Anastasios Arampatzis

Something the World Happiness Report 2026 reveals deserves more attention than it has received outside wellbeing circles. In Western Europe and English-speaking countries, young people who use social media for more than seven hours a day report significantly lower wellbeing than those who use it for under an hour. The most damaging platforms are not those that connect people, but those built on passive consumption and algorithmically curated content. The distinction is precise, and it matters beyond public health. The WHR 2026 identifies a cluster of conditions accompanying heavy social media use: declining interpersonal trust, reduced perceived social activity, weakened…

How many times have you caught yourself humming a song you heard years ago? Or woken up with a melody stuck in your head? I’m guessing the answer is “many.” Now, how many times have you hummed something about cybersecurity? Some songs are so deeply embedded in our collective consciousness that we can sing them word for word—even if we’ve never actively listened to them. Their melodies trigger emotions, their lyrics transport us to a time or place, and their messages become part of who we are. This is the power of music and this is culture at work. It…

Most employees breeze through cybersecurity awareness modules the way they skip through software Terms & Conditions: scroll, scroll, scroll — “I agree.” Tick the box. Move on with your day. Job done. But what if hidden inside the T&Cs — or your security training — was the equivalent of Van Halen’s infamous brown M&Ms clause? Would anyone even notice? The Wi-Fi Example: People Will Sign Anything Years ago, a security experiment in London tricked public Wi-Fi users into agreeing to a clause that required them to give up their first-born child in exchange for internet access. And people clicked “Accept.”…

Generative AI (GenAI) has clear potential in low-risk contexts—such as enhancing productivity, supporting research, and aiding professional workflows. Where it can serve as a powerful, time-saving tool. But this begins to change dramatically when we enter high-risk arenas, particularly education, where minors are involved and formative learning, trust, and their rights need safeguarding. Any steps must be firmly anchored in the rule of law, regulatory compliance, and rigorous oversight—not wishful thinking or classical rhetoric. The “OpenAI for Greece” rollout: groundbreaking or reckless? On 5 September 2025, the Greek government formally inked a Memorandum of Understanding with OpenAI to pilot ChatGPT…

On 20 March 2025, I had the honor of moderating an amazing panel of experts during an event co-organized by JOIST Innovation Park, ISC2 Hellenic Chapter, Homo Digitalis, and Charisma Works. I am also grateful that the cybersecurity marketing agency Bora sponsored the event! It was a vivid discussion with the audience asking not only many, but in-depth questions, proving once more that people are eager to learn more and see themselves in cybersecurity and data protection. After the event, while we were having a nice dinner accompanied by fine local rose wine, I recently asked Michail Bletsas, Governor of…

The 2025 technology landscape reveals a year of seismic shifts driven by surging interest in AI and an intensified focus on cybersecurity governance. Insights from the latest O’Reilly 2025 Technology Trends Report shed light on these pivotal changes shaping the industry. The AI Upskilling Boom Artificial Intelligence continues to dominate the technology and business landscape as a transformative force. O’Reilly’s platform data underscores an unprecedented demand for AI-related skills, with the most pronounced usage increases seen in topics like prompt engineering (456% increase), AI principles (386% increase), and generative AI (289% increase). Professionals across industries are not just embracing AI…

The digital landscape has become an integral part of our lives, and social media platforms are at its heart. While these platforms offer undeniable benefits in connecting people and fostering communities, they also pose significant risks, especially for children. Exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and the addictive nature of social media have raised serious concerns among parents and policymakers alike. In response, countries are grappling with how best to protect kids online, and the debate over age verification is taking center stage. These initiatives are well-intentioned but have drawn criticism for potentially infringing on privacy rights and failing to address…

While lucrative for e-commerce businesses, the holiday shopping season also brings a surge in cyber threats. A recent study by Liquid Web highlights a worrying trend: December, the most critical month for online retailers, sees a staggering 31% increase in cyberattacks compared to the yearly average. This means that while shoppers hunt for the perfect gifts, cybercriminals are lurking, ready to exploit vulnerabilities and steal sensitive data. This isn’t exactly a stocking stuffer any business owner wants to find. Cyberattacks surge as consumers flock to online stores for holiday deals, turning this festive period into a prime opportunity for digital…

The year 2024 proved challenging for cybersecurity in Greece, with a significant surge in the volume and sophistication of cyberattacks. Ransomware attacks, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) all significantly disrupted businesses, government services, and critical infrastructure. Efstratios Lontzetidis, a Cyber Threat Intelligence Researcher based in Greece, provided a compelling round up of the most essential threats facing Greece in the past year. Let’s take a quick look at the highlights. Ransomware Attacks Intensify Ransomware emerged as a dominant threat in Greece throughout 2024, affecting education, retail, shipping, and media sectors. Notably, groups like RansomHub and Akira…

The holidays are a time for joy, connection, and giving, but amidst the festive cheer lies a growing cyber threat that’s anything but jolly. As we fill our online shopping carts with gifts for loved ones, scammers are busy crafting their own presents—persuasive, GenAI-generated phishing emails and ads designed to steal your personal information, financial data, and peace of mind. In the spirit of the season, let’s unwrap the truth about these scams and learn how to keep our celebrations secure. The Rise of GenAI-Powered Scams Gone are the days of poorly written phishing emails that could be spotted from…