Girl Guides partner with Bank of America to for cyber security badge

This year alone, the partnership will benefit girls aged up to 17
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Image via the Irish Girl Guides

6 October 2022

The Irish Girl Guides (IGG) have partnered with Bank of America to promote cyber safety, with the launch of a new Cybersecurity Badge for their Ladybird, Brownie, and Guide branches.

At a time when cybercrime is costing the Irish economy €9.6 billion per annum and over half of children have confirmed that they have been cyberbullied, the new partnership between the Irish Girl Guides and Bank of America that this year alone will benefit over 2,300 girls, age 5-17 years and support them in developing cybersecurity skills.

The launch of the new Cybersecurity Badge programme, created by Dublin based cyber security and technology experts is designed to promote the responsible use of technology and teach the Girl Guides how to stay safe online while also showing the girls and young women the exciting uses and opportunities within the technology industry. 

Partnering with Bank of America and its team of technology experts enabled IGG to develop a bespoke age-appropriate curriculum that encourages girls and young women to explore different aspects of technology in a responsible, fun and educational way. The women within the technology sector of Bank of America represent great models for the Girl Guides to follow as they show the girls what hard work and determination achieves. This partnership further supports IGG mission in enabling girls to discover their full potential and become responsible, savvy users of technology.

October is globally known as International Cybersecurity Awareness Month (ICSAM); a month-long public awareness campaign between governments and industry, which aims to raise public awareness about cyber security best practices, and how to stay safe online wherever you are in the world. To celebrate the launch of the badge programme coinciding with ICSAM, the Irish Girl Guides have released a very special cyber edition of their seasonal magazine, Trefoil News. 

The Cybersecurity Badge programme offers a unique opportunity to learn about personal security from an early age and develop good practices that will serve them well for years to come. Each badge is comprised of activities and games that teach girls and young women taking part the foundations to prevent cyber risks and the appropriate protocol when encountering them. This badge programme which supports each of the Girl Guide branches, covers important topics such as the basics of technology and the internet, password security, risks associated with information sharing, and teaches the girls how to spot online scams.

“Thanks to the support of Bank of America, IGG have been able to revitalise badges that support an awareness of cyber safety at a time when it is important for young girls and parents to be familiar with the opportunities and challenges online,” said Claire Barkey, CEO of Irish Girl Guides. “IGG take great pride in ensuring our programme is relevant and contemporary for our members and supporting young girls to understand different aspects of the IT industry will promote opportunities in STEM moving forward.  We are excited to partner with BOA and look forward to more opportunities for collaboration.”

Roisin Mills, the Brownie Branch Chairperson of Irish Girl Guides, said: “Working in the IT industry as I do, I feel it is really important for all to know how to stay safe online. This badge programme developed by IGG with support from Bank of America will help our girls develop knowledge about how to practice safety and precaution online in a fun and memorable way. This is only the first step in building a foundation and interest in STEM; inspiring girls to uncover their potential and introduce them to the possibility of a career in the STEM field. I cannot wait for my Brownies and Guides to complete the badge.”

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