Evaluate your risk perception with the Awareness Model
We often think that being safe online only requires complicated passwords or expensive antivirus software. In reality, our most powerful defence is what happens one second before clicking: awareness. Knowing how to read between the lines of a suspicious email or understanding the real value of personal data is what distinguishes a vulnerable user from a protected one.
The Awareness Model by Cyber Welfare is the scale we use to measure how “awake” you are on the digital plane. It is not an exam, but an evolutionary journey that accompanies you from the fog of unawareness to total mastery, allowing you to protect not only yourself but also to become a positive point of reference for those around you.
From doubt to mastery: the 5 degrees of awareness
Awareness is not an on/off switch, but a muscle that develops in degrees. Here is how we have defined the levels in our Framework:
⚪ Level 1: Unaware
This is the stage of a lack of knowledge. A person at this level has an almost non-existent perception of risk and may not be aware of basic concepts or dangers related to their digital life. It is the moment when they are most exposed because “they don’t know that they don’t know.”
🔵 Level 2: Basic
Represents the first step out of the shadows. You have a general understanding of the risks, but your knowledge remains fragile. You realise that dangers exist, but you lack the necessary information to fully understand the implications and adopt truly effective defence measures.
🟡 Level 3: Intermediate
Here, awareness becomes operational. You have a deeper understanding and, most importantly, you have trained your eye: you can recognise potentially problematic situations before they escalate, and you already know how to adopt the first preventive measures to protect yourself.
🟠 Level 4: Advanced
At this level, you move from defence to proactivity. Not only do you have a thorough understanding of the risks, but you can also evaluate and mitigate threats proactively. Furthermore, you begin to take an active role, sharing your digital sensibility with family and colleagues.
🔴 Level 5: Expert
This is the peak of the model. The awareness expert has a complete and systemic understanding of the digital ecosystem. You are capable of managing extremely complex situations, developing advanced defence strategies, and positively influencing others, becoming a true leader in promoting a culture of security.
Awareness is a continuous process
These labels are not static medals, but a compass for your growth. It is important to emphasise that awareness is an evolving process: a person can improve (or, unfortunately, regress) over time through learning and experience.
Maintaining the “Awareness Expert” level requires constant commitment. Threats change, technologies evolve, and your analytical capacity must adapt accordingly. Cyber Welfare is here to provide you with the tools you need to make this evolution natural and rewarding.
How to interact with this model
To make the most of the Awareness Model, we recommend using the tools you find in the top menu:
- Self-Assessment: Take the test to honestly understand your current level.
- Learn: Consult the specific recommendations for your current level to fill in the gaps.
- Courses: Follow the guided paths to train your “sensors” and climb the hierarchy up to the Expert level.