The industry speaks: Safer Internet Day 2025

One of the biggest dangers is scams, which are evolving and becoming increasingly difficult to detect, with AI adding new challenges to user protection. For young people, this issue goes beyond losing money; it’s about trust and safety in their digital lives. At the heart of this year’s discussion is how we better protect them and further encourage more authentic interactions online.

A well-implemented digital identity system is a crucial step forward, alongside education, strong policies and better tools. Digital identity solutions significantly enhance accountability and verification in online environments, making it harder for scammers to impersonate others or operate anonymously without recourse. By ensuring users are who they claim to be, these systems can also help address larger issues, such as reducing the spread of harmful or unverified content that disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups, including youth. It empowers individuals to take control of their online presence while ensuring that systems uphold privacy and security.

In 2025, Safer Internet Day is a reminder that we need to push for a safer, more inclusive internet where scams and exploitation are harder to pull off. Whether it be new solutions, policies or education, every move towards a safer digital environment is a step towards a better future for everyone, and we all have a role to play in that.

Heath Renfrow
Chief information security officer and co-founder at Fenix24

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Safer Internet Day serves as a powerful reminder that cyber security is not just a technical concern – it is a business imperative. In an era where digital connectivity underpins every aspect of operations, the internet has become both a vital asset and a prime attack vector for cyber threats. Organisations that fail to implement robust security measures risk data breaches, financial loss, operational disruption, and reputational damage.

Every login credential, software download, and email interaction presents a potential entry point for threat actors. Cyber security, therefore, extends far beyond firewalls and encryption; it demands a culture of awareness, vigilance, and proactive risk mitigation. A well-informed workforce is as critical as the technologies deployed to safeguard digital environments.

To foster a safer internet and fortify cyber resilience, organisations must:

• Enforce stringent access controls – Implement multifactor authentication and least-privilege access to minimise unauthorised entry points.
• Cultivate a cyber-aware workforce – Conduct ongoing cyber security training to help employees recognise and neutralise phishing scams, social engineering tactics, and emerging cyber threats.
• Proactively address vulnerabilities – Regularly update and patch systems to eliminate security gaps before they can be exploited.
• Develop and stress-test cyber recovery plans – Establish incident response protocols that ensure swift containment, mitigation, and restoration in the event of an attack.

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and organisations must adopt a security-first mindset to stay ahead. Safer Internet Day is not just an annual observance – it is a call to action for businesses to embed cyber security into their DNA, ensuring long-term resilience and trust in the digital ecosystem.

Devin Ertel
CISO at Menlo Security

Safer Internet Day highlights the critical importance of online safety. While the internet is essential, it also exposes users to numerous threats. Attackers can easily “touch” users online, often through phishing emails or malicious websites, making users a prime target. Therefore, a multi-layered security approach is essential. This includes comprehensive user education on cyber security best practices, cultivating a security-conscious environment where reporting suspicious activity is encouraged, and implementing a robust browser security solution.

Darren Guccione
CEO and co-founder at Keeper Security

As cyber threats become more frequent and sophisticated, proactive security measures are essential to staying ahead of attackers. Safer Internet Day is a crucial reminder for organisations to implement a layered security strategy that includes privileged access management (PAM), advanced threat detection and flexible, secure authentication methods.

According to recent research, 80 per cent of organisations are already using or planning to adopt passkeys – reflecting a growing shift towards passwordless authentication. Passkeys and other passwordless solutions enhance security by reducing reliance on traditional passwords, which remain prime targets for phishing and credential-based attacks. In fact, 67 per cent of IT leaders report that their companies struggle to combat phishing, highlighting the need for stronger authentication measures. As passkey adoption accelerates, organisations must deploy PAM solutions capable of securing all credentials – whether passwords, passkeys or secrets – within a zero-trust and zero-knowledge framework.

This Safer Internet Day, prioritise security and usability by integrating modern authentication solutions while maintaining strong password hygiene. A layered approach remains the key to protecting sensitive data and identities.

Thomas Richards
Principal consultant – network security and red team practice director at Black Duck

Scammers and malicious actors will continue to find creative and deceptive ways to achieve their goals. We’re already seeing AI’s impact [through] malicious actors utilising it to craft new software and convincing social engineering ruses. Governments can use their regulatory power for enabling the internet industry to find ways to combat and prevent these attacks.

There will always be the cat-and-mouse game with cyber criminals, but larger internet providers should be putting a strong effort into making sure their users are safe. Wide-reaching campaigns usually have a signature or style that can be identified and stopped before damage can be done. Practising good digital hygiene continues to be the best way to prevent your account from being compromised: keep your software up to date, use long and complex passwords, and enable MFA whenever you can.

