The Cyber Welfare Awareness Model: how awake are you in the digital world?

Five levels, from Unaware to Expert, to measure and train your perception of risk

The Cyber Welfare Awareness Model is the scale we use to measure how “awake” you are in the digital world. We often think that staying safe online only takes complicated passwords or expensive antivirus software; in reality, the most powerful defense is what happens one second before the click: awareness. The model is organized into five progressive levels that take you from the fog of unawareness to mastery, with no exams and no judgment.

What you will find in this section

• Level 1 – Unaware: the digital fog: the perception of risk is almost non-existent and dangers remain invisible.
• Level 2 – Basic: the first lights: you know risks exist, but shadows remain to explore and the trap is false security.
• Level 3 – Intermediate: the digital radar: you recognize the signals of a threat before it becomes a problem.
• Level 4 – Advanced: from defense to strategy: you assess risks in advance and become a reference point for others.
• Level 5 – Expert: the systemic vision: you read complexity, develop strategies and act as a guide and mentor.

Why this section: the Cyber Welfare method

The Awareness Model is the “Awareness” pillar of the Cyber Welfare Framework: the ability to read the context before acting. Knowing how to spot a suspicious email or understand the real value of a piece of personal data is what separates a vulnerable user from a protected one: the most powerful defense is what happens one second before the click. Together with the Skills and Behavior models, it contributes to defining your FL1–FL5 maturity level.

Who it is for

Anyone who wants to understand how sharp their perception of online risks really is: people starting from scratch who don’t know what they don’t know, people with some notions who want to verify them, and anyone looking for a clear scale to measure their progress, from doubt to mastery.

Requirements and details

No prerequisites: awareness is not an exam, but an evolutionary journey — a muscle that develops in stages. The natural entry point is the Self-Assessment, which captures your current level. For a complete picture of your profile, explore the Framework’s other two models as well: the Skills Model and the Behavior Model.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Cyber Welfare Awareness Model?

It is the five-level scale — Unaware, Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert — describing how developed your perception of the risks and opportunities of the digital world is.

What is the difference between awareness and skills?

Skills concern what you can technically do; awareness concerns what you perceive and understand about risks, a moment before you act. They are two distinct pillars of the Framework.

How do I find out my awareness level?

Through the Self-Assessment: a questionnaire that analyzes your perception of risk, places you in one of the five levels and suggests how to train this “muscle” step by step.

Take the Self-Assessment and discover your awareness level: it is the first step of an evolutionary journey, not an exam.

Pages in this section

• Level 1 – Unaware: beyond the lack of digital awareness
• Level 2 – Basic digital awareness: beyond the first steps
• Level 3 – Intermediate digital awareness: your digital radar
• Level 4 – Advanced digital awareness: from defense to strategy
• Level 5 – The digital awareness expert: systemic vision and mentoring