The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 5 of GSUSA Ambassador Cybersecurity Basics badge requirements.

Info Needed for the badge requirements: Cybersecurity is a diverse field with many career paths beyond ethical hacking. Each path caters to different skills and interests. Scouts can explore these seven cybersecurity career categories: Analyze: Focus on examining data to detect potential threats or vulnerabilities. Collect and Operate: Involves gathering intelligence and conducting operations to counter cyber threats. Investigate: Focuses on tracking cybercrimes and identifying attackers. Operate and Maintain: Keeps systems running smoothly and securely. Oversee and Govern: Ensures organizations follow cybersecurity policies and regulations. Protect and Defend: Prevents and responds to cybersecurity incidents. Securely Provision: Develops and implements secure systems and applications.

Items Needed

• VTK Cyber Career Inventory Scoresheet by GSUSA for each scout
• VTK Station Handouts by GSUSA
• Pen or pencil for each scout
• (Optional) Computers, tablets, or other devices with internet access for career research

Instructions

1. Set up seven stations with a printout of the 5 questions for each station:
   • Analyze
   • Collect and Operate
   • Investigate
   • Operate and Maintain
   • Oversee and Govern
   • Protect and Defend
   • Securely Provision
2. At each station, Scouts read five statements and decide how true each is for themselves. They add their total points together. Scouts color in the number of blocks on the Scoresheet for that station.
3. Allow 10-15 minutes for scouts to visit all seven stations.
4. After completing the stations, discuss results as a group.
   • In which categories did you score the highest?
   • Does this category seem like a good career fit for you? Why or why not?
   • What steps could you take to prepare for a career in this category?

Optional Extension

• If devices are available, give scouts time to research careers using resources like:
  • CyberSeek heat map
  • NICCS Cybersecurity Workforce Framework
  • NICERC blog on educational paths to cybersecurity careers: NICERC Blog
• Encourage independent exploration after the meeting, with a focus on:
  • Education and certification requirements
  • Job availability and locations
  • Average salary