Stephen Kowski
Field CTO at SlashNext Email+ Security

As we approach Safer Internet Day, it’s crucial to highlight how AI-powered attacks in 2025 have made phishing more sophisticated and personal, with attackers now crafting highly convincing messages across email, chat, and collaboration tools that can bypass traditional security measures. Social engineering attacks have evolved beyond simple email scams, including deepfake voice calls and video manipulation that can fool even careful users into sharing sensitive information or transferring funds.

To stay safe, people should be extra careful when receiving unexpected communications through any channel – whether it’s a Teams message, a voice call, or an email – and always verify requests through a separate, trusted channel, especially for financial transactions or sharing sensitive data. Modern security tools that can detect and block AI-generated content, alongside strong authentication methods like FIDO2, are becoming essential for protecting against these sophisticated cross-channel threats.

Eric Schwake
Director of cyber security strategy at Salt Security

Safer Internet Day is a vital reminder of cyber security’s critical role in our increasingly interconnected world. As organisations and individuals increasingly depend on digital services and applications, the attack surface grows, underscoring the necessity for robust security measures. This requires a holistic approach to cyber security that includes traditional security practices, a thorough understanding of the changing threat landscape, and the integration of advanced technologies to manage risk.

Establishing a strong cyber security framework involves a multifaceted strategy centred on API security. This starts with thorough API discovery, which provides full visibility into all APIs within an organisation’s complete environment. Such visibility is essential for comprehending the potential attack surface and spotting vulnerabilities. Following this, organisations must enforce strong API governance, ensuring uniform security configurations, effective authentication and authorisation strategies, and compliance with industry standards.

Lastly, adopting advanced AI-powered behavioural threat protection is crucial for detecting and hindering malicious activities aimed at APIs. This process includes scrutinising API traffic patterns to identify irregularities and reveal concealed threats that might elude traditional security measures. By merging these components – discovery, governance, and behavioural threat protection – organisations can meaningfully enhance their cyber security posture and foster a safer internet for all.

Bob Palmer
Director of product marketing at ColorTokens

Safer Internet Day is an important initiative that helps inform the public how to use online resources safely and responsibly. It also guides government and business leaders in shaping a more secure internet. This initiative is crucial as the threat from malicious actors continues to grow, putting internet users at risk.

These attacks have adverse effects on users’ personal lives, and they can also impact the integrity of organisations or businesses where the users reside. Organisations should strive to become cyber resilient so they can continue to operate even if an attacker breaches their network by any means, including by manipulating or deceiving a user. By utilising innovative security technology to mitigate these risks, organisations can operate with confidence that they are prepared for the inevitable.

Krishna Vishnubhotla
VP of mobile application security strategy at Zimperium

Passwords alone won’t protect your enterprise if attackers compromise or control your employee’s mobile device. Strong authentication and back-end security are critical, but client-side attacks – like malware, fake devices, rogue networks, and phishing attacks – can bypass even the strongest passwords and undermine server-side defences.

Attackers don’t need to crack credentials if they can steal them directly from a compromised device or manipulate sessions to gain unauthorised access. This Safer Internet Day, go beyond passwords – enforce mobile threat protection, zero-trust policies, and real-time device risk assessments to ensure that compromised mobile endpoints don’t become a backdoor into your enterprise. Because if they own the device, they own the data.

Steve Stavridis
Regional Vice President – APAC, T OpenText Cybersecurity

Safer Internet Day is a vital reminder for businesses to prioritise online safety for their customers and the wider community. Cybersecurity should be the foundation of any technology offering. For digital-first businesses, data privacy and protection must be at the core of every decision. With the recent passing of the 2024 Cybersecurity Act Bill, building resilience against cyber threats and preventing unauthorised access to sensitive company and client data is not optional – it’s essential.

A strong defence against scams and attacks starts with integration. OpenText’s cyber security solutions prevent threats outside and inside the perimeter, ensuring that data is protected and recoverable to minimise downtime. Powered by OpenText Threat Intelligence platform, we significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access on devices, at the user, and on the web.

As a rule of thumb: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Common sense and proactive planning remain the strongest tools in cyber security. Safer Internet Day is a reminder to act – educate yourself, your staff, and your customers on cybersecurity by implementing security awareness training.

This Safer Internet Day, take stock of your company’s security measures – because the best time to strengthen your defences is before an attack occurs.

Norbert Kiss
SVP Asia Pacific at Delinea

Cyber-criminals are getting smarter – phishing attacks, deepfake scams, and AI-powered cyber threats are making it easier to break into business systems and steal consumer data or personal information, so adopting a Zero Trust mindset is critical for online protection.

