Read about the company’s commitment to the communities we live in.

Corporate Responsibility 

Community

Giving season is in full swing here at Gen. Beginning with our “Geniversary” on November 7, the day we launched as a new company in 2022, and extending through the end of December, we spend the end of the year supporting the causes and communities that mean the most to us. Through donation campaigns, matching gift programs and more—united under the banner of #WeAreGenerous—Gen team members are fostering the spirit of giving that lies at the center of our culture.&nbsp;&nbsp;This year, our holiday giving efforts resulted in nearly $574,000 in donations to more than 1,400 nonprofit organizations, with roughly 65% of team members across the company supporting causes relating to education, human services, healthcare and more. &nbsp;<h2>Empowering Team Members to Support Worthy Causes&nbsp;</h2>Our donation campaigns allow Gen team members to maximize their support for the causes they care about. To celebrate our Geniversary, every employee across the company was given a special $50 reward to donate to the nonprofit of their choice. The campaign was run from November 7-17 through the Gen Giving Hub, an internal platform powered by Benevity that allows our teams to find volunteering, giving and educational opportunities in one easy-to-use place.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, three team members who shared the causes they supported with their colleagues were chosen at random to receive another $200 in donation rewards.&nbsp;“I read somewhere, ‘We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone,’” wrote Shirish Kondawar, a Gen team member in Pune, India, and one of the lottery winners. “Gen is playing a key role in enabling and triggering this broader action… I donated to the <a href="https://www.ghar-home.in/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sant Ishwar Foundation</a> near Pune that helps abandoned and vulnerable girls in need of care and protection, women with disabilities and the elderly.” &nbsp;The results from this campaign, which saw increases in participation rates and number of causes supported since 2023, tie into Gen’s company-wide culture of giving. Since April, the global participation rate in our overall giving and volunteering program is at more than 67%, up from 55% in 2023. Total employee giving in the current fiscal year including matching exceeds $707,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Doubling Our Impact on Giving Tuesday&nbsp;</h2>We also continued our annual tradition of matching 2:1 all team member contributions to nonprofits for Giving Tuesday on December 3. In just 24 hours, team members across the globe, as well as every member of Gen’s Leadership Team, gave to a wide variety of organizations, from local parent-teacher organizations to orchestras to the dog shelter collective <a href="https://nadeje-pro-ctyri-packy.estranky.cz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Naděje pro čtyři packy</a> (“Hope for Four Paws”), which Gen team members in Czechia supported by creating and selling the “GenoWoofers” calendar of employees’ dog photos.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Though I've always been in a position of relative privilege and comfort, I have needed and gotten a lot of help in my life, both emotional and financial, so I would like to help those who are lacking food, water, safety, justice, whatever,” wrote one Gen team member who supported multiple causes on Giving Tuesday. “I want to close the gap between what I do and how much more I could be doing. We're in this together, and all of us are better off when we help each other.”&nbsp;Ongoing efforts include donation drives at our offices in the U.S., Czechia, Ireland, India, Germany, Romania and Serbia. Each site has established donation spaces in their offices where team members can donate canned food, toys, holiday gifts and more to local organizations working on the ground in their communities. Multiple sites also offered in-person or virtual volunteer events with their partner organizations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Serving Our Communities Year-Round&nbsp;</h2>Our team members continue to keep our spirit of giving alive even after the holiday season ends. Through efforts like our Global Volunteering Week, our internal platform that connects team members with service opportunities, paid time off to volunteer and more, we provide employees with meaningful ways to put their time, skills and resources to use. Check out our latest <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Impact Report</a> for more information on how we make a difference.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gen team members end the year with company-wide donation campaigns 

