The city of Brașov recently hosted the fifth session of Romania’s National Program “CYBER SECURITY. Introduction for Seniors” , a pioneering initiative dedicated to equipping older adults with essential digital safety skills. Spearheaded by the Romanian Institute for Active Aging and supported by a growing network of public and private sector partners, the program has been embraced by communities across the country as a critical step toward inclusive digital education.
The recent session in Brașov brought together over 100 participants at the “Astra” Multicultural Center of the County Library, eager to deepen their understanding of safe online practices. The event was made possible through close collaboration between Romanian Institute for Active Aging, Brașov County Council, the County Library, and the Local Council of Seniors, alongside partners such as certSIGN, Neotech, and Acronis.
In her address, Alexandra Dobre, Alexandra Dobre, PhD in public policy and leader of the program, emphasized the value of creating an age-inclusive digital society: “We all have parents or grandparents and we want them to stay connected with us through technology, but we also want them to be safe. Our program offers them the tools to do just that – to confidently use the internet, to spot scams, to avoid clicking on harmful links, and to understand why privacy matters. We believe that cybersecurity is a right, not a privilege, and our seniors deserve to be protected just like any other digital citizen.”
One of the defining strengths of the program is its multi-stakeholder approach. Private companies with cybersecurity expertise, like Acronis and certSIGN, bring real-world knowledge and resources, while public institutions ensure the initiative reaches those who need it most. This combination has proven effective in building both awareness and trust among senior citizens, who often rely on in-person guidance and clear, jargon-free explanations.
The sessions mix short lectures with interactive Q&As, live demonstrations, and printed materials that participants can take home. The curriculum includes how to recognize suspicious emails or messages, tips on setting strong passwords, avoiding fake contests and misleading ads, and understanding social media privacy settings.
Following Brașov, additional sessions are planned for other cities across the country, continuing the mission of digital empowerment for Romania’s seniors.