It's essential to use Safer Internet Day as a reminder that online safety is becoming more complex. Businesses and consumers should never assume trust and must always verify every login and online activity.

Whether it's enabling multi-factor authentication for online login details, being cautious of suspicious links, or limiting who has access to critical data, proactive security is key for remaining vigilant online.

Security solutions like password vaulting, just-in-time access controls, and AI-driven identity threat detection can help individuals and organisations prevent cybercriminals from exploiting stolen credentials or falling victim to sophisticated attacks.

Businesses and individuals can significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats by taking control of who has access to what and when. A safer internet starts with smarter online identity security.

Kate Musgrove
Managing Director, Asia Pacific at Bazaarvoice

With the internet flooded with content, authenticity is everything. Consumers crave genuine experiences, whether they’re scrolling through social, shopping online, or engaging with brands. In fact, our research shows that 88% of consumers say authenticity is key when deciding which brands to support.

But with the rise of fake reviews, scams, and misleading content, trust is at risk. Consumers are more cautious than ever, and brands that fail to ensure transparency can quickly lose credibility. Businesses must take an active role in protecting their customers by fostering genuine conversations, verifying user-generated content, and rejecting fraudulent activity.

On Safer Internet Day, we’re reminded that authenticity isn’t just a competitive advantage - it’s a responsibility. Brands that champion transparency help create a safer, more trustworthy online marketplace for everyone.

Adrian Covich
Vice President, Sales Engineering APJ, at Proofpoint

Safer Internet Day is becoming increasingly significant, particularly as Australian teens spend an average of two hours online daily. With rising concerns around scams, privacy, and digital well-being, the Australian government has implemented a world-first law prohibiting children under 16 from using social media platforms.

While outright bans on social media and GenAI tools may seem like straightforward solutions, they are far from comprehensive. Numerous online threats and risks persist, highlighting the continued need for awareness and education. Safer Internet Day embodies this mission, emphasising that creating a safer online environment is a shared responsibility among parents, schools, policymakers, and businesses alike.

As we commemorate Safer Internet Day in a rapidly advancing AI-driven landscape, it's essential to recognise and address the emerging risks posed by new technologies. While GenAI unlocks exciting opportunities, it also introduces threats like deepfakes, misinformation, and potential data privacy breaches. Understanding these risks, maintaining strong password practices, and enabling multi-factor authentication are fundamental steps in staying secure online.

At Proofpoint, we advocate for a human-centric approach to online safety. While organisations often provide specialised training on the risks of GenAI, the general public frequently lacks access to such resources. To help bridge this gap, we offer the following simple tips to empower individuals to navigate the digital world securely.

Think before you click: If something is too good to be true, it usually is. Attackers prey on our emotions and use things like urgency or desire to get the best deal in order to make us do things that we normally wouldn't.
Ensure your devices- computers, servers, apps, IoT devices, cable modems, smart watches – are running the latest software updates. This often happens automatically but some systems are not configured to do this.
Check the privacy settings and use two-factor authentication: Be sure you examine the privacy settings on mobile apps to protect your sensitive information while also utilising two-factor authentication whenever it’s available.

Safer Internet Day serves as a vital reminder that online safety isn’t just a one-day event – it’s a year-long responsibility. It offers a chance to shine a spotlight on the steps individuals and organisations can take to strengthen online security and foster a safer digital environment for everyone, every day.

Adhil Badat
Chief Operating Officer at Rackspace Technology

As our reliance on the internet grows, so does the need to understand the data that powers it. With individuals spending an average of 6.35 hours online daily, the sheer volume of data being shared, stored, and analysed calls for greater visibility into how it’s managed. The challenge isn’t just about staying connected, it’s about knowing how to engage with online systems safely and responsibly while preserving the opportunities they offer.

Data literacy provides this critical understanding. For individuals, it means having the knowledge to navigate online spaces securely, make informed decisions about how their data is shared, and recognise potential risks. For businesses, it’s the ability to meet regulatory requirements, foster transparency, and embed ethical practices into operations. The first step is implementing ongoing data literacy programs that address areas such as data ethics, model interpretation, and compliance standards, so organisations can ensure employees at every level are equipped to handle data responsibly.

Collaboration is also essential. Working with your respective data governance function to integrate AI ethics and responsible data practices into corporate training can empower teams to confidently interpret and manage data while adhering to legal and ethical obligations. This combination of education and accountability creates a culture where trust is prioritised, systems remain resilient, and innovation is balanced with responsibility. Data literacy isn’t just a tool, it’s a life skill we need to embrace early, before consequences catch up to us.