How can you support internet safety for users?
A safer internet is a group effort
Now in its 13th year and celebrated in more than 130 countries, Safer Internet Day has reached the public consciousness. Yet, with cyberbullying and digital scams on the rise, there’s still plenty that can be done to protect the most vulnerable while they’re online. See how each member of the online community plays a significant role in internet safety.
Users: the first line of defense
Aunt Phyllis has been asking for photos of the new baby, so you oblige her, your extended social network, and potentially, identity thieves. The more you share online, the more you’re at risk for scams and identity theft. According to a recent survey, only 31 percent of responders said they take time to protect their reputations online. With so much on the line, Microsoft has assembled a few resources to help internet users safeguard their information.
- Guard what’s most important: your reputation, relationships, privacy, and money
- Take the Digital Civility Challenge and embrace a safer internet for all
- Think you’re prone to oversharing? Take our social media cliché quiz
Professionals: building a safer world
Business leaders have a duty to protect their customers’ information. Whether you operate a small to midsize business (SMB) or are manning the helm of an enterprise, security should be top of mind. According to Microsoft forecast, 20 percent of SMBs have been attacked, costing businesses USD500 billion annually. With the help of Microsoft and its extensive partner network, you can build a security practice that covers everything from empowering employees to strengthen their passwords to orchestrating access management and information protection. For more information and downloadable playbooks, visit our security practice resources page.
In addition to small and large businesses, nonprofit organizations have brought safer internet practices and digital skills to the burgeoning tech communities across the globe. Check out our partners committed to making a difference.
Governments: enacting laws to protect citizens
With fragmented data regulation and management practices across its borders, the European Union took a bold step towards unifying its laws with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Set to go in effect on May 25, 2018, GDPR is a prime example of a government working to prevent citizen data from falling into the wrong hands—and penalizing the companies that fail to protect it.
With the onset of the new regulation comes the need for compliance. Every organization that sells to EU citizens and/or handles and analyzes their customer data must meet GDPR standards. Thanks to Microsoft’s extensive partner network, companies can choose from a variety of qualified partners to help them navigate the new regulation’s intricacies. For example, Crayon, a leading provider of software asset management, established a series of assessments and workshops to bring awareness to GDPR and prepare companies for the increased expectations of protecting customer data.
Creating a strong, safe network
The internet will never be 100 percent safe, but the due diligence and continued persistence of users, companies, and governments can thwart many online threats.
How can you support internet safety for users?