During International Cybersecurity Awareness Month,
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT are announcing an amazing relationship with global cybersecurity leader
Palo Alto Networks.
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT as an organization and through its network of volunteer Unit Leaders have continued to support girls by providing a safe place to grow during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization has moved and adapted the delivery of their programs to a virtual and flexible model to keep the girls connected and busy with interesting activities.
The Girl Guides are dedicated to helping support girls develop skills that will last them a lifetime. They provide a place where girls can learn, build their skills and connect with like-minded peers. When delivering this service online, safety is paramount.
This is where Palo Alto Networks comes in. Palo Alto Networks gathered experts in cybersecurity, training, curriculum development, social impact, marketing and more to create 16 lessons that address four cornerstones of cyber safety for kids, and Carolina Peters has worked alongside her colleagues at Palo Alto Networks and Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT to adapt the Cyber Activities in Cybersecurity Education for Students program (Cyber A.C.E.S. in short) for delivery to Girl Guides.
Carolina Peters, Volunteer Guide Leader, works for Palo Alto Networks, a global cybersecurity leader and company that’s committed to educating the next generation and to a future where each day is safer and more secure than the one before.
In launching the Cyber A.C.E.S program for Girl Guides, Carolina Peters said “Cybersecurity is one of many STEM related areas where a gender imbalance is quite pronounced. It is also an area of significant growth in Australia, where we will need to fill up to 9,000 cybersecurity positions this year.
“Fundamentally, the lessons are designed to demystify cybersecurity and empower the next generation to be cyber safe. If the program then inspires someone to pursue a career in cybersecurity, then that is an added bonus!” continued Carolina.
Regional Vice President ANZ for Palo Alto Networks Steve Manley said ”We are working with Girl Guides to bring STEM and cybersecurity into a diverse environment adapting our cybersecurity awareness program, tried and tested in the U.S. into a relevant program for Australian Girl Guides, and they can even earn a badge!”
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT’s State Commissioner Sarah Neill added “Cyber A.C.E.S. is a terrific program that includes age appropriate activities to show all Girl Guides how to be aware and responsible whilst online. This relationship with Palo Alto Networks has really empowered Girl Guides as an Association to continue to support our girls through this period where meeting in person is not always possible, knowing that they have the resources to really understand cybersecurity.”