Girl Scouts Introduces Cyber Safety Patch

The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida and the Center for Cyber Safety and Education have created a new cyber safety patch that was announced at GS Fest 2016 in Tampa, FL, Oct. 1.

The pilot patch program, the first of its kind in the country, teaches girls basic cyber safety principles and exposes them to the cybersecurity field. Girl Scouts at any level—Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador—and in any troop in the U.S. are able to earn the patch, which is part of the Center's Safe and Secure Online program.

While the patch requirements vary by membership level, all levels can fulfill requirements using the Center’s newest materials, which feature Garfield and friends.

The program kicks off in October, which is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Pat Craven, the center’s director, wants the program to help girls realize their potential as well as help them be cyber safe.

"Our research indicates that the percentage of women that makes up the cybersecurity workforce—roughly 10—has not budged over the last decade. To alter this statistic, it's critical that we foster girls' interest in STEM throughout their education. We hope that this program helps us finally move the needle by opening up career possibilities to this sorely underrepresented population," he said.

Jessica Muroff, CEO of the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, shares Craven’s goals. “We are committed to providing girls with opportunities in STEM fields. By collaborating with the center, we are able not only to empower girls to respect themselves and others online but also to discover new opportunities in an exciting career field," she said.

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