Palo Alto Networks looks to raise awareness about the importance of child safety online in the lead up to Safer Internet Day

SYDNEY, 3 February 2021 – Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW), the global cyber security leader, launches its new Australian 'Cyber Safe Kids' programme, an initiative set to provide Australian children with the education and hands-on experience they need to secure their digital future. 

Australian children are increasingly spending more time interacting online and facing mounting pressures and digital risks such as cyberbullying, identity theft, privacy breaches and exposure to illicit or unreliable content. Managing their online pathways and ensuring children are educated about online etiquette is paramount in the modern age to tackle very mature problems. The Cyber Safe Kids programme kicks off in Adelaide in February.

Simon Green, President, Japan and Asia Pacific at Palo Alto Networks said: "As Australian children spend more time online every day, Palo Alto Networks is calling on all of Australia to promote online safety in the lead up to Safer Internet Day. Cyber Safe Kids forms part of our ongoing commitment to protect our increasingly connected world from online threats that place us at risk. By working together, we can ensure cyber security education is available to every Australian, building best practices for the online world."

The Cyber Safe Kids programme consists of the Palo Alto Networks Cyber Activities in Cyber security Education for Students (A.C.E.S.) programme, educating students from ages 5 to 15 with the skills they need to protect their digital future and become good digital citizens. Cyber A.C.E.S. is part of a comprehensive effort to drive social impact through cyber security education, employee engagement, community partnerships, alignment with academic curriculum, and diversifying the future talent pipeline.

The Honourable John Gardner, MP, South Australian Minister for Education, said: “We all have a shared responsibility to ensure our children and young people are safe online. We are always keen to support initiatives such as this that raise awareness around cyber safety and help keep our kids safe.”

Working in partnership with volunteering organisation Girl Guides NSW, ACT, and NT, Palo Alto Networks has already been operating the Cyber A.C.E.S. programme in Australia with great success. This has included hosting training with cyber security experts to empower Girl Guides’ members with the skills needed to stay safe online and encourage young girls to consider the broader industry amidst a skills shortage in Australia.

Palo Alto Networks is also working to raise awareness about the importance of child safety in digital environments by working to encourage parents, guardians and educators to learn more about staying safe online. These educational opportunities promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, and ensure that the information is being passed on to where it is most crucial.

Palo Alto Networks invites Adelaide citizens to attend the Cyber Safe Kids Zone at Gawler Place in Rundle Mall to raise further awareness about the importance of child safety online. Attendees will be able to meet our cyber heroes and check out the free Cyber Safe Kids kit between Wednesday, 3 February and Saturday, 13 February 2021. Find out more at https://register.paloaltonetworks.com/cybersafekidszoneisvisitingadelaide2

About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks, the global cyber security leader, is shaping the cloud-centric future with technology that is transforming the way people and organisations operate. Our mission is to be the cyber security partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life. We help address the world's greatest security challenges with continuous innovation that seizes the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, analytics, automation, and orchestration. By delivering an integrated platform and empowering a growing ecosystem of partners, we are at the forefront of protecting tens of thousands of organisations across clouds, networks, and mobile devices. Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com. 

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