Girl Scouts Can Now Earn a Cyber Security Badge

The new Girl Scouts cybersecurity badge will launch in partnership with security firm Palo Alto Networks.

Palo Alto Networks will invest in GSUSA to develop this programming over the course of five years, led by a panel of cybersecurity experts. GSUSA and Palo Alto Networks expect to roll out the first in a series of 18 Cybersecurity badges to Girl Scouts nationwide in September 2018. 
 
Computer security, also known as cyber security or IT security, is the protection of computer systems from the theft or damage to their hardware, software or information, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.

Photo Credit: GSUSA

The focus for younger Girl Scouts will include data privacy, cyberbullying and protecting themselves online. 

Older members will learn how to code, become white hat (or ethical) hackers and create and work around firewalls. 


The Girl Scouts program could help narrow the gender gap in technical fields by exposing girls to these opportunities earlier.

Cybersecurity workers are in high demand. According to a report from Frost & Sullivan, there will be a shortage of 1.5 million cybersecurity workers globally by 2020. 

You can read the full article on ABC News.