It takes a village to take care of, and protect, children. This year, RSA Conference is thinking of the kids.

The Internet offers a tremendous wealth of education opportunities, entertainment options, and communication tools for our kids. Unfortunately, the Internet also exposes kids to various dangers, including cyber-bullying, online predators, and identity theft. Children need to learn how to navigate the pitfalls of being online in order to take advantage of all the benefits. With this in mind, RSA Conference is collaborating with leading digital organizations as part of the RSAC Cyber Safety: Kids initiative. 

Organizations taking part in the RSAC Cyber Safety: Kids include San Jose's Tech Museum of Innovation, National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium's (ISC)² Foundation, CyberPatriot, HacKid, and Hacker Highschool. These organizations offer innovative programs designed to help kids make smarter and safer decisions about living in a digital world. But they need help from people with cyber-security knowledge and skills—you!

For the week of the conference, RSAC will transform Moscone West (level 2) into a Cyber Safety Village. Walk through the Village and speak with each of these partners to learn more about how you can get involved and make a difference, right in your own community. 

• The Tech Museum of Innovation exposes kids to concepts in a wide variety of fields including genetics, virtual design, robotics, and alternative energy through interactive exhibits. At the Village, you will get a sneak preview of the museum's upcoming exhibit, Cyber Detectives. 
• NCSA puts together education programs to teach people how to protect their devices, secure their data, and use the Internet safely at home, work and school.
• The (ISC)² Foundation's Safe and Secure Online program brings top cyber security professionals into the community to teach children in elementary- and middle- schools about recognizing cyber bullying, online identity and image protection, social networking safety, and computer safety.
• CyberPatriot focuses on inspiring high school and middle school students to explore careers in cyber-security or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
• HackKid is a hands-on conference for kids. Start as young as 5, and get excited about technology, gaming, mathematics, safety, privacy, networking, security and engineering.
• Hacker HighSchool uses hacking to teach teens problem-solving skills as well as on how to protect themselves from threats online.

Instead of telling the kids never to talk to strangers online, let's teach them how to recognize appropriate and inappropriate conversation. Let's learn how to use privacy controls on social media sites appropriately. Let's explain how things work so that kids are not bored with technology. Let's inspire them to learn more.

With RSAC Cyber Safety: Kids, we want to give security professionals the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of kids by helping them stay safe online. Complete the SurveyMonkey survey to show your support. Check out some of the videos about cyber safety and help spread the word. Find out how you can make a difference by visiting the Cyber Safety Village in Moscone West during the conference week. I'm in. RU?