The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 5 of GSUSA Ambassador Cybersecurity Safeguards badge requirements.

Info Needed for the badge requirements: Social marketing focuses on inspiring positive changes in behavior for the good of society, rather than selling products. It uses creative strategies to promote healthy habits and actions, like wearing seatbelts, quitting smoking, or using reusable bags. A campaign encourages others to adopt good cyber habits, using similar techniques to influence behavior in a positive way.

Items Needed

• 8 pre-prepared cards with a question written on it (see list below)
• Props for creativity, such as craft supplies, costumes, or digital devices to create a campaign item
• A timer or stopwatch
• Pen and paper (one for each scout group)

Instructions

1. Tell scouts they’ve been hired as “Cyber Influencers” tasked with creating a fun and engaging campaign to promote a healthy cyber habit. Announce that this is a challenge where they’ll work together in teams to tackle prompts and build their campaign in a creative way.
2. Divide scouts into small groups (3-4 per team) and assign each group a cyber hygiene practice (see list below). Give each team a pen and paper and instruct them to choose a scribe that can write fast.
3. Use the pre-prepared cards to guide teams through each step of the campaign process. Every 2 minutes, give a new card to the teams – use the timer/stopwatch! They must brainstorm and the scribe record their answers quickly before the time is up and the troop moves on to the next card.
4. After the rounds, teams design a quick campaign using their ideas. The challenge? They only have 10 minutes to do it. They can:
   • Act out a funny skit to promote their habit.
   • Create a slogan or cheer and perform it.
   • Draw a comic strip or poster.
   • Record a short “video ad” if digital devices are available.
5. Each team presents their campaign to the group in a fun and informal way. Encourage laughter, creativity, and celebration of unique ideas.

Cyber Hygiene Question Cards

Here’s a list of what each pre-prepared card could say:

Card 1: “What cyber hygiene practice do you want people to adopt? Why is it important?”
Leader Note: Think of a catchy phrase to describe this practice, like “Password Power-Up” or “Wi-Fi Wise.”

Card 2: “Who is your target audience? (Who do you want to adopt this behavior?)”
Leader Note: Scouts can give a fun nickname to their audience, like “The Cyber Heroes” or “Data Defenders.”

Card 3: “What obstacles might stop people from adopting this behavior?”
Leader Note: Encourage creative thinking. For example, “People might think it’s too time-consuming, but how can we make it quick and easy?”

Card 4: “What can you do to reduce these obstacles?”
Leader Note: Add fun or humorous suggestions, like “host a ‘Secure Your Devices Day’ or create a funny reminder meme.”

Card 5: “Where, when, and how often should people adopt this behavior?”
Leader Note: Encourage scouts to think outside the box, like “right after school during a daily habit checklist” or “before connecting to public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop.”

Card 6: “How can you make it easier or more enjoyable for people to follow this habit?”
Leader Note: Suggest using gamification ideas, like “a points system for safe habits” or “challenge friends to a weekly safety check.”

Card 7: “How can you reach your target audience? (e.g., social media, memes, videos, events)”
Leader Note: Remind scouts to think about what’s popular with their audience, like creating a TikTok trend, designing a cool sticker, or hosting a fun online event.

Card 8: “What kind of product, ad, or campaign will you create to promote this habit?”
Leader Note: Encourage them to be bold—skits, slogans, GIFs, or even a superhero mascot are all fair game. Creativity wins!

Cyber Hygiene Assignments

Here’s a list of cyber hygiene practices a leader could assign to groups:

1. Update Software Regularly: Discuss why keeping software and apps updated is crucial for security.
2. Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Highlight risks of public networks and safer alternatives.
3. Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Explore the importance of secure passwords and password management tools.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Explain how this adds an extra layer of protection.
5. Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links: Focus on identifying and avoiding phishing scams or unsafe links.
6. Keep Social Media Accounts Private: Share tips for setting privacy controls and reviewing friend requests.
7. Back Up Data Regularly: Discuss how and why to back up files to secure storage or cloud services.
8. Install Antivirus Software: Explore the role of antivirus programs in keeping devices secure.
9. Delete Old Accounts and Apps: Review the importance of decluttering unused accounts or apps.
10. Cover Your Webcam When Not in Use: Explain privacy benefits of blocking potential access.
11. Use Image Search for Vetting Profile Photos: Introduce tools to confirm if online profiles are legitimate.
12. Think Before You Post: Discuss how posts can impact your digital footprint and future opportunities.