At the BSA, we’re committed to online safety for both Scouts and Scouters, and we have a plethora of resources to help keep you and your family protected on the web. In fact, October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to raise awareness about cybersecurity.
We live in a world that is more connected than ever before. The Internet touches almost all aspects of everyone’s daily life, whether we realize it or not. National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives to raise awareness about cybersecurity, provide them with tools and resources needed to stay safe online.
With that in mind, here are six things to help you safeguard your online activities:
1. There’s a “BSA Safety Moment” for that. The BSA’s Health and Safety Team has developed dozens of BSA Safety Moment one-page guides that are perfect for starting a discussion around safety while at work or engaged in Scouting activities — including one on cyber safety.
2. Also, this month we recommend you check out the following two Stop.Think.Connect. websites.
3. Review Chapter 13: Personal Safety Awareness, Boy Scout Handbook 13th Edition.
- This chapter includes helpful information on a number of different topics such as child abuse and neglect, bullying and hazing, and staying safe online.
4. What you need to know about the Cyber Chip Requirement
- Cyber Chip is now required for rank advancement. For more information, see the BSA’s Advancement and Awards web page.
- For more information about NCMEC NetSmartz and Cyber Chip, see BSA’s Cyber Chip web page and NCMEC NetSmartz web page.
5. Review the latest updates on Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse on BSA’s Youth Protection web page.
6. Hold Local Awareness Events.
- Consider holding or joining an awareness event in your community; some councils now conduct an annual Youth Protection Symposium.
- These symposia include presentations and workshops on Youth Protection topics and collaboration with community partners such as child advocacy centers, law enforcement, and other youth-serving groups.
From young Scouts to Scouters, it’s important for everyone to stay safe online at all times of the year. Share this post with your family and co-workers in Scouting and let us know in the comments below how you take precautions to stay safe on the web!
The post 6 Ways to Raise Awareness for Cyber Security and Online Safety This Month appeared first on Scouting Wire.
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