Safer Internet Day: What Are Startups Doing To Ensure Safe Connectivity?

This year’s Safer Internet Day took place yesterday, February 11th, and the theme this year is ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online’. This annual event, championed by the UK Safer Internet Centre, intends to educate young internet users on online safety issues they face.

This year’s focus is on understanding and addressing online scams. Through discussions and shared experiences, participants will look at the growing impact of technologies like generative AI on scamming methods. Safer Internet Day encourages collaboration among thousands of organisations, including major tech companies like Tesco Mobile, Amazon, and Apple, to promote responsible digital usage among children and young adults worldwide.

Safer Internet Day has become a pivotal moment for online safety awareness globally. Originating from the EU SafeBorders project and embraced by the Insafe network in 2005, it now spans approximately 170 countries.

Itamar Eshet, Senior Product Manager at Gcore said, “Safer Internet Day is a crucial reminder that cyber threats are not just evolving but accelerating in sophistication and scale. Our latest Radar Report revealed that there’s been a 56% YoY increase in DDoS attacks — a significant surge, reinforcing the growing severity of cyber threats.

“No sector is immune, with gaming, financial services, telecoms, and retail facing increasingly targeted attacks. Online safety and resilience are paramount. In practice, businesses must rethink security strategies to keep pace with modern threats.

“Relying on traditional security measures will be increasingly dangerous as cybercriminals adopt sophisticated tools, such as botnets. One example of the limitations of traditional security measures is Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), which are unable to differentiate between legitimate bots (such as SEO crawlers) and malicious bots.

“WAAP (Web Application and API Protection) will be an essential upgrade for businesses looking to plan their security strategies. A WAAP solution consists of multiple defence layers to keep ahead of today’s multifaceted cyber threats, covering bot protection, DDoS mitigation, and API security.

“As we mark another Safer Internet Day, the message is clear: securing the digital world requires continuous evolution. Companies that remain static risk being left vulnerable. By embracing a proactive, holistic approach, businesses can safeguard networks, protect users, and build a safer internet for the future.”

 

The Importance Of Safer Internet Day

 

Experts share why this day is so important, and why cybersecurity is a necessity in this day and age…

 

Camellia Chan, CEO and Co-Founder, X-PHY

 

 

“Safer Internet Day is a reminder for businesses to review their cybersecurity posture and assess whether their defences can withstand today’s rapidly escalating threats. Cybercriminals are more sophisticated than ever, with new tools such as AI-powered malware generation and near-flawless phishing messages created by chatbots.

“Are employees trained to recognise social engineering tactics? Are security policies keeping pace with regulatory changes? Are AI-driven threat detection tools in place to spot attacks before they cause damage? IT security teams must examine all these factors to understand their risk profile and build a holistic cybersecurity posture.

“In the 20 years since the first Safer Internet Day, we’ve seen time and again that standing still technologically is fatal in a world where cybercriminals continually reinvent their strategies. Companies that continue to rely exclusively on software-based security urgently need to diversify their defenses with a multi-layer strategy that encompasses hardware as well as software. Companies can further strengthen their security by embracing proactive defenses driven by AI.”

 

Anthony Cusimano, Director of Technical Marketing, Object First

 

 

“Safer Internet Day is a reminder that the same cybersecurity principles that protect businesses should apply to our personal use—and vice versa. A single compromised password, an unprotected backup, or a phishing attack on a personal device can lead to a large-scale breach of an organisation. Cybercriminals don’t care whether you’re a home user or a business—they’re just after the weakest entry point.

“Zero Trust is no longer just a corporate security strategy – it’s a mindset everyone needs. Every login, every access request, and every piece of data shared should be verified. Multi-factor authentication, regular software updates, and least privilege access are security tools and policies that have become best practices for protecting personal accounts from being used as gateways to larger networks.

“Backup security is a key area where personal habits can create the same risks businesses face. People often think their data is safe just because it’s backed up on an external drive or in the cloud—but if that backup can be altered, encrypted, or deleted, it’s still vulnerable. Ransomware attackers increasingly target backup data, knowing that corrupting it will force victims to pay the ransom.

“Immutability protects backup data from unauthorised changes or deletions and ensures recoverability, making it essential for both businesses and individuals. While companies adopt immutable storage to improve security, meet regulatory standards, and build trust with stakeholders, individuals should apply the same approach to their personal data by choosing secure, tamper-proof backups. A safer internet starts with a Zero Trust approach at all levels—ensuring that security is based on verification and resilience rather than trust.”

 

 

What Startups Are Doing To Ensure Safer Internet

 

More experts have shared their safety measures within their startups, and these measures are great for more startups to take notes and perhaps even make use of…

 

Natalie May, CEO, RM11.com

 

 

“At RM11.com, we are committed to creating a safe digital environment for both our team and users. We implement robust security protocols, provide ongoing training on online safety, and foster a culture of transparency and trust.

“Ensuring a secure internet experience is not just about technology, but also about empowering our people to navigate it with confidence. Our focus on safety is at the core of everything we do, from the tools we provide to the way we interact with our users.”

 

Margot Nash, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, MindMetrix

 

 

“MindMetrix focuses on mental health diagnostic decision support, but ensuring a safer, more secure internet aligns with our mission in several ways:

1. Secure handling of patient data – Adherence to HIPAA and other regulations to protect sensitive health information. Role-based access limits data to authorised personnel only.

2. Educational initiatives: Partnering with clinics to offer resources on protecting patient data. Blogs and webinars educating mental health professionals on digital security best practices.

3. Advocacy for safer online communities: Advocating for tech industry standards that promote mental well-being. Ensuring accurate mental health information is available online to counteract harmful myths.”

 

Chris Erven, CEO and Co-Founder, KETS Quantum Security

 

 

“With cyber attacks getting increasingly sophisticated with every passing day, businesses can’t afford to ignore the impending threat of quantum computers. While the tech industry largely believes quantum computers are still two decades away, the reality is that the first operational quantum computer will likely emerge within the next five years. The only question is: which country will get there first.

“Once this happens, all our communications will be vulnerable. Anything that passes over the internet will be hackable. Financial details. State secrets. Everything online will be accessible. It will take just one functional quantum computer in the wrong hands to thrust the world into chaos.

“KETS is solving this problem with Quantum Key Distribution, which securely shares cryptographic keys using quantum mechanics, making it immune to interception or tampering – even by quantum computers. Quantum Random Number Generation produces random numbers, essential for creating the keys used in encrypting data and protecting it from future threats.

“Hardware-based quantum technologies are set to become the backbone of cybersecurity, as quantum-safe encryption supercharges the data security of organisations across the globe.”

 

Paige Hanson, Co-Founder and Cyber Safety Expert, SecureLabs

 

 

“To make the internet safer for a startup and employees we first have to realise that startups don’t always prioritise privacy and security. Not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know what they don’t know.

“At SecureLabs, we make it easier by giving companies insight into their risks, security needs and any compliance gaps. Then they can take action before any problems come up. When any business understands their risks, then that knowledge can trickle down to the employees. This empowers employees to protect company data and create a safer internet/digital environment for everyone.”