Serving Our Communities This Holiday Season 

Head of Corporate Responsibility and Public Policy

In 2024, we’ve seen Gen make a positive impact on a global scale. Over the past fiscal year, we reached more than 5.3 million people with our Cyber Safety education and training efforts, and more than 55% of our team members participated in Giving@Gen programs, supporting meaningful causes with our time and expertise.&nbsp;&nbsp;In light of these achievements, we’re proud that Gen has received several distinguished honors that recognize the difference we’re able to make together, including:&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-most-responsible-companies-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies for 2025</a>&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-greatest-workplaces-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces 2024</a>&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-greatest-workplaces-parents-families-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents &amp; Families 2024</a> &nbsp;</li></ul>We also won two <a href="https://communitasawards.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communitas Awards</a> for our environmental sustainability initiatives and our work with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Gathering Insights from Experts and the Public&nbsp;</h2>Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies list for 2025 surveys 26,000 U.S. residents asking them to evaluate the country’s top 2,000 companies’ corporate citizenship reputations. Newsweek then examines the companies’ ESG programs based on more than 30 Performance Indicators. Against these criteria, Gen ranked 13th in our industry and 328th overall.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents &amp; Families is based on data from more than 250,000 employees across the United States, including 113,000 working parents, who reviewed categories such as working environment, compensation &amp; benefits, and work-life balance. On the resulting list of one thousand companies, Gen received a 4.5 rating out of 5. Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces list followed a similar methodology, interviewing more than 250,000 employees across 78 sectors, and we received a 4-star rating out of 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Protecting the Planet and Our Communities&nbsp;</h2>Gen also received two “Excellence in Corporate Responsibility” Communitas Awards in 2024. Winning in the <a href="https://enter.amcpros.com/communitas/entry/gens-partnership-with-the-world-association-of-girl-guides-and-girl-scouts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Making a Difference” category</a> was our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/surf-smart-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">partnership</a> with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which provides the tools, skills and resources that girls and young women need to stay safe online and lead healthy digital lives. Norton, one of our trusted Cyber Safety brands, provides technical support for the <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/day-of-the-girl-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surf Smart 2.0</a>, a badge earning course in digital citizenship, and Gen team members volunteered in person at this year’s Surf Smart 2.0 Program event at WAGGGS’ World Centre in Pune, India.In addition, our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/environment/seal-sustainability-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sustainability Home Improvement Program</a> (SHIP) took home the honor for <a href="https://enter.amcpros.com/communitas/entry/gens-sustainable-home-improvement-program-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Green Initiatives</a>. This benefit provides funding for Gen team members looking to make their homes more environmentally friendly. More than 29% of our global employee population participated in fiscal 2024. This led to the funding of more than 1,000 home sustainability projects, such as home solar systems, appliance upgrades, home gardens and more.&nbsp;For more information about how we Power Digital Freedom, check out our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 Social Impact Report</a>.

Gen honored by Newsweek and Communitas

Gen Receives Top Awards for its Efforts to Power Digital Freedom

Our culture of giving is a fundamental part of the way we operate at Gen. No matter where they are in the world, our team members come together for the shared purpose of making a positive impact in their local communities. This spirit of service is especially apparent at our offices in Czechia.&nbsp; &nbsp;In addition to partnerships with organizations like <a href="https://www.eduzmena.cz/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eduzměna</a>, which works to expand access to quality education in the country, Avast products are discounted for nonprofits in need. We also maintain thriving volunteer programs, connecting team members with service opportunities both in and out of the office.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h2>Advancing Quality Education&nbsp;</h2>The education system in Czechia faces several challenges. In 2023, the Czech School Inspectorate <a href="https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/czech-school-inspection-pupils-aren-t-being-challenged-enough" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">found</a> that its primary schools consistently fail to engage their students, and a 2024 <a href="https://brnodaily.com/2024/10/17/news/over-13-of-czech-primary-school-teachers-want-to-quit-their-jobs-says-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> from the SYRI National Institute reported that 13% of teachers in Czechia want to leave the profession. Eduzměna is working to change that, and Gen is one of its major backers.&nbsp;&nbsp;The organization aims to create Education Support Centres (ESC) across the country that will improve students’ educational results and standardize the quality of education that is available to them. The first ESC is due to open in 2025 as a pilot project in Kutná Hora, which will engage students, families, principals, teachers and school founders at nearly 60 schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;Eduzměna works directly with schools to provide activities for students, professional development for teachers and strategic support for administrators. The organization also establishes a communication network across the region, facilitating effective coordination between schools, as well as best practice sharing. Following the successful implementation of the ESC in Kutná Hora, Eduzměna plans to scale these plans across four additional regions in the coming years: České Budějovice, Turnovsko, Přešticko-Blovicko and Šumpersko-Zábřežsko.&nbsp;<h2>Serving Those in Need&nbsp;</h2>Further initiatives allow team members to make direct contributions to the wellbeing of their communities, often with additional support from Gen. Recent examples are listed below.&nbsp;<ul><li>Employees can mentor women in the early stages of their cybersecurity careers through our partnership with <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/cybersecurity-awareness-month-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Czechitas</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>Our Prague office hosts an ongoing clothing donation campaign to support local charities.&nbsp;</li><li>Our Halloween donation campaign (with 1:1 matching from Gen) aids <a href="https://www.sos-usa.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SOS Children’s Villages</a>, which cares for orphaned and vulnerable children.&nbsp;</li><li>Employees can use the Gen Giving Hub to purchase holiday gifts for children and seniors in need through <a href="https://www.stromsplnenychprani.cz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Strom splněných přání</a> (Wishing Tree) and <a href="https://jeziskovavnoucata.rozhlas.cz/p/brzy-opet-spustime" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ježíškova vnoučata</a>, respectively.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Additionally, Avast, one of our trusted Cyber Safety brands, collaborates with <a href="https://www.techsoup.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tech Soup</a> to offer Avast Business CloudCare products at a significant discount to nonprofits across Czechia to protect against all forms of malware and other cyberthreats.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Strengthening Our Culture of Giving&nbsp;</h2>This dedication to service among our team members in Czechia is part of a larger culture of giving that thrives throughout our company. In fiscal 2024, more than 500 Gen team members participated in our first ever <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/volunteer-week-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Volunteer Week</a>, and 55% of our workforce used the Gen Giving Hub, powered by Benevity, either to volunteer or donate to a cause, exceeding Benevity’s industry benchmark. For more on our volunteering and giving programs, check out our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 Social Impact Report</a>.

