Senior Manager

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

Community

Scams have become one of the most complex challenges of the digital age. They move across texts, emails, phone calls, social media and financial accounts—often within minutes. Beyond compromising personal information, they can have lasting financial consequences for individuals and families. Helping people live safer digital lives also means helping protect their financial well-being. Protecting people from scams requires a different approach. One built on stronger partnerships, shared intelligence and a collective commitment to stay ahead of evolving threats.&nbsp;That’s why Gen has joined the <a href="https://www.staysafeonline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Cybersecurity Alliance</a> as well as the <a href="https://scamprevention.aspeninstitute.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leadership Group on Scam Prevention</a>, a new effort from the<a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/financial-security-program/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Aspen Institute Financial Security Program</a>. We’re working alongside organizations including Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft and JPMorganChase to advance practical solutions that help people stay safer online and strengthen their financial security by responding to evolving threats. The goal is straightforward: help more people stay protected from scams.&nbsp;Stronger together&nbsp;Scams don't distinguish between banks, technology companies, telecommunication providers or retailers. Our response can’t either.&nbsp;Through the Leadership Group, Gen will contribute threat intelligence, consumer research and cybersecurity expertise while working alongside industry leaders to strengthen scam prevention, improve information sharing and identify practical ways to protect consumers. Together, we will explore how better data, stronger partnerships and more coordinated action can help stay ahead of rapidly changing scam tactics.&nbsp;&nbsp;Iskander Sanchez-Rola, our Senior Director of AI &amp; Innovation, recently joined the board of the <a href="https://www.staysafeonline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA)</a>. The organization hosts annual public campaigns like Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Data Privacy Week, as well as regular working groups that convene cybersecurity leaders across industries to tackle the most pressing issues facing digital life today. These efforts enable Gen to forge partnerships and work cooperatively on solutions that help people stay safer and more confident in an increasingly connected world. &nbsp;&nbsp;Digital and financial life are closely linked. By joining together with our peers in FinTech and cybersecurity, we’re working to make digital and financial safety accessible, practical and empowering for everyone. &nbsp;Building on existing partnerships&nbsp;Joining NCA and the Aspen Leadership Group builds on work already happening across Gen to strengthen consumer protection through collaboration. &nbsp;Earlier this year, Gen sponsored the Aspen Institute’s <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/2026-leadership-forum-on-inclusive-finance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leadership Forum on Inclusive Finance</a> where business leaders, nonprofit organizations and policymakers explored emerging challenges shaping financial security—from AI to prediction markets and affordability—and the partnerships needed to address them. &nbsp;One message came clear throughout: scams and fraud are no longer separate from financial health. Protecting people’s identities, finances and confidence online is essential to helping them build long-term financial resilience.&nbsp;We also continue our work as a Foundation Member of the<a href="https://gasa.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Global Anti-Scam Alliance</a>, collaborating with governments, consumer protection organizations, financial institutions, technology companies and cybersecurity peers to share insights, advance policy discussions and strengthen global responses to online scams.&nbsp;These partnerships complement the work happening across Gen's products, research and public policy efforts, helping bring practical insights to the people and organizations working to protect consumers' personal data, identities and financial information.&nbsp;Looking ahead&nbsp;Cybercriminals continue to adapt. So will we.&nbsp;The future of Cyber Safety and scam prevention won’t be built by any one company, industry or technology alone. It will be built through collaboration – with organizations working together, sharing knowledge and acting quickly as new threats emerge.&nbsp;Through partnerships like NCA and the Aspen Institute’s Leadership Group on Scam Prevention, Gen is helping strengthen that collective response—so more people can navigate digital and financial life with greater security and confidence.&nbsp;Learn more about Gen’s <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/public-policy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public policy</a> work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Collaboration is the Future of Digital Freedom

Gen joins the Aspen Institute’s new Leadership Group on Scam Prevention and the National Cybersecurity Alliance

