Girl Scouts cybersecurity badge program provides access to cybersecurity education and deeper STEM engagement for young girls
SINGAPORE — March 2, 2021 — Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, announced a collaboration with Accenture and USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) to introduce the cybersecurity badge program in Singapore. The program offers a cybersecurity curriculum to girls in Singapore from ages 5 to 18.
112 Girl Scouts from various schools in Singapore took part in the launch, where volunteers from Palo Alto Networks and Accenture conducted cybersecurity lessons for the young girls. The program, currently delivered through the in-person facilitation of small groups, is designed to engage girls across different age groups, from "Daisies" (ages 5-6) all the way up to "Seniors" (15-16 years of age). Among the cybersecurity concepts covered in the curriculum are safer internet habits and the recognition of cyberthreats, which are explored through games, activities and craftwork. The participants received badges upon completion of the lessons.
“This cybersecurity badge program is part of Palo Alto Networks’ ongoing global efforts toward eliminating traditional barriers to technology industry access, such as gender and geography. Cultivating an early interest in cybersecurity and technology among girls and encouraging them to pursue leadership roles in these fields is a great way of improving the access to careers in these areas. We’re proud to partner with USAGSO Singapore and Accenture to help make this happen and bring these learning opportunities to bright, young female talents across the region,” said Simon Green, President, Japan and Asia-Pacific, Palo Alto Networks.
“There’s no limit to what our Girl Scouts can achieve. We hope that by equipping them with the foundations of critical technologies like cybersecurity, we can inspire a new generation of fearless female leaders and innovators that are ready to seize the opportunities of the digital economy.” said Jennifer Yarbrough, Overseas Committee Chair, USA Girl Scouts Overseas Singapore.
“Ensuring a safe and secure cyberspace is a shared responsibility. Through this collaboration, we hope to empower Girl Scouts across all ages, with basic cybersecurity literacy and knowledge to act as responsible digital citizens. Early education in cybersecurity can also inspire more girls to pursue the cybersecurity field. At Accenture, we are committed to building a next-generation digital workforce and bringing young people into a more-inclusive future of work,” said Ng Wee Wei, Country Managing Director, Singapore, Accenture.
Palo Alto Networks’ partnership with Girl Scouts has gained significant momentum in the U.S., with over 200,000 badges distributed since the program’s launch in 2017. Partnerships with organisations such as Girl Scouts play an important role in helping to address both the technology talent crunch and gender parity goal in STEM fields by reducing some of the traditional barriers to STEM education access and cultivating an early interest in cybersecurity and technology. Cybersecurity roles have consistently appeared on LinkedIn’s annual Emerging Jobs Reports and are frequently ranked among the most in demand, yet women continue to remain vastly underrepresented in the industry, holding just 11% of cybersecurity jobs worldwide.
About Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, is shaping the cloud-centric future with technology that is transforming the way people and organizations operate. Our mission is to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life. We help address the world's greatest security challenges with continuous innovation that seizes the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, analytics, automation, and orchestration. By delivering an integrated platform and empowering a growing ecosystem of partners, we are at the forefront of protecting tens of thousands of organizations across clouds, networks, and mobile devices. Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.
Palo Alto Networks and the Palo Alto Networks logo are trademarks of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. in the United States and jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.
USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) brings Girl Scouts to the daughters of military, foreign service, and American expat families around the world and to girls in American or International schools. An operating unit of Girl Scouts of the USA, USAGSO ensures that no matter where American families move, they will have access to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. USAGSO supports over 12,500 members in 90+ countries around the world.
Not only do USAGSO members participate in the same great Girl Scout Leadership Experience as their stateside sister scouts, but they also experience much more. Many USAGSO families relocate every 2-4 years; USA Girl Scouts Overseas provides a sense of security and stability as families transition to new locations. Through USA Girl Scouts Overseas, girls find an immediate support network and friendship group with whom they have something in common: The Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Far from the United States, Girl Scouts connects girls to their American culture and, through our worldwide network, helps girls bridge cultural gaps and build friendships around the world. Our strong partnerships with the local Girl Guide/Scout programs provide opportunities for USAGSO members, and their families, to actively participate in bi-lateral host nation programs that are exciting, unique, and profound.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services—all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 514,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
Copyright © 2021 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks of Accenture.
Media Contacts
Libby Chang
Corporate Communications Manager, Asia Pacific, Palo Alto Networks
libbychang@paloaltonetworks.com
RICE Communications on behalf of Palo Alto Networks
paloaltonetworks@ricecomms.com
Susan Williams
Publicity Chair, USAGSO Singapore
communications@singaporeusagirlscouts.org
Yasmin Quek
Accenture
yasmin.quek@accenture.com
+65 6410 8216