Patron
Jürgen Roters
Former Lord Mayor of Cologne
“Smart and Safe in the Internet is a service which offers uncomplicated and rapid help to the citizens of Cologne, along with small and medium-sized enterprises from the region. I support the project because it is good for our city that important institutions from industry and the urban society have come together to make the Internet safer for Cologne.”
Supporters
Jürgen Mathies
Secretary of state, Ministry of the Interior; North Rhine-Westphalia
“Unscrupulous perpetrators, who use their supposed expert knowledge coupled with high levels of criminal energy to manipulate computers, cause enormous damage. Private individuals and companies are affected in equal portions. The cooperation between the Cologne Police and the eco Association is exactly the right way to confront this development: It provides information about protection measures and offers advice in the case of damage. Citizens from the greater Cologne area can feel themselves well looked after in this project, because real specialists offer free support.”
Uwe Jacob
Police President, Cologne
“Social engineering, botnets, ransomware, cyber grooming, or phishing – these are terms which only a fraction of the population can really get to grips with. But together these terms represent a very grave danger – that of computer crime. Many ‘real-life’ crimes are shifting in location to the Internet. The associated financial loss amounts to more than EUR 50 billion annually. In the last two years alone, every second company has been attacked, and the number of unreported cases is estimated to be far higher. Sparing nobody, criminals gain unauthorized access to personal data, which they then use to commit offenses. And the attacking techniques are increasingly unscrupulous and vicious. More and more companies and private individuals are thus becoming victims of cyber crime and require help. With the Internet security portal SUSII (Smart and Secure on the Internet) – which is a collaboration between the Cologne police force and eco – Association of the Internet Industry – an opportunity has been created in Cologne and Leverkusen to offer targeted help to companies and private individuals. All of this is underpinned with a good concept that is free of charge and easy to understand, and the portal is staffed with highly qualified and engaged specialists.”
Dr. Stephan Keller
City Manager for the City of Cologne
“Dr. Keller, City Manager for the City of Cologne: “Security, integrity and privacy are also valuable commodities in the digital world. Cyber crime can affect anyone, whether they are at home on the PC or in the professional environment. The City of Cologne is pleased to support the initiative of the ECO Association and the police, who, as well as providing advice in the case of damage, also provide important explanations and information for citizens and companies alike.”
Dr. Ortwin Weltrich
Managing Director, Cologne Chamber of Trades and Crafts
“The Internet and other digital applications are now a matter of course for many tradespeople and their businesses. However, the security aspects are often not given enough attention. And this is despite the fact that a data leak is very bad for a company – it can even result in the destruction of the affected company! This is why we support ” Smart and Safe in the Internet” with all our might. Here, tradespeople and their businesses receive, in addition to the support through the Chamber of Trades and Crafts, further important tips and assistance.”
Harald A. Summa
CEO, eco e.V.
“In the last few years, citizens and companies have become an increasing focus for cyber criminals. eco and the Cologne Police have recognized the urgency and have come together to establish a project that not only offers first aid and support in the case of damage, but also, in particular helps to prevent the worst of it before it happens, through clarification and prevention measures: So that the data and computers of Leverkusen citizens and companies are kept safe.”