Sr. Manager, CR and Environment

Today, we released our <a href="https://investor.gendigital.com/files/doc_downloads/2026/06/26/2026-Gen-Social-Impact-Report_FINAL.pdf">FY26 Social Impact Report</a>, and the takeaway is clear: Digital Freedom isn’t a future ambition. We’re actively building it now.The numbers tell a clear story.In a year where technology moved faster than ever, our digital safety and financial wellness programs helped more than 11 million people build the skills, confidence and protection they need to thrive online.Nearly 8,700 nonprofits accessed cybersecurity tools through our product donation programs.And 69% of Gen employees participated in volunteering and giving initiatives—the highest participation rate in our history. We also continued to invest in the technology and research that nearly 500 million users trust to protect their digital and financial lives.Here's a look at some of the work behind those numbers.<h4>Helping more people build digital and financial skills</h4>Technology keeps changing. The skills people need to navigate it safely are changing too.Over the past year, we expanded our digital safety and financial wellness programs through partnerships with educators, nonprofits and community organizations around the world. We updated educational content to address AI, created a new partnership with the Jump$tart Coalition, and worked with Discovery Education, the National Consumers League, and more to help people build practical skills for digital life. My Digital Life, co-created with Discovery Ed, has reached more than 600,000 students globally with lessons focused on misinformation, privacy, AI and more since 2023.<h4>Supporting the communities that support others</h4>Our cybersecurity tools help organizations protect the people who depend on them. Product donations remain an important part of how we extend protection beyond our direct customers.In FY26, Gen donated more than $4.8 million in cybersecurity tools to nonprofits through our partnerships with TechSoup and Charity Digital. These organizations support communities around the world, and stronger digital protection helps them continue that work.<h4>Investing in the people behind the protection</h4>Many of Gen's most impactful initiatives start with our employees.This year, employees logged over 9,400 volunteer hours, our highest on record. We also launched Passion to Purpose, a new initiative that gives employees funding and support to lead community projects connected to causes they care about.We continued investing in learning and development as well. Seventy-five percent of employees participated in learning programs, and 70% completed AI or technology-focused courses aligned with our innovation strategy.<h4>Managing our environmental footprint</h4>We work to support a healthy planet. In FY26, we reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 43%. This was driven by facility and data center consolidation and operational efficiency improvements. We also increased renewable energy use, with 35% of our energy sourced from renewables.<h4>Building for what's next</h4>As technology evolves, so do the opportunities and challenges facing people online.Throughout the year, we continued strengthening our approach to responsible innovation, integrating governance, risk management and ethical oversight into AI development and deployment. We also invested in research and threat intelligence that helps consumers, communities and organizations understand and respond to emerging digital risks.<h4>Looking ahead</h4>The stories in this year's report reflect a simple idea: Digital Freedom is about more than technology. It's about helping people build the knowledge, confidence and protection they need to participate fully in the digital world.Read the full 2026 <a href="https://investor.gendigital.com/files/doc_downloads/2026/06/26/2026-Gen-Social-Impact-Report_FINAL.pdf">Social Impact Report.&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;

Gen releases its 2026 Social Impact Report 

Empowering people. Strengthening communities. Building for the future.

Pride Month doesn't look the same everywhere. And that’s exactly the point. The experiences of LGBTQ+ communities vary across countries, cultures and communities. So do the ways people show their support.&nbsp;This year, Gen employees around the world took part in Pride Month activities—from creating resources for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs online to developing messages of encouragement and belonging for queer communities in India. Different activities. Shared goal: creating an environment where people feel respected, supported and able to be fully themselves.&nbsp;<h2>Showing up in local communities&nbsp;</h2>In Tempe, we hosted a live event with guests from <a href="https://www.theseenlife.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The SEEN</a>, a local nonprofit that empowers and advocates for the BIPOC LGBTQ+ community, with people sharing personal stories and celebrating with a game of Jeopardy.&nbsp;

In Pune, team members created affirmative posters featuring messages of support, encouragement and inclusion with LGBTQ+ individuals.&nbsp;"Pride isn't just a month; it's a mindset. Our Pune team picked up brushes and painted what inclusion looks like. Every poster, a promise. Every color, a commitment. ” Pallavi Sharma Patil, Pune&nbsp;