Gen team members support their communities through partnerships, volunteering and discounted products

Our Culture of Giving in Czechia

Senior Internal Auditor

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have served as essential resources for Black Americans for nearly 200 years. Since the early 19th century, they have provided education, community and upward mobility opportunities for Black students. Today, <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4651053" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> show that they continue to out-perform peer institutions in terms of degree completion and household income at age 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;At Gen, we’re proud to play a part in this legacy of setting students up for success. We’ve spent 2024 collaborating with <a href="https://www.hbcuheroes.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HBCU Heroes</a>, an organization working to empower HBCU students to compete in corporate America, the tech sector, entertainment, and beyond. In addition to a $20,000 donation, Gen team members mentor HBCU students directly, equipping them with the professional skills they need to excel in their careers after graduation. The inaugural cohort met for the fourth and final time via virtual group meeting on October 22.&nbsp;&nbsp;Building Skills Through Mentorship&nbsp;Over the past year, Gen team members have worked 1:1 with students at HBCUs, including Tennessee State University, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina A&amp; T State University and more. Through quarterly meetups, they discuss specific topics related to the students’ career goals, as well as general professional skills such as resume building, interviewing and using LinkedIn as a networking tool. These virtual meetings involve discussions with the larger group of mentors and mentees, as well as individual conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Personally, it's been great to give back in a way that I needed when I was a student. I remember being in college struggling to figure out how to set myself apart in interviews or on LinkedIn and wishing more corporate workers that looked like me would share how they did it. We have had the opportunity to meet really talented students with great potential, and I can’t wait to hear more on their journeys.Feedback from student participants was similarly positive. They cited not only specific insights they gained as a result of conversations with Gen team members but also the importance of representation. &nbsp;“This experience was invaluable,” said Cheyenne Dew, a student at Prairie View A&amp;M University in Texas. “I gained insight on what navigating the corporate world looks like, and I loved how different but helpful each mentor’s advice was... And it was refreshing to see the people who are in the positions we students are striving to be in.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Expanding Mentorship Throughout Our Industry&nbsp;Visit.org was a key collaborator in executing this partnership. In general, mentorship has long been a hallmark of our Social Impact program at Gen. In addition to <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/life-gen/learn-gen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our talent development efforts</a>, which include mentorship and internship programs, our Cyber Safety education and training programs are founded on the belief that dedicated mentorship can advance technical literacy and move our industry forward. We recently <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/tech-gendergap" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pledged</a> to support Women4Cyber’s mentorship program to help close the gender gap in Europe’s tech sector, and our Corporate Responsibility intern has <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/intern-spotlight-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shared</a> reflections on how she’s grown as a professional at Gen.&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information on our investments in future generations of Cyber Safety professionals, read our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 Social Impact Report</a>. These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Mentoring students through partnership with HBCU Heroes 

Preparing College Students for the Professional World 

Technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that it can feel difficult to keep up with how to stay safe online. As we discussed in our most recent <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/news/innovation/q2-2024-threat-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Threat Report</a>, the threat landscape is accelerating quickly. But it’s important to remember that there are simple, effective ways to reduce our exposure to digital dangers and make our time online more secure. That’s what this year’s <a href="https://staysafeonline.org/programs/cybersecurity-awareness-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cybersecurity Awareness Month</a> is all about.&nbsp;&nbsp;Every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month educates people all over the world about online safety and empowers them to protect their data from cybercrime. Companies, nonprofits, government agencies and more come together to raise awareness of common and emerging cyber threats, as well as the steps we can take to keep our personal information out of harm’s way.&nbsp; &nbsp;Simple Steps to ‘Secure Our World’&nbsp;This year’s theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month is “Secure Our World,” focusing on the top four ways to protect yourself, your family and your business from online threats. These include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Using strong passwords and a password manager&nbsp;</li><li>Turning on multi-factor authentication&nbsp;</li><li>Recognizing and reporting phishing&nbsp;</li><li>Updating software&nbsp;</li></ul>Password security is also about more than choosing the right combination of letters and numbers. Petra Dlabalová is an alum of one of the training programs at <a href="https://www.czechitas.cz/en-2/courses" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Czechitas</a>, an organization helping women in Czechia build digital skills and transition into the tech industry. Petra reminds us that threats to our passwords can emerge in the physical world, as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To learn more about how to protect yourself, your family and your business online this Cybersecurity Awareness Month, check out blog posts on <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/what-is-2fa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two-factor authentication</a>, <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/what-is-phishing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spotting phishing</a>, <a href="https://lifelock.norton.com/learn/identity-theft-resources/how-to-prevent-identity-theft" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">identity theft</a> and <a href="https://blog.avast.com/your-data-is-under-siege.-heres-how-to-win-the-war" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data privacy</a> from Norton, LifeLock and Avast three of our trusted Cyber Safety brands. &nbsp;Diversifying the Cybersecurity Workforce&nbsp;One of the ways we make sure that Cyber Safety skills are in the hands of as many people as possible is by promoting women in tech. Czechitas is just one example of the leading global nonprofits we partner with to expand Cyber Safety education. We also work closely with <a href="https://women4cyber.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women4Cyber</a>, with whom we recently <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/tech-gendergap" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pledged</a> to help close the gender gap in Europe’s cybersecurity industry through extended support of their mentoring programs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nikola Groverová, Senior Data Scientist, recently joined a panel on AI at the second annual <a href="https://women4cyber.eu/conference-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women4Cyber Conference</a> at the Louwman Museum in The Hague, a prominent hub for cybersecurity expertise. &nbsp;

