Cyber safety is everyone’s job: How Acronis employees worldwide are stepping up

Cybersecurity Awareness Month each October underscores a critical truth: Cyber safety is everyone’s responsibility. At Acronis, that commitment goes beyond technology, as employees together with our managed service provider (MSP) partners deliver practical lessons to children, parents and seniors worldwide.

From community programs in Bulgaria and Singapore to senior centers in Romania, family workshops in Japan and digital literacy classes in the United States, these sessions transform technical know-how into everyday skills that keep people safe online.

It often begins in small ways. A single employee offers a lesson at a local school, a volunteer explains phishing risks to seniors or a parent shares safe digital habits with other families.

The scale, however, is growing. Since the start of the initiative in 2023, Acronis employees have taught cyber safety to more than 2,750 children, 700 seniors and 100 community members in 13 countries. Each person represents someone better prepared to navigate the digital world.

Why the Acronis commitment to cyber safety matters

The need for education is urgent. Research shows that nearly half of U.S. teens (46%) report have experienced at least one form of cyberbullying. Older adults are also disproportionately targeted: In 2023, scams against individuals aged 60+ resulted in over US $3.4 billion in reported losses. These threats are global and deeply personal — a teenager whose privacy is violated, a retiree losing savings a parent anxious each time their child goes online.

That is why our lessons are tailored. For children, Acronis uses interactive, gamified activities that make cybersecurity feel natural and fun. For older adults, the focus is on real-life examples of scams and building the confidence to recognize and report them. For employees and community groups, Acronis emphasizes good digital hygiene, from password management to safe remote work practices.

Acronis training has an impact across borders

The impact is clear. In Romania, workshops have helped seniors build confidence in spotting online scams, while schoolchildren have learned how to protect themselves on social media. In Bulgaria, interactive sessions in Sofia schools reached hundreds of students with playful but practical lessons on digital safety.

In Switzerland, Acronis employees introduced cybersecurity basics to students with a migratory background, as part of a broader IT skills program. And in the USA and other countries, Kids’ Day events gave families hands-on activities to practice safe digital habits together. Altogether, our global volunteer network has delivered more than 64 sessions in 13 countries across 3 continents.

" I wanted to give back to my community by using the cybersecurity knowledge I had. I never imagined how many of my colleagues around the world would join this mission. Seeing our workshops grow from one small classroom to an international movement has been incredibly rewarding. When you combine expertise with heart, you can make a real impact. "

Silvia Filip, Europe End Customer Acquisition Manager, Acronis.

The strength of Acronis lies in its people. This is not a top-down campaign. It is powered by volunteers across departments, from engineers to marketers, each donating time and passion. And to ensure the ripple effect continues, Acronis publishes educational materials openly, so teachers, NGOs and community leaders can use them anywhere in the world.

Acronis MSP partners support education efforts

This mission is not carried out by employees alone. Acronis managed service provider (MSP) partners contribute their time and expertise to bring cyber safety lessons into local communities. In Romania, Acronis MSP partner Neoteck supported the program by teaching classes in schools. In Switzerland, Backup One, Unimission, zurichnetgroup, IT Fabrik, Ajani and others joined digital literacy and cyber safety workshops alongside Acronis volunteers.

In Japan, a session at Wakayama Nanryo High School was organized with Acronis partner IoT Marketing, ensuring the lessons were grounded in local context and challenges. These contributions extend the program’s reach and ensure that cyber safety education is not only global in scope, but locally relevant.

" We see that young people very often fall victim to internet scammers. Collaborating with Acronis gave me the opportunity to help bridge some of these gaps and truly understand the real needs of children in cyber safety education. Thank you, Acronis, for this important work. "

Mihai Cretu, CTO, Neoteck Services (former Neoteck Grup).

Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a reminder that online threats are constant. But it also shows what’s possible when awareness turns into action. For Acronis, this isn’t a once-a-year campaign. It’s a movement to protect every digital citizen, powered by employees and partners who believe that safer online lives should be within everyone’s reach.