunch break attendees will have the opportunity to engage with interactive exhibits and demonstrations showcasing the latest cybersecurity awareness raising tools and methodologies from Union entities and specialised organisations.

  7. 13:30 - 14:20 (CEST)
    Panel 4 on building cybersecurity capacity and addressing the skills gap

    This session will delve into educational strategies and workforce development initiatives aimed at cultivating a skilled, gender balanced cybersecurity workforce to meet increasing demands.

  8. 14:20 - 15:10 (CEST)
    Panel 5 on achieving behavioural change

    Experts will expand on the psychology behind cybersecurity behaviour and discuss mechanisms to promote a cybersecurity-first mindset among individuals and organisations.

  9. 15:30 - 16:20 (CEST)
    Panel 6 on using gaming to raise awareness and strengthen the human factor

    This panel will highlight how gamification techniques can be effectively employed to enhance user engagement and reinforce cybersecurity awareness and best practices across diverse audiences.

  10. 16:20 - 17:15 (CEST)
    Panel 7 on interinstitutional network of Women in IT

    This panel will officially launch the interinstitutional ‘Women in IT Network’. Despite the rapid growth of IT, women remain underrepresented in this sector at EU Institutions level. DIGIT is leading this initiative that empowers women in IT roles by fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and supporting career growth and mobility.

  11. 17:15 - 17:25 (CEST)
    Closing remarks

Speakers

Philipp Amann
Head of Digital Security (Cybersecurity) Division ECB
Radu Arcuș
Cybersecurity Expert, Capacity Building Unit European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)
Jo De Muynck
Head of the Operational Cooperation Unit of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, ENISA
Manon Le Blanc
Coordinator for Cyber Issues and Deputy Head of the Hybrid Threats and Cyber Division, EEAS
Lorenzo Mannelli
Director-General for Information Technologies and Cybersecurity, European Parliament
Ann Mennens
CyberAware Programme Manager, European Commission
Natalia Przylepa
Senior Head of Cloud Engineering and Operations Platforms Unit at European Investment Bank
Dolores Seoane
Director for Innovation and Information Technology, EESC-ECR

Practical information

When
Wednesday 1 October 2025, 09:30 - 17:30 (CEST)
Who should attend
Everyone interested in cybersecurity can follow the event online. On site participation limited to staff of EU institutions, bodies and agencies upon registration.
Languages
English
Organisers
DG DIGIT - European Commission

Contacts

General contact

European Commission CyberAware Team

Name
European Commission CyberAware Team
Email
EC-CYBERSECURITYatec [dot] europa [dot] eu
Postal address

Belgium

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