We also partner year-round with <a href="https://www.nasscomfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nasscom foundation</a>, an organization doing similar work across India, including in <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/india-impact-women-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rural communities</a>. We recently heard from Chandana and Meghna Nerella, twin sisters who completed nasscom foundation’s Upskilling Women Engineers in Cybersecurity program, supported by Gen. They spoke about not only the impact of the program but also the core themes of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The Cybersecurity Program has been a turning point for both of us,” they said.&nbsp;

For more information on our Cyber Safety education and training efforts, read our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 Social Impact Report</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gen celebrates Cybersecurity Awareness Month with Czechitas, Women4Cyber and nasscom foundation 

Securing Our World by Empowering Women in Tech 

Corporate Responsibility Manager

Technology abuse is an increasingly common part of domestic violence. Many abusers use technology like <a href="https://www.kaspersky.com/about/press-releases/2023_digital-violence-through-stalkerware-showing-little-sign-of-slowing-according-to-new-kaspersky-report">stalkerware</a> to track their partners’ device activity, location and movements, email and online messages, and browsing histories. Intimate partner violence often involves financial abuse, in which abusers steal their partner’s identity, improperly access online accounts or ruin their credit scores. There is a critical need to ensure survivors and advocates understand tech-facilitated abuse, its impact and how to identify it. They also need digital tools that can help.&nbsp;

<h3>Providing Free Products to Domestic Violence Survivors&nbsp;</h3>Our product donation initiative is dedicated to providing survivors with the information and tools to help them lead their online lives safely and confidently.&nbsp;Through this unique program, Norton, a part of Gen, is donating up to 5,000 free product licenses to survivors of domestic violence to help them recover from financial or technological abuse. These licenses will be distributed by eligible organizations that are members of the Safe Shelter Collaborative and TechSoup will help facilitate the donations, for which organizations can <a href="https://page.techsoup.org/2023-domestic-violence-survivor-support?hs_preview=zzrhKfSe-132649155171">apply online</a>.&nbsp;

Norton 360 Deluxe, one of the products offered through the new donation program, can prevent activity or location tracking, information theft, installation of malicious programs and uninvited changes to devices. We are also offering Norton Secure VPN as a standalone product, which protects a person’s online privacy by hiding the computer’s address from websites visited from any device. Eligible organizations may request up to 100 licenses of each product, which then must be distributed to survivors of domestic abuse.&nbsp;The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is another nonprofit partner of ours – which represents the 56 U.S. state and territorial domestic violence coalitions, who in turn represent more than 2,000 local programs and the millions of survivors they serve annually – also collaborated on the new pilot program. &nbsp;<h3>Learning Good Cyber Hygiene&nbsp;</h3>According to Armin Waiscek, Senior Research Manager at Gen, good cyber hygiene is diligence, care and human judgment, and it’s an important part of an online safety plan. “Security software is extremely important, as is education on Cyber Safety awareness. This involves day-to-day vigilance and learning how to spot the signs that someone has access to, or is trying to access your online accounts, devices or location.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Waiscek offered tips on how important cyber hygiene is to domestic violence survivors. “Through our work with NNEDV, we have learned survivors often need help to secure their digital assets, remove or stop using shared accounts, and create accounts on clean devices that haven’t been accessed by their abusers,” he said.Here are a few suggestions to improve cyber hygiene:<ul><li>Create a list of all platforms, systems and devices that are in use.</li><li>Change passwords to all accounts or create new accounts.</li><li>Update any online accounts that are accessible through Facebook, Google, Twitter, or Apple ID log-ins.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Use unique passwords that exclude personally identifiable information (i.e., birthdays, names, pet names, etc.).</li><li>Utilize a (new) <a href="https://my.norton.com/extspa/passwordmanager">password manager</a> to track passwords and to create strong, unique passwords</li></ul><h3>Maximizing Our Social Impact &nbsp;</h3>This pilot program exemplifies our continued large-scale effort to align our volunteering, giving and product donation programs for maximum impact. In addition to this program, we have provided training and technical assistance to NNEDV for years. We also announced a $100,000 grant each year (2022-2024) to NNEDV to support the organization’s <a href="https://nnedv.org/content/technology-safety/">Safety Net</a> technology abuse response initiative, as well as its <a href="https://nnedv.org/about-dv/dv-economic-justice/">Economic Justice</a> program. We are also a founding member of the <a href="https://stopstalkerware.org/">Coalition Against Stalkerware</a>, which was formed to help keep malicious technology like stalkerware and creepware out of the hands of abusers.&nbsp;To learn more, visit the new donation program <a href="https://page.techsoup.org/2023-domestic-violence-survivor-support?hs_preview=zzrhKfSe-132649155171">landing page</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Norton donates 5,000 licenses to help protect survivors of domestic abuse

Product Donation Program Supports Domestic Violence Survivors

Corporate Communications Intern

From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the history and culture of the United States.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long commemoration in 1968.&nbsp; By 1988, the celebration was extended to 30 days.&nbsp;At Gen, we proudly recognize the significance the Hispanic community has made on our community. HOLA, which stands for Hispanic and Latino Outreach, Leadership and Advancement, serves as a support network at Gen to drive awareness of Hispanic and Latino contributions. HOLA fosters a supportive environment where people are empowered to thrive professionally, personally and within their communities through events and networking opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting Genovators and HOLA Co-Champions Brittany Gutierrez, Senior Benefits Analyst, and Iskander Sanchez-Rola, Director of Innovation.Enjoy reading a piece of their stories and why they see HOLA as so crucial.&nbsp;&nbsp;Q – Why did you decide to become Co-Champion of HOLA?&nbsp;Brittany: I've been a co-champion for 4 years now. I went for it just because I co-led a resource group at a previous employer, and loved how it built a community and established a lot of connections. Because I moved from California to Arizona, I was looking for a sense of home, and I wasn't getting a lot of that. It was like an escape creating a family away from home.&nbsp;&nbsp;Q – How has being a part of HOLA impacted your experience at Gen?&nbsp;Iskander: Cultural awareness promotes diversity and inclusion. This can lead to more innovation and a supportive work environment, which I think is extremely important for a company like Gen. It helps team members understand and appreciate different perspectives, fostering collaboration and mutual respect.&nbsp;&nbsp;Q – How can people honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?&nbsp;Brittany: There are all kinds of ways to just immerse yourself around this time, and at the same time learn what the celebration is about and why we can't forget all the contributions Hispanics Latinos have made over the years. There are movies playing. There are shows playing. So, be on the lookout. Basically, it's not just a matter of going to eat at a Mexican restaurant. It's more than that.&nbsp;Iskander: There are many things that you can do that can help the community. For example, participating in cultural events in your state or supporting Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses around. Also, learning and teaching other people about the community and the stories is important. Last year, during Heritage month we discussed Hispanic/Latino names that changed history. We are talking about scientists or astronauts like Luis Alvarez and Ellen Ochoa. Hispanic/Latinos changed the world, and we are still changing it right now.&nbsp;&nbsp;Q – Is there anything else you want people to know about HOLA or Hispanic Heritage Month?&nbsp;Iskander: I think it is important to open and include everyone. We welcome absolutely everyone that will help, and we would not be anything without our allies. &nbsp;&nbsp;Join us in applauding Brittany and Iskander for their contributions to the Hispanic and Latino community. We can draw inspiration from their stories to foster thoughtfulness and enrich our own lives by embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences.&nbsp;&nbsp;Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month <a href="https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Highlighting HOLA Champions at Gen 

Gen Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

At Gen, we believe Cyber Safety and Social Impact share a common goal. They’re both about making the world a safer, more sustainable and ultimately freer place for everyone. As these two fields continue to grow and change, we were thrilled to have insight from the next generation of social impact professionals through our summer internship program.&nbsp; &nbsp;Our summer interns work at the intersection of where Social Impact and cybersecurity meet: leading research projects, contributing to our social impact report, organizing volunteer events, attending professional development workshops and so much more.&nbsp;&nbsp;This year was no different. Jaclyn Reynolds, our Corporate Responsibility intern and a newly minted graduate of Arizona State University’s Sustainable Solutions Master’s program, has spent the last several months working on a host of Social Impact projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;To hear more about her experience, we asked Jaclyn about some of the highlights from her summer, what social impact means to her, and how her work with Gen will fit into her growing career.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Before we get into some of the specific work you’ve done this summer, can you tell us why you wanted to pursue an internship in Social Impact and what drew you to Gen’s work in powering digital freedom?&nbsp;JR: First of all, on a personal level, Social Impact emphasizes all of the areas I have a passion for: community engagement, environmentalism, inclusive workplaces, and so on. I was eager to gain experience in ESG reporting, developing strategies to minimize impact, and analyzing the data that informs these efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Second, cybersecurity intersects with Social Impact in very deep ways. I think about it as having two sides: On the one hand, as our world becomes more and more online, it becomes more important to safeguard the institutions that power our societies. Nonprofits and government systems increasingly run on digital tools, and protecting them is critical for serving our communities and for building trust.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s also about empowering individuals to keep themselves safe. Gen does a lot of work educating young people and vulnerable populations on Cyber Safety, and I’ve gotten to see firsthand how those programs advance equality.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What were some of the projects you worked on? And what were some of your favorite moments from the summer?&nbsp;JR: Working on the Social Impact Report was a great way to work in a lot of different areas. I looked at company data on emissions, as well as social impacts and governance as we prepared for the report and CDP. I also organized volunteer events for me and the other Gen interns: one virtual, one in Mountain View and one in Tempe. In Mountain View, we worked with <a href="https://www.shfb.org/">Second Harvest of Silicon Valley</a> to provide nutritious food to people in the community facing hunger. The Tempe event was with <a href="https://projectcure.org/">Project C.U.R.E.</a>, where the interns sorted donated medical supplies to be shipped to countries in the third world. I loved getting to see how these events created not only a positive impact on local communities but also on the company culture. &nbsp;It was also wonderful to meet and work with so many other great interns!&nbsp;To hear from a few of our other interns, check out the video below.

Finally, what does social impact mean to you outside of work? Are you involved with any causes or volunteer activities?&nbsp;&nbsp;JR: I view sustainability as more than just a career—it’s a way of life. I’ve volunteered with <a href="https://tucsoncleanandbeautiful.org/trees-for-tucson/">Trees for Tucson</a>, where I helped plant trees in low-income communities, contributing to the creation of sustainable, welcoming environments. I also advocate for climate action by regularly writing letters to policymakers. Social impact really resonates with me, and I plan to continue to work on it, whether through enhancing my surroundings or creating meaningful connections.&nbsp;Although our summer internships are coming to an end, Gen is always looking for passionate and purpose-driven people. Visit our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/life-gen/">Careers page</a> to learn more about how you can grow your career, help power Digital Freedom, and have a positive impact on the world around us.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Summer intern sees how Cyber Safety and social impact are interlinked

Spending the Summer in Corporate Responsibility 

If there’s one thing that parents, caregivers and teachers can likely agree on, it’s that students spend a lot of time online. Social media and gaming apps give young people new ways to connect, create and play, but they also come with their fair share of risks. And in a threat landscape that’s constantly evolving, it’s important for students to know what to look out for as they begin to navigate the digital world on their own.&nbsp;&nbsp;At Gen, we’re doing our part to empower young people with the Cyber Safety skills they need to conduct their digital lives securely and confidently. One of the ways we do this is through <a href="https://mydigitallife.discoveryeducation.com/">My Digital Life</a>, which provides educators with lesson plans, videos and interactive tools aligned to learning standards and meant to address common issues young people face online, from cyberbullying and privacy risks to misinformation and scams.&nbsp;&nbsp;The program is the result of a partnership between Norton, one of Gen’s trusted Cyber Safety brands, and <a href="https://www.discoveryeducation.com/">Discovery Education</a>, a worldwide leader in education technology. Together with the <a href="https://naaweb.org/">National Afterschool Foundation</a>, we launched My Digital Life in September 2023. As the program celebrates its first anniversary, we’re thrilled to share some of the highlights from its inaugural year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Building Students’ Cyber Safety Skills&nbsp;Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, My Digital Life reached more than 214,000 students in 1,100 school districts across 49 states, far surpassing the program’s initial goal to reach 100,000. 63% of these students were from Title I schools, which are districts allocated federal funds for educational programs and services that close achievement gaps. 70% were from underrepresented ethnic/racial backgrounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Knowing that so many of my students interact online even at the elementary level, these resources offer great ways for us to have discussions about how to stay safe and friendly when conversing and playing games online,” one teacher said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Equipping Educators with Cutting-Edge Tools&nbsp;Getting these resources into educators’ hands remains one of the program’s top priorities. Through the combination of its dedicated website, placement on <a href="https://www.discoveryeducation.com/solutions/experience/">Discovery Education Experience</a>, the company’s award-winning K-12 learning platform, and outreach campaigns to educators on social media, we make sure teachers are aware of the numerous free, ready-to-use tools that are at their fingertips.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We don’t have a dedicated technology class anymore, so digital citizenship largely falls on the subject teachers,” said one school administrator. “The Educator resources lay everything out for them, so they don’t have to do a lot of legwork to give great lessons!”&nbsp;&nbsp;Forecasting the Program’s Future&nbsp;In its second year, My Digital Life plans to launch in multiple new languages, greatly expanding the program’s reach both within the United States and internationally. In addition, Gen employees will volunteer as part of Discovery Education’s <a href="https://www.discoveryeducation.com/education-partnerships/career-connect/">Career Connect</a>, through which they’ll speak directly with the classrooms where My Digital Life is used and discuss the wider technology industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;For more on how we provide Cyber Safety education and training, check out our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/">2024 Social Impact Report</a>. These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. &nbsp;

Norton and Discovery Education reach 214,000 students through My Digital Life

Helping Educators Bring Cyber Safety into the Classroom

Sr. Manager, CR and Environment

Young people all over the world are vulnerable to cybercrime. A recent <a href="https://www.dqinstitute.org/news-post/child-online-safety-index-reveals-a-persistent-cyber-pandemic/">study</a> from the DQ Institute found that an estimated 70% of children and adolescents globally were exposed to cyber risk at some point during 2023, and the overall rate of cybercrime is expected to <a href="https://www.statista.com/chart/28878/expected-cost-of-cybercrime-until-2027/">rise</a> in the coming years.&nbsp; &nbsp;India is no exception. The National Crime Records Bureau <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/child-cyber-crime-surges-32-reveals-ncrb-data-underlining-vulnerability-to-online-risks/articleshow/107168056.cms">found</a> that child cybercrime in the country has risen 32% in just one year, and young people often demonstrate <a href="https://www.socialmediamatters.in/patterns-of-internet-usage-among-youths-in-india">low awareness</a> of the importance of data privacy and internet safety.&nbsp; &nbsp;We know this is an area where Gen can help. Through Norton, one of our trusted Cyber Safety brands, and its partnership with <a href="https://balrakshabharat.org/">Bal Raksha Bharat</a> (BRB), also known as Save the Children - India, we were able to reach more than 10,000 young people, parents, family members and educators with Cyber Safety skills training between March 2023 and April 2024. These skills will not only help children stay safe online but also build lasting, healthy digital habits.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Empowering Educators to Teach Cyber Safety&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;At 40 schools in Pune, Maharashtra, and Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, BBR staffers trained schoolteachers on bespoke Cyber Safety learning modules that Norton helped develop. The two modules—one for students between the ages of 10 and 12, another for ages 13 to 16—covered the basics of threats that young people are likely to face online, from phishing attacks to identity theft to scams. Teachers then delivered these lessons to students and community members.&nbsp;&nbsp;In total, the effort reached more than 10,000 people across these school communities, including:&nbsp;<ul><li>8,300 children (surpassing an initial target of 6,060),&nbsp;</li><li>1,210 parents,&nbsp;</li><li>635 SMC members (a parent and teacher organization), and&nbsp;</li><li>275 teachers (surpassing the target of 220).&nbsp;</li></ul>BRB also conducted a post-training assessment, which demonstrated an 81% increase in participants’ overall Cyber Safety knowledge.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Driving Community Awareness &nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>Cybercrime can affect anyone at any age. The lessons shared in these modules are relevant not only to people across these school communities but also to India at large.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To spread the word, BRB led several digital and on-the-ground activations that raised awareness of the dangers of cybercrime and how to stay Cyber Safe. These included small group meetings, voice calls and SMS messaging throughout the villages in Pune and Thiruvallur where the trainings took place. BRB also hosted workshops on cybercrime for law enforcement officials in these communities, with more planned in 2024. These efforts reached nearly 207,000 people indirectly.&nbsp;&nbsp;The organization also promoted a cybercrime reporting helpline, as well as information about various online risks, on social media. Building on BRB’s existing partnership with <a href="https://yuvaa.co.in/">Yuvaa</a> and their #BeDigiSmart campaign, the campaign’s content saw engagement from nearly 263,000 people.&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information on how we provide Cyber Safety education and training, check out our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/">2024 Social Impact Report</a>. This grant was awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.&nbsp;

Norton and Save the Children reach more than 10,000 students, parents and educators

Strengthening Cyber Safety Skills for Children in India

A core belief in our ability to make the world a better, safer place is at the heart of everything we do at Gen. &nbsp;We’re committed to making a meaningful impact through strategic partnerships and hands-on initiatives. That’s why approximately 60% of the funding from the Gen Foundation (a corporate-advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation) is dedicated specifically to advancing Cyber Safety education and training. And empowering children all over the world is our primary focus. We engage with local communities and educate kids —one of the most vulnerable and digital generations ever.&nbsp;&nbsp;Recently, our Japanese marketing team, led by Risa Sakurai and Hiroshi Furuya, presented to 150 elementary school students in Tokyo. The session aimed to educate them all about Social Networking Services (SNS) scams and promote safe online practices as their lives become more and more digital.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

“Empowering the next generation with the skills to navigate the digital world safely is crucial. Our recent presentation in Tokyo was a step towards ensuring that children understand the risks of SNS scams and how to protect themselves online,” said Risa Sakurai, GTM Marketing Specialist at Gen.&nbsp;The focus on SNS scams and digital safety was chosen because these platforms are commonly used by young people to communicate and share content. With the rise of digital interactions, children are particularly vulnerable to online scams, cyberbullying and privacy breaches. The kids were very engaged, asking questions, such as:&nbsp;<ul><li>When using a social networking site, what personal info is acceptable or not acceptable to put on the site?&nbsp;</li><li>What to do if they receive unwanted or inappropriate content?&nbsp;</li><li>How to set up privacy settings on their social media accounts?&nbsp;</li><li>How to recognize phishing attempts or suspicious messages?&nbsp;</li><li>If they get into trouble, how and whom should they talk to?&nbsp;</li></ul>The experience highlighted the importance of early education in digital safety and demonstrated the effectiveness of interactive and age-appropriate teaching methods. &nbsp;&nbsp;As we dive into the back-to-school season, we also want to spotlight some other focused Cyber Safety education impacts we’ve helped champion:&nbsp;&nbsp;Discovery Education&nbsp;<a href="https://www.discoveryeducation.com/">Discovery Ed</a> partners with educators to enhance digital safety through a multi-language platform called My Digital Life, co-branded with Norton. Launched in 2023, this comprehensive website provides teachers, students and parents with essential tools and resources to navigate the online world safely. The impact has been significant. From September to December 2023, My Digital Life reached over 102,000 students across 47 states and 712 school districts, including 62% Title I schools. Read more about our work with Discovery Ed <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/safer-internet-day-2024">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;WAGGGS - World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts&nbsp;Norton and WAGGGS have teamed up for over a decade, most recently launching <a href="https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/surf-smart-20/">Surf Smart 2.0</a>, an initiative designed to empower young women and girls with the tools they need to stay safe online. Surf Smart focuses on helping them recognize and address any feelings of insecurity, especially in relationships, and provides actionable steps to enhance their Cyber Safety. From April 2023 to April 2024, the program reached over 42,000 girls and young women. Read more about Gen’s involvement with Surf Smart . here.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Trevor Project&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/">The Trevor Project</a> is dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth who are facing challenges such as suicidal thoughts and crises. Gen has recently collaborated with this initiative to provide essential tools and resources focused on online safety. We have helped build a <a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/online-safety-for-lgbtq-young-people/">Guide to Online Safety for LGBTQ+ Young People</a>, equipping young people with strategies to protect themselves online and offering guidance on how to combat and prevent online bullying.&nbsp;&nbsp;Moving Forward&nbsp;Last year alone, we reached 5.3 million people with Cyber Safety awareness and training. But there is always more work to be done.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We will continue to expand our outreach and collaborate with initiatives at Gen to ensure that everyone has the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe online,” said Kim Allman, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Public Policy at Gen.&nbsp;Through key initiatives and partnerships, we can help build a more secure digital world for all.&nbsp;

A Commitment to Cyber Safety and Global Partnerships Providing Education to Kids Worldwide

Empowering the Next Generation for a Safer Digital World 

As families around the world gear up for another school year, many parents and caregivers are concerned about helping their kids stay safe online. <a href="https://www.bcg.com/publications/2022/why-children-are-unsafe-in-cyberspace">Research</a> shows that 93% of young people from ages eight to 17 use the internet, and 72% have been victims of cyber threats, including scams, phishing, exposure to inappropriate content and more.With children increasingly using digital tools for their education, families can work together to keep that time online safe and secure. That’s why Norton, one of Gen’s trusted Cyber Safety brands, teamed up with <a href="https://www.pta.org/">National PTA</a> to create <a href="https://thesmarttalk.org/">The Smart Talk</a>, a free resource that helps families have open, positive and ongoing conversations about digital safety and online privacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Smart Talk uses guided questions about Cyber Safety best practices—from social media and cyberbullying to using and downloading apps—to help families begin and continue these conversations. Over the past year, we continued to reach families all over the U.S. with these resources.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Leading The Smart Talk at U.S. Schools&nbsp;</h2>In addition to making the platform freely available online, we provide National PTA with funding for local PTAs to host The Smart Talk Conversations for their school communities. In the 2023-2024 school year, Norton’s support allowed 40 local PTAs to produce these events, 58% of which took place in Title I schools (schools where many families live below the poverty line).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“The Smart Talk [helped bring] awareness to our families that healthily social media and internet safety is more than just a password,” said one grantee. “This program opened heartfelt, honest conversations and set plans in place to protect one another in an increasingly cyber world.” &nbsp;National PTA estimates that The Smart Talk Conversations reached more than 3,500 students and family members between April 2023 and February 2024 through a mix of in-person and virtual events.&nbsp;

<h2>Reaching a Growing Audience&nbsp;</h2>The Smart Talk is available year-round to kids and families looking to navigate the digital world safely. National PTA engages its network of state and local PTAs to raise awareness of the tool and grow its user base. TheSmartTalk.org has grown to more than 12,000 users, and National PTA’s engagement efforts kept the platform top of mind in many school communities. Campaigns such as #HowWePTA and Safer Internet Day, as well as other activations, garnered more than 162,500 impressions across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. National PTA also delivered 29 e-newsletters across a 750K subscriber base that included information on The Smart Talk.&nbsp;<h2>Providing Tools for Cyber Safety&nbsp;</h2>This collaboration is a key component of our broader efforts to provide youth, educators, families and vulnerable people with the Cyber Safety skills they need to navigate their digital lives safely and with more confidence. In addition to our Cyber Safety partnerships, products like <a href="https://us.norton.com/products/norton-360-deluxe">Norton 360</a>, which has device security, real-time threat protection, <a href="https://us.norton.com/feature/parental-control">Parental Control</a> and more, help us meet our vision to power digital freedom.&nbsp;For more on how we provide Cyber Safety education and training, check out our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/">2024 Social Impact Report</a>. These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.&nbsp;