Smart & Safe: skills-based volunteering through Claudia Zambella’s experience
What does it mean to work every day to protect data, infrastructure and digital systems? And how can we explain cybersecurity to young people, turning a complex topic into an opportunity for discussion and personal growth?
Through Smart & Safe, the skills-based volunteering programme run as part of Ital.IA Lab for School, over 160 Microsoft professionals visit schools to share their experiences, expertise and tools to help students engage with the digital world more safely and responsibly.
Following the first session at the Fabio Besta Institute in Milan, we spoke to Claudia Zambella, a Security Consultant at Microsoft. In the interview, she explains what she has learnt from engaging with the students, why she believes in the value of skills-based volunteering, and what role companies can play in promoting a culture of digital security, both inside and outside school.
“I’ve always enjoyed having the chance to meet younger people with whom I can share my experience. In the past, meeting people who had already gained a few years’ experience in the world of work was fundamental and inspiring for me. I hope that, in some way, I too can offer some food for thought to young people who will soon be facing choices that will shape their future.” As part of the Smart&Safe programme within the Ital.IA Lab for School project, Claudia spoke about cybersecurity, a topic she deals with on a daily basis in her work.
“The experience with the pupils was wonderful and enjoyable (contrary to my expectations). I was worried I’d struggle to get them to listen or to hold their attention in class, but it turned out to be much easier than I’d anticipated. I found myself facing pupils who were extremely keen to learn what we discussed in class, yet at the same time, far more aware than I’d expected of the threats they face every day in the digital world. They also asked lots of questions so they could actually understand how to implement the mitigation measures I suggested to them during the session”.
There was no sense that the pupils were overconfident about the subject: “I don’t think they overestimate their knowledge of technology. Rather, as is often the case in youth, I believe they might have a very low aversion to risk or simply be more daring. I must also acknowledge that, compared to adults, they manage to use social media in a much more informed way and, once they become aware of the threats they face, they’re also keen to understand how to try and protect themselves.” The presentation was so interactive and engaging on the initial topics that there were few questions about career prospects. However, in the limited time available, some did express an interest in career prospects and seemed keen to explore the subject further.
If only we’d had more time! “Volunteering remains an important experience, but even when organised by the company (as in this case), it remains almost entirely a personal endeavour. An employee who decides to commit to such an experience does so entirely at their own ‘expense’; indeed, when an employee engages in voluntary work, their work deadlines remain, and it is their responsibility to manage their time so as to carry out the voluntary work without compromising the quality of their job. Despite this, I believe it is still important for companies to take steps to promote this sort of experience, first and foremost because they serve as tangible evidence of the commitment they often champion in the field of corporate social responsibility, and also because their involvement makes it easier for employees to find out about these opportunities.
Finally, I believe that these experiences can also be enriching for the companies themselves, as today’s socially conscious young people may well become their employees tomorrow”.
Interview by Onelia Onorati, press office of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale.