Team members from all around the world volunteered virtually to develop financial aid resources for LGBTQ+ youth entrepreneurs. The goal: increase visibility for queer-owned businesses and connect aspiring entrepreneurs with tools for growth.&nbsp;&nbsp;While each initiative reflected different needs and perspectives, they shared a common belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to live, contribute and participate in their communities authentically. &nbsp;<h2>Building belonging all year long&nbsp;</h2>The work doesn't stop when Pride Month ends.&nbsp;Throughout the year, Communities@Gen, our employee resource groups, help employees connect around shared experiences, build networks and foster a culture of belonging. PROUD, Gen's LGBTQ+ employee community, plays an important role in that effort - creating opportunities and allies to learn from one another, build alongside each other and share ideas around inclusion across the company.&nbsp;Because when people can show up as they are, stronger communities follow.&nbsp;To learn more, visit our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/inclusion-and-belonging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inclusion and Belonging website</a>. &nbsp;

Gen teams support LGBTQ+ communities around the world 

Showing Up for Pride

We work with education partners all over the world to help students build strong, lasting digital safety habits. And we equip teachers with tools and resources that make those digital skills part of everyday learning in their school curriculums, not a one-off lesson.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since 2021, more than 42,300 students across 200 schools have taken part in Cyber Safety training through a collaboration between Norton, part of the Gen family of brands, and Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children – India).&nbsp;&nbsp;The focus is practical: helping young people recognize online risks and build habits that keep them safer—from spotting scams to protecting their personal information. And by bringing teachers and families into the learning process, the program ensures those behaviors don’t stop at the classroom door.&nbsp;

<h2>How it works&nbsp;</h2>We start early and keep it relevant. Students ages 10-16 learn practical Cyber Safety skills through age-based lessons covering topics like scams, phishing and online privacy. Many schools also run Cyber Safety Clubs to keep those habits going beyond the classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;Teachers are trained alongside students with tools they can use every day — not just once.&nbsp;And the learning doesn’t stop at school. Workshops bring in parents, caregivers, School Management Committees and even local law enforcement, so the same messages show up at school, at home and in the community.&nbsp;Between April 2025 and March 2026 alone, these sessions reached more than 9,400 people, including nearly 7,800 students and more than 1,700 caregivers.&nbsp;<h2>The results are in. The impact is clear. &nbsp;</h2><ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e50336e8fde80f2a8f28a0d021f201cb1">99.5% of students surveyed showed improved digital safety knowledge&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e728025570a6c3d168ca5e928feab5a43">Students scoring 70% or higher on the Cyber Safety assessment increased from 5% before the session to 91% afterwards&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e3ea6261ccdf7b675e38313b9e0410513">96% of parents said the training helped them guide their children&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e4bc2abde24be47a263d698de4f102fee">91% of teachers saw positive changes in digital behavior, like stronger passwords and scam awareness&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>These results come from a sample of schools in Pune, Maharashtra and Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu that have been running the program for at least a year. &nbsp;

<h2>Why this approach matters&nbsp;</h2>This work in India is part of something bigger.&nbsp;Across the globe, Gen is helping expand access to digital education that is locally relevant, scalable and built to last—so more people can navigate the digital world with confidence.&nbsp;We’re building on this through partnerships with Discovery Education on <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/discovery-education-ai-curriculum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI literacy</a> and our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/financial-literacy-month-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">financial wellness efforts</a> with the Jump$tart Coalition and the National Consumers League.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How our partnership with Save the Children India builds safer digital habits

