Girl Guides of Canada and BlackBerry Announce Success of Joint Cybersecurity Education Program

'Digital Defenders' crests awarded to 5,600+ cybersavvy girls

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Mar 08, 2021, 08:00 ET

TORONTO and WATERLOO, ON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- To mark International Women's Day, Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada (GGC) and BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today announced the success of their joint cybersecurity skills-based program, with more than 5,600 GGC members across the country earning Digital Defenders crests; proof of their newfound cyber-smarts.

Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada (GGC) and BlackBerry Limited today announced the success of their joint cybersecurity skills-based program, with more than 5,600 GGC members across the country earning Digital Defenders crests.

Announced in November 2019 and designed to provide girls with the necessary skill-set to spark early interest in the cybersecurity industry, the Girl Guide-led program encouraged participants to take a "how stuff works" approach to cybersecurity, giving them a robust and in-depth look at the topics through play and discovery-based learning.

In addition to the more than 5,600 girls who were awarded with GGC's first ever cybersecurity crest, over the course of the year long partnership, Girl Guides tackled nearly 20,000 different activities – both online and in-person as part of the program.

Through the program, girls (from the ages of 5 – 18) had the chance to dive into things like how computers work, how data travels, what hacking is all about and how cybersecurity creates layers of protection. From solving puzzles as part of a cybersecurity-inspired escape room, completing a paint-based colour mixing activity to understand encryption, playing tag-based games to explore how different types of malware can infect your computer and much more, Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and Rangers across the country worked to complete a set number of activities and modules that taught them various cybersecurity skills.

"We're thrilled with the program's results and the fact that so many girls saw value in becoming cybersecurity savvy while learning about the consequences and dangers of unsafe online behaviors that could potentially put them, their device or their personal information at risk," said Sarah Tatsis, VP, Advanced Technology Development Labs, BlackBerry. "The Digital Defenders program has allowed girls to develop critical cybersecurity skills – of particular importance right now as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to participate in countless virtual activities and extended periods of remote learning. With the cybersecurity industry facing a significant talent – and gender gap – a big part of the program's aim was to 'spark' cybersecurity interest at a young age and I'm confident that many now see how interesting and valuable these foundational skills are and that there are many career opportunities out there in which they can make a difference with their newfound cyber-smarts."

"At Girl Guides of Canada, we've always empowered girls with the necessary skills they need to excel," said Jill Zelmanovits, CEO, GGC. "We're thrilled that the program was so well received and has become even more relevant for girls today as they navigate the current tech landscape and are emersed in more extended periods of online learning due to current pandemic protocols. Programs like Digital Defenders that encourage girls to dive in, ask curious questions, problem-solve and explore how technology works serve as an important incubator to foster girls' confidence that technology can be a very rewarding career path."

"I learned a lot about cybersecurity through the Digital Defenders program," said Victoria Huk, an Ontario Ranger. "The information was much more current and detailed than what I would have learned in school. Most of the information we get in school revolves around not talking to strangers online, and we don't learn much about cybersecurity. I liked that Digital Defenders included tips that are practical for protecting yourself, such as the importance of creating a strong password and updating it. Overall, I thought it was a great program that was current and engaging."

To learn more about the GGC and BlackBerry "Digital Defenders" program, please visit www.girlguides.ca/digitaldefenders.

About BlackBerry
BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including 175M cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security, endpoint management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust.

BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere.
For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry.

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About Girl Guides of Canada
Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada (GGC) empowers every girl in Guiding to discover herself and be everything she wants to be. In Guiding, girls from 5-17 meet with girls their own age in a safe, inclusive space to explore what matters to them. Options to support girls in virtual Guiding are in place to ensure they can continue to enjoy a wide range of programming options like STEM activities, discussions on mental health and healthy relationships. Girl Guides is where girls take the lead, put their ideas into action and jump into awesome activities – all with the support of engaged leaders who are committed to positively impacting their lives. Guiding is all about supporting girls as they take on challenges and grab hold of every opportunity that comes their way. For more information visit GirlGuides.ca and follow @girlguidesofcanada.

Media Contact:
BlackBerry Media Relations
+1 (519) 597-7273
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SOURCE BlackBerry Limited