Fulfills Step 5 of GSUSA Senior Cybersecurity Safeguards badge requirements.
Info Needed for the badge requirements: Smart devices in homes include phones, tablets, smart thermostats, home security cameras, and more. These devices make life more convenient, help save energy, and provide safety features like alerts for intruders. However, they also come with risks, such as hacking, data collection, outdated security measures, and the ability to listen and send conversations without you knowing. Any device connected to the internet, from toasters to cars, can be hacked or exploited. For example, hackers have accessed baby monitors to spy on babies or controlled cameras and thermostats without permission. Some smart devices, like voice assistants or connected microphones, can listen for commands and may unintentionally record or send conversations, creating privacy concerns. To stay safe, use strong passwords and never share them, install updates regularly, and research smart products to understand what data the company collects and how they handle voice or audio recordings.
Items Needed
- VTK Smart Home Catalog by GSUSA (one for each pair of scouts)
- Paper (one sheet for each pair)
- Colored pencils or markers to share
Instructions
- Divide scouts into pairs and give each pair a Smart Home Catalog.
- Scouts review the catalog and put a heart next to any devices they’d like in their home someday (e.g., smart refrigerators, thermostats, or coffee makers).
- Pairs choose one device from the catalog and brainstorm 3–4 potential security vulnerabilities it could have.
- Then, each pair designs and draws a new “smart device” that includes safety features to prevent those vulnerabilities.
- After 10 minutes, bring everyone back together.
- Each pair presents their smart device, explaining how it works and its cybersecurity features.
The Badge Archive 