Expanding Digital Education for Students in India

Corporate Manager

Phishing scams are more convincing. AI is making fake messages harder to spot. And once attackers get into one account, they often don’t stop there. They move laterally – email, banking, shopping, even identity data — turning a single mistake into something much bigger.That’s how account takeovers become&nbsp;identity theft.And the signals people used to rely on? They’re fading fast.As James E. Lee, President of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), explains: “Remember when we used to tell people bad spelling and poor grammar were the best way to tell if someone was trying to scam you or steal your identity? AI-assisted attacks now make it easy to convince people a scam is real, compromising or bypassing passwords along the way. That’s why we all need to change our habits to include a multi-layer approach to protecting our personal information, starting with passkeys where available, and long, unique passwords created by a password manager + MFA when passkeys are not available.”The good news: protecting yourself doesn’t require expert-level skills. It requires a smarter, layered approach to how you log in; one that makes life harder for attackers, not for you. The new reality: passwords alone aren’t enoughPasswords are still everywhere. But on their own, they’re no longer strong enough to stand up to modern threats like phishing, credential stuffing, and data breaches.Today, the most effective defense is layered:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="ebe7fef585caa31819c6accdda95c3775">Strong, unique passphrases&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e29bc7f2b2042241054279627351da17d">A password manager&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e92657b16dd661843074c9f463fa52be1">Multi-factor authentication (MFA)&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e6ef7fd2c3211fd022bd5c30000356466">Authenticator apps&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e99b977e01d337356e97b88ed370094ea">Passkeys&nbsp;</li></ul>Each layer adds friction for attackers and resilience for you.<h2>Start with stronger passwords or passphrases</h2>Short, complex passwords are fading out. Long, unique&nbsp;passphrases are in.A passphrase (something like a string of unrelated words) is:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e286a4823c6a31ced6d37539a0ef92c7a">harder to crack&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e51ada4f98556fc6e4edfd506d5b0811e">easier to remember&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e10a8c3ae3ceb601bfe4d90320037d1d7">more resistant to brute-force attacks&nbsp;</li></ul>Aim for at least&nbsp;12–15 characters and never reuse credentials across accounts.Why? Because password reuse is one of the fastest paths to identity theft. One breached account can unlock many more—especially email, which acts as a gateway to everything else.

<h2>A password manager makes strong security a reality</h2>Here’s the truth: no one can securely manage dozens of unique passwords on their own.That’s where a password manager comes in. A tool like&nbsp;<a href="https://my.norton.com/extspa/passwordmanager" target="_blank">Norton Password Manager</a> helps you:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e93d3e2f5a1f3d684b90b6064c19fbb2a">generate strong, unique passwords&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e280b796fe7b27859a3108336caf07c71">store them securely&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e695229e2672c6f45484d8ff402915c28">autofill them across devices&nbsp;</li></ul>👉 Instead of reusing passwords or writing them down, you create a system that scales safely.And that matters because better password habits are one of the most effective ways to prevent account takeovers before they start.<h2>MFA: the simplest upgrade with the biggest impact</h2>Even strong passwords can be stolen through phishing, malware or breaches.That’s why&nbsp;multi-factor authentication (MFA) is critical.MFA requires a second form of verification:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e70545fda0a315f0787bd5c2d97b9297e">something you know (password)&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e9c798773de7ff0641db0b83bf87b026b">something you have (device or app)&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e5b11b8077468b93b11b9eea30a434e3e">something you are (biometrics)&nbsp;</li></ul>So even if an attacker gets your password, they still hit a wall.Think of it this way: A password locks the door. MFA adds a deadbolt.<h2>Authenticator apps &gt; SMS (and here’s why)</h2>Many people rely on text message codes for MFA. It’s better than nothing—but it’s not the strongest option.Authenticator apps are more secure because:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e1becac39799082e5fee0a8f2c7adba0b">codes are generated on your device&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="eea63cb614fe3a9dfbb519f6a3e81937a">they aren’t transmitted over networks&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ee5f9827b24141bed1f6ec8e7c1acc7c4">they’re less vulnerable to SIM-swap attacks&nbsp;</li></ul>They also strike the right balance: strong security, minimal friction.<h2>Passkeys: a simpler, phishing-resistant future</h2>Passkeys are gaining traction for a reason. They remove the password entirely.Instead of typing anything, you log in using:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e9dcf2622584197e5cb16fda3f11ef6ac">fingerprint&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ea7d11d74d81497a4acd16e7c6c29d6cd">face scan&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e0426ea4a37edded97d0c20340c5f78d6">device PIN&nbsp;</li></ul>Behind the scenes, passkeys use&nbsp;public key cryptography, which means:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e58dcc6362b3c8cd82d1651546d8ed350">no shared secrets to steal&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e192dbdc4720550b21d96ceefc468888e">no passwords to phish&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e6ac56d7e9a1e70491553d822f360e9dd">no risk of entering credentials into fake sites&nbsp;</li></ul>They’re designed to be&nbsp;phishing-resistant by default.Passkeys aren’t universal yet, but where they’re available, they’re one of the strongest upgrades you can make.<h2>How account takeovers turn into identity theft</h2>This is where it gets real.When attackers access an account, they don’t just stop there. They:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e64049057c95e55d1542faa1c6cae8b82">reset passwords&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e102a5f8ec88ebe93219c8c025126d42f">scrape personal data&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e91eff0019645f2083dfcbf411937ac9d">impersonate you&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="efb44ea2fdf24f5e2381c8e5acae6b8e3">pivot into financial or identity systems&nbsp;</li></ul>That’s how a compromised login becomes&nbsp;identity theft.According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.idtheftcenter.org/" target="_blank">Identity Theft Resource Center</a> (ITRC), stolen credentials are one of the most common starting points for identity-related crimes. The <a href="https://identitytheft.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Federal Trade Commission</a> also notes that identity theft often begins with exposed login information.In other words, protecting your accounts is one of the most effective ways to protect your identity.<h2>Security doesn’t stop at login</h2>Getting into your accounts safely is step one. What happens after matters too.<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="eeca421063d947af9513ba3520e0d9e44">Use secure apps with end-to-end encryption&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e57922da03ac9c2b8ad3b098c22ed9eac">Be cautious about what you share and store&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ed0891d3c1de4af26b749c0b569485d3c">Keep devices updated&nbsp;</li></ul>Good digital habits don’t end at login; they extend across everything you do online.<h2>What to do now (start here)</h2>Focus on your most important accounts:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e0d7d0c8f79bf63ec1dc9855b30165df3">email&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e308b155522a2f37f61aa2deaabfb01b3">banking&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e26ce5f8a4c9ff8a30dfc73dd89eea960">shopping&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e2324f3fed7f0dcdafb1af0c2ee15ca9b">social media&nbsp;</li></ul>Then:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e6f69f3a8b0b344d52b8219fb40b2ab09">Create long, unique passphrases&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e881ebfa1d05420bf605313135ecec426">Use a password manager &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="eb63b60ac4032b3eca7f992e0b74e95b5">Turn on MFA everywhere you can&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ef4b8b21f6dccdba45a0f751e50edceec">Choose an authenticator app over SMS&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ea21ef6c61d702b4f3f3b14874b1109d2">Adopt passkeys when available&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>Build a layered defense that works</h2>There’s no single fix for cybersecurity. The strongest protection comes from combining tools that reinforce each other:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e9103f9164c0015d124a746b512b58630">Passphrases protect against guessing and reuse&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e09e76fdc1cf114a79d3205044d2b4894">Password managers make strong habits sustainable&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e11204eee1d8516ebf6a7218416e4b33d">MFA blocks unauthorized access&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e549576d6a19185416cc2e423b8e08fcf">Authenticator apps strengthen that layer&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e3bf65eec480f11a943d6de5153de9028">Passkeys reduce reliance on passwords entirely&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>Build better sign-in habits, one step at a time</h2>Together, they create a system that’s much harder to break—and much easier to live with. Attackers don’t need much, just one weak password, one reused login, one missed step. That’s why small upgrades matter. A stronger passphrase. Turning on MFA. Using a password manager. Choosing passkeys when you can.You don’t have to do everything at once. But each step you take makes it harder for someone else to take control.

Nikki Estrella

Posts by Nikki Estrella

Gen joins the Aspen Institute’s new Leadership Group on Scam Prevention and the National Cybersecurity Alliance

Showing Up for Pride