Michalis Bletzas, head of the National Cybersecurity Authority and a researcher at MIT Media Lab, highlighted the need for vigilance against cyberattacks in a statement made today in Thessaloniki. He emphasized that this responsibility falls not only on authorities but on every citizen.
“Never share your data in response to unsolicited communications. Banks will never ask for sensitive information, nor will any other agency. Adhering to this simple rule can eliminate 90% of scams,” he stressed. He also warned about a new fraud scheme where individuals receive letters containing QR codes that lead to malicious websites aimed at stealing personal information.
Addressing attendees at the “Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence” event at the International University of Greece (DI.PA.E.), Mr. Bletzas remarked: “We often create an artificial separation between the physical world and cyberspace. It’s crucial to understand that they are one and the same entity. We form a digital nervous system within society. The outdated notion in large organizations that they can remain secure by erecting barriers is no longer valid. We need to adjust to an environment where threats come through digital channels rather than physical ones. Because we don’t see these threats in cyberspace, we often feel complacent, thinking we don’t need to secure our systems or that it’s solely the government’s responsibility. But that’s not the case. It’s essential for everyone to take ownership of their security. Blaming the National Cybersecurity Authority when incidents occur is unjust, as we offer guidance and resources. However, we are a small agency with vast responsibilities. If individuals don’t prioritize securing their systems, share personal information recklessly, or fail to use two-factor authentication, real cybersecurity cannot be achieved,” he explained.
Mr. Bletzas mentioned the hesitation of even public services to adopt two-factor authentication, likening it to someone walking down the street in their underwear.
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He also highlighted the Authority’s efforts to persuade telecommunications providers to block many illegitimate communications, thereby shielding citizens from malicious SMS, emails, and calls: “Until recently, effective measures to cut these off were lacking. Now we have protocols that all providers must implement, and we are initiating a pan-European effort in this area,” he asserted. He further critiqued social media, calling platforms like those created by Mark Zuckerberg “the worst drug ever released on the planet.”
Reflecting on his past contributions, Mr. Bletzas expressed regret over facilitating internet access to more remote areas, thereby increasing social media use. He described how he and Nicholas Negroponte established the first broadband network in Patras while on vacation, motivated by frustration with slow dial-up connections.
When prompted about necessary changes in Greek universities and education as a whole, he stated: “The challenges we face are increasingly complex. Thus, the specialization seen in Greece is misguided. The early division of humanities from the sciences is a major flaw in our educational system, one that remains untouched. Asking teenagers to choose their lifelong paths in a rapidly changing world is problematic. While the American education system has its flaws, particularly in linking student advancement to financial means, it does permit students to change fields. In Greece, switching disciplines within the same university is often impossible, even when interests change,” he pointed out.
“The Software that Advances Humanity is Not Well Taught”
Discussing the distinction between humans and machines, he noted that the “software” of human society is rooted in humanitarian values. “Artificial Intelligence cannot replicate this. At all levels, software is far more crucial than hardware. Unfortunately, the essential ‘software’ that propels societies is not effectively taught, leading to engineers who overlook the repercussions of their work due to a lack of foundational knowledge. Machines will certainly improve, but they won’t produce original content; they will only replicate what has already been created by humans. We must recognize this, and therefore our educational system should focus on cultivating essential human skills—traits that machines cannot emulate, like empathy and communication,” he stressed.
Mr. Bletzas pointed out humanity’s reliance on compelling narratives, whether they pertain to religion or economics: “So far, I have yet to encounter a captivating story or a good joke crafted by AI. The fundamental human trait is our ability to narrate beautiful stories, which is essential for progress—machines will not take on this role,” he concluded.
He also underscored that the National Cybersecurity Authority’s primary function is regulatory, noting that Greece was among the first seven EU countries to implement the new NIS2 directive, which establishes a unified legal framework for cybersecurity across 18 critical sectors in the EU.
“We are on the verge of signing a Joint Ministerial Decision regarding technical measures,” he explained. He also noted that the Authority’s supervised entities have expanded from around 71 to approximately 400, with an expectation of reaching 2000. The Authority aims to create a compliance framework rather than merely regulations, as Greece often struggles with legislative implementation. “Our focus is on developing a practical framework,” he emphasized.
Greetings were offered by DI.PA.E. rector Spiros Angelopoulos, MP Dimitris Kouvelas, vice-chair of the Committee on Educational Affairs of Parliament, Deputy Mayor of Education and Lifelong Learning, Efi Theodoraki, and Thanos Begkas on behalf of the Central Macedonia Region. Engaging in the discussion alongside Mr. Bletzas were Professor Konstantinos Heilas and DI.PA.E. graduates Kyriakos Stavridis and Dimitris Grendas.
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