Zurich Canada and BOXX Insurance partner for Cyber Security Awareness Month
Through Zurich Canada’s ongoing collaboration with the Z Zurich Foundation and Junior Achievement Canada (JA Canada), the organizations are helping equip young Canadians with skills that support resilience, mental well-being and future success.
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. In line with this year’s theme, Your Best Defence Is You, Zurich Canada and BOXX Insurance have teamed up to share practical tips and resources that help youth identify and protect themselves from cyberbullying and digital threats.
Youth in Canada are navigating a complex digital world, where cyberbullying can take many forms, including impersonation, identity theft, online fraud, extortion and sophisticated AI-driven tactics such as deepfakes. Proactive digital safety habits remain essential to helping children and teens recognize these risks and protect themselves. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 30% of Canadian youth say they have experienced cyberbullying, while about half say they have witnessed it happening to someone else.
Cyber threats affect more than devices, identities or finances. They can also have lasting emotional and psychological impacts, influencing young people’s confidence, relationships and overall mental well-being.
“As young people spend more time online, the risks they face are becoming more complex,” says James Warburton, SVP, Chief Information Officer, Zurich Canada. “Cyberbullying can have lasting effects, but open conversations and practical safeguards can make a difference. By helping families recognize online risks, strengthen digital security and create a safe space for young people to ask for support, we can help them navigate the digital world more safely.”
Combatting cyberbullying is a shared responsibility. Parents and caregivers can help