Cybersecurity
Description
The Cybersecurity Merit Badge equips Scouts with essential knowledge and skills to navigate and protect the digital world. Scouts learn about online safety, ethical behavior, cyber threats, and how to defend against them using tools like firewalls, antivirus software, and strong passwords. They explore encryption, connected devices, and the risks of public Wi-Fi, while also practicing safe habits like updating software and backing up data. Through hands-on activities, Scouts investigate real-world cyber incidents, participate in cybersecurity challenges, and explore career opportunities in the field.
Prerequisites
Disclaimer:
This badge is very heavy in discussion-based requirements. As such, we will spend much of our class time discussing cybersecurity as it relates to the various requirements. It is expected that scouts come to class prepared to contribute to the classroom discussion. It is therefore strongly recommended but not required that the scout download and fill out the merit badge workbook. Due to time constraints, not every scout will be asked to respond to every question, however, scouts should be prepared to respond when selected.
Prerequisites and Guidance:
1a) View the personal safety awareness video. Should take less than 15 minutes.
4e) Read an article OR watch a movie OR read a book about cybersecurity, and discuss
5b(2) Demonstrate to your counselor how to check for updates on a computer or mobile device. We simply do not have time for everyone to demonstrate this during class. Please record yourself doing this using any of the following options:
- A free screen recorder, such as this one
- The native screen recorder app in a smartphone. Instructions are here for Apple or Android devices
- You (or someone else) holding a camera and recording a video
5c(8) Research best practices for protecting a home computer or network. This will be discussed in class Note: We will be doing requirements 5c(6) and 5c(7) together in class. It is therefore recommended, if possible, that you join class from a computer and not a mobile device.
Questions, comments, concerns:
Please don't hesitate to reach out - I am here to help and want everyone to get this badge and have some fun doing it. Feel free to email me at nathanabdelmalek@gmail.com with any questions or issues you may be experiencing. Please make sure to have at least one other adult copied on your email, per scouting guidelines.
This badge is very heavy in discussion-based requirements. As such, we will spend much of our class time discussing cybersecurity as it relates to the various requirements. It is expected that scouts come to class prepared to contribute to the classroom discussion. It is therefore strongly recommended but not required that the scout download and fill out the merit badge workbook. Due to time constraints, not every scout will be asked to respond to every question, however, scouts should be prepared to respond when selected.
Prerequisites and Guidance:
1a) View the personal safety awareness video. Should take less than 15 minutes.
4e) Read an article OR watch a movie OR read a book about cybersecurity, and discuss
5b(2) Demonstrate to your counselor how to check for updates on a computer or mobile device. We simply do not have time for everyone to demonstrate this during class. Please record yourself doing this using any of the following options:
- A free screen recorder, such as this one
- The native screen recorder app in a smartphone. Instructions are here for Apple or Android devices
- You (or someone else) holding a camera and recording a video
5c(8) Research best practices for protecting a home computer or network. This will be discussed in class Note: We will be doing requirements 5c(6) and 5c(7) together in class. It is therefore recommended, if possible, that you join class from a computer and not a mobile device.
Questions, comments, concerns:
Please don't hesitate to reach out - I am here to help and want everyone to get this badge and have some fun doing it. Feel free to email me at nathanabdelmalek@gmail.com with any questions or issues you may be experiencing. Please make sure to have at least one other adult copied on your email, per scouting guidelines.