This year’s Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards uncovered and celebrated the individuals and teams that go above and beyond to make the UK a safer place to do business, as well as share and spread their expertise far and wide. The sponsors included KnowBe4, Check Point Software, ThinkCyber, The Zensory, Hornetsecurity and Pulse Conferences.
Chief Commissioner at Girlguiding South West England, Racheal Tattum, shared with the IT Security Guru some insights into the Best Security Awareness Campaign winning initiative, SWEBOTS.
What does your job role entail?
RT: I am responsible for overseeing the whole of Girlguiding in South West England (covering 16 counties and islands across the south west), working closely with lead volunteers from these counties as well as the region staff team. We have over 11,500 volunteers and 46,000 girls within our region, so it is a huge privilege being in this voluntary role.
Why do you think community in cyber so important?
RT: As a youth organisation, we have a responsibility to educate our young members about the importance of cyber security and staying safe online. We work with 46,000 girls and 11,500 volunteers so this resource we created is brilliant on teaching about cyber in a fun, safe and educational way.
What does it mean to you to be an ‘Unsung Hero’?
RT: We are incredibly proud to receive this award for the SWEBOTS resource. Our goal has always been to equip our members, within Girlguiding South West England, with the knowledge and skills to explore the digital world confidently and safely. This recognition highlights the importance of engaging young people in cyber awareness, and we couldn’t have done it without the hard work of our volunteers and the fantastic support from the National Cyber Security Centre and CyberFirst. It’s wonderful to see so many girls in Girlguiding South West England benefitting from this resource.
Is there anything you’d like people to know about the SWEBOTS?
RT: Girlguiding is the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls. Our volunteers help local girls and young women enjoy a wide range of exciting activities, as well as acquire new skills and experiences – and have fun at the same time. Flexible volunteering is highly encouraged, with lots of different roles on offer for those who want to take a more adaptable approach to Guiding.
Being a Girlguiding volunteer could see you going around the world accompanying girls on trips of a lifetime, spending a weekday evening helping girls learn a new skill or enjoying an action-packed outdoors adventure weekend as you make your own lifelong friendships. There are lots of different roles to choose from to fit in with your lifestyle and we will provide all the training and support you need. We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths and abilities. For more information about volunteering with Girlguiding, visit girlguidingsouthwest.org.uk/join-us or contact [email protected]
