Get Safe Online

Get Safe Online
Name	Get Safe Online
Type	Non-profit initiative
Founded	2005
Country	United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland
Headquarters	London
Focus	Cybersecurity awareness, online safety education

Get Safe Online is a UK-based public information initiative that provides free advice on online safety, cybercrime prevention, and digital security for individuals, small businesses, and families. It produces guidance on topics such as phishing, malware, identity theft, and secure online shopping, and coordinates with public and private sector partners to disseminate practical steps for safer internet use. The initiative operates through an advisory website, campaigns, and collaboration with law enforcement, industry, and consumer groups.

Overview

Get Safe Online publishes accessible guidance aimed at internet users across demographic groups, including consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and vulnerable populations. Its materials cover secure browsing, password management, antivirus protection, data backup, and privacy, often referencing standards and best practices from organizations such as the National Cyber Security Centre (United Kingdom), European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, Action Fraud, Metropolitan Police, and industry stakeholders including Microsoft, Google, and BT Group. The initiative seeks to translate technical guidance from bodies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Open Web Application Security Project into practical advice, while aligning with public awareness efforts seen in campaigns by Get Safe Online (not linked as per rules) partners.

History

The initiative was launched in 2005 with support from corporate sponsors and government-backed bodies seeking to address rising cyber threats in the early 21st century, paralleling trends addressed by institutions such as the Home Office (United Kingdom), European Commission, and national law enforcement agencies. Early development drew on expertise from technology companies including Symantec, McAfee, and Vodafone Group, and cooperated with consumer organizations like Which?. Over time, its remit expanded to include guidance on social networking, online banking, and mobile security, reflecting shifts highlighted in reports by OFCOM, the Office for Budget Responsibility-style studies of digital adoption, and research institutions such as RAND Corporation and Fraunhofer Society-affiliated centers.

Services and Resources

Get Safe Online provides a searchable knowledge base of articles, downloadable checklists, step-by-step tutorials, and tool recommendations intended for non-technical audiences. Resources are tailored to contexts like online banking, ecommerce, home networking, and mobile devices, with cross-references to technical frameworks from ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27, guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office, and incident-reporting mechanisms coordinated with Action Fraud and police forces such as City of London Police. Training modules and speaker resources support workshops organized with partners including Citizens Advice, Age UK, and trade bodies like the Federation of Small Businesses. Content development often cites research from academic institutions such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and University College London into user behavior and cybersecurity education.

Campaigns and Public Outreach

The initiative runs timed awareness campaigns around events such as the Christmas shopping season, back-to-school periods, and Safer Internet Day, collaborating with media outlets like BBC News, The Guardian, and ITV. Outreach has included social media engagement on platforms operated by Meta Platforms, Twitter, Inc., and YouTube (Google), as well as televised and radio segments with broadcasters including BBC Radio 4 and Sky News. Publicity partnerships have mobilized retail partners such as Argos (retailer) and banks including HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group to distribute leaflets and digital banners promoting secure practices. Campaign messages echo policy initiatives advanced in parliamentary inquiries by bodies like the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding historically combines corporate sponsorship, industry in-kind support, and contributions from public bodies; partners have included technology vendors, internet service providers, financial institutions, and charities. Notable collaborators and funders over time have encompassed Microsoft, Barclays, Google, BT Group, Visa Inc., and charitable organizations such as The Prince's Trust and Lloyds Bank Foundation. Strategic alliances with government-linked entities such as the National Crime Agency and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport have supported content accuracy and distribution. Collaborative frameworks mirror public–private partnerships seen in initiatives like the Cyber Essentials scheme and the UK Cyber Security Strategy.

Impact and Reception

Evaluation of impact has referenced metrics such as website traffic, downloads, media mentions, and partnership reach; independent commentators and consumer groups like Which? and policy analysts at think tanks including Chatham House and the Institute for Public Policy Research have discussed the role of awareness initiatives in reducing online harm. Academic studies from institutions such as Loughborough University and King's College London have examined user uptake of recommended behaviors, while critiques in the press and from civil society—reported in outlets like The Telegraph and Financial Times—have highlighted challenges in measuring behavior change and reaching underserved communities. The initiative is frequently cited in guidance issued by banks, retailers, and local authorities.

Legal and Policy Context

Get Safe Online operates within a regulatory landscape shaped by laws and frameworks such as the Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Computer Misuse Act 1990, and policy instruments like the UK Cyber Security Strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s advisories. Its advice interfaces with reporting and enforcement mechanisms managed by agencies including Action Fraud and the National Crime Agency, and aligns with consumer protection rules overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority and standards promoted by the British Standards Institution. Ongoing legislative developments in areas such as online harms and digital identity continue to influence the scope and emphasis of its guidance.

Category:Cybersecurity education