Local Girls Scouts Become Cyber Security Champions
Boca Raton, FL – Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida partnered with Champion Solutions Group, a national IT solutions firm headquartered in Boca Raton, to bring area Girl Scouts between kindergarten and twelfth grade a brand new program to learn about and earn new STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) badges for cyber security. Champion Solutions Group gave $10,000 as the presenting sponsor to support the program.
Nearly 200 Girl Scouts attended Cyber Security Champions on May 4 in Deerfield Beach where they were led in activities by the cyber security experts of Champion Solutions Group and their partners. The girls gained new essential skills to help combat cyber crime and parents also had a chance to participate in a parent panel where they were shown ways to keep their children safe while using devices connected to the internet.
From malware to phishing, participants learned different terms related to cyber security and how to avoid falling for online schemes. They also learned about the internet and how computers talk to each other, what information to share and what to keep private, how to spot and avoid online dangers, who to trust online, and what to do if they see something suspicious. Girls in grades seven through twelve also had a unique opportunity to hear from females working in the cyber security field and explore various career options in cyber security and what educational steps to take in order to find themselves in one of these lucrative careers.
Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that by 2021, there will be 3.5 million jobs in cyber security, but not enough people with the right expertise to fill them. With cyber crime on the rise and a shortage of a knowledgeable workforce to fill cyber security related positions, this program could very well help feed the pipeline of future female internet security officers.
Females are underrepresented in STEM fields in general, and that is especially the case for the cyber security field which is heavily dominated by males. This program directly addressed this issue and provided girls the space to build confidence in their technology skills and thus increase their interest in pursuing a cyber security career.
About Girl Scouts
For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts has built girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. More than any other organization in our community, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida empowers girls ages 5 to 17 with vision and voice—girls who command their future, engage their communities and inspire others.
Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida is committed to meeting the needs of today’s girls by providing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience that will help her develop skills and create a strong foundation for future success. Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida serves nearly 10,000 girls in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties. To explore opportunities to volunteer or partner with, or join Girl Scouts, call 561-427-0177 or visit www.gssef.org.
