Improve your secure online behaviour with the Cyber Welfare Model

How many times have you heard that “the weak link in security is the human”? Often, the problem is not a lack of technical tools, but the way we use them. Knowing the risk is useless if, faced with a suspicious link or a password request, we act impulsively or lazily. The Cyber Welfare Behaviour Model is the path that transforms your theoretical notions into steel-like habits.

On this page, you will discover how to evolve your way of operating in the digital world. Moving from impulsive to structured and secure behaviour is not just a matter of technique, but also of constant training. Defining your behaviour level will allow you to understand which “automatic responses” you need to correct to truly protect your digital life and that of those close to you.

What the Behaviour Model is: the practice of protection

The Behaviour Model represents the practical growth path in security and privacy. It is the indicator that measures how many good practices have become part of your daily routine.

What it is NOT: It is not a list of prohibitions. Instead, it is a compass to guide your actions. While awareness concerns your perception, behaviour concerns the facts: how you manage sessions (R22), install software (R25), and respond to emergencies (R32). It is the transition from theory to operational resilience.

The 5 Levels of Secure Behaviour

The model develops across five stages, which reflect your ability to translate prudence into concrete action:

🔴 Level 1: Insecure

Indicates conduct that constantly puts security at risk. A person at this level does not adopt adequate precautions, often because they ignore the risks or underestimate the consequences of their actions (like using the same password everywhere or clicking on every attachment).

🟠 Level 2: Developing

It is the moment of initial adoption. You are acquiring the first skills, but your action is still uncertain or discontinuous. You might apply a recommendation today and forget it tomorrow, leaving gaps that an attacker could exploit.

🟡 Level 3: Compliant

At this level, your behaviour is aligned with the guidelines. You consistently follow good practices and commit to adhering to established recommendations (such as using MFA or regularly backing up). You are a reliable user who respects the rules.”

🟢 Level 4: Aware

Secure behaviour becomes critical and adaptive. You don’t just follow a checklist; you can also evaluate the context. You know when a situation requires extra prudence and take the initiative to protect yourself even in new or ambiguous scenarios.

🔵 Level 5: Secure

It is behavioural excellence. Security is integrated into your every activity, online and offline, naturally and constantly. You possess a deep knowledge of threats and act as an active promoter, sharing best practices and positively influencing others’ behaviour.

Why it is important: transforming fragility into strength

Changing your behaviour is the only way to make any technology investment effective. An antivirus cannot save you if you knowingly choose to ignore its warnings.

Improving your behaviour level serves to:

• Reduce the impact of errors: Secure habits limit damage even when we fall into a trap.
• Create automatism: When a behaviour becomes “secure,” it no longer requires mental effort; you just do it.
• Build reputation: Compliant and aware behaviour makes you a reliable partner in work and social life.

Conclusion: a constant commitment to change

Secure behaviour is not a static goal, but a continuous process. It requires commitment to learning and, above all, the ability to adapt to new threats that emerge every day.

Remember that your position on this scale can vary depending on the context (perhaps you are “Secure” with your work email, but still “Developing” with your personal social media). The goal of the Cyber Welfare Framework is to help you maintain a high standard of conduct in every area, protecting yourself and your community.

How to verify your behaviour

Do you want to know where you stand? Use the tools in our ecosystem:

1. Practical Checklists: In every Recommendation (“Learn” section), you will find points to verify if your actions are compliant.
2. Self-Assessment: The dedicated behaviour test will ask you questions about real situations to measure your reactivity.

Community: Compare notes with others to discover how they transformed difficult tasks into simple habits.