Researchers at Aalto University are creating an educational package on cybersecurity, which will be shared with all EU countries. Finland has been awarded EUR 5 million for this project from the EU recovery instrument for a three-year period.
Cybersecurity awareness and the related civic skills play an increasingly important role as our societies become more digitalised. With that in mind, Aalto University and the Ministry of Transport and Communications are carrying out an extensive project to create an educational package to promote cybersecurity skills in the EU Member States. An agreement for a three-year project has been signed.
“Understanding the basics of information security is increasingly important, and digital literacy in general is a civic skill in today’s digital societies,” says Jarno Limnéll, Professor of Practice in Cyber Security at Aalto University, and leader of the project.
“Aalto University has a great deal of experience in various aspects of cybersecurity, including research, teaching, creating online teaching platforms and producing educational materials. We are in an excellent position to export our expertise across Europe while at the same time further strengthening Finland’s good reputation as a country dedicated to cybersecurity,” Limnéll continues.
“The degree to which citizens are willing and able to use digital services determines the pace of digital transformation. Being able to trust in digital products and services is essential. Having security as a built-in feature and raising awareness among users of its importance creates trust,” says Timo Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications.
“We are talking about civic skills that are important now and even more so in the future as digitalisation progresses. The fact that this project received funding from the EU recovery instrument reflects its importance. Teaching cybersecurity skills and providing related training and education is a worthwhile investment, and an opportunity to make use of novel learning methods,” says Rauli Paananen, National Cybersecurity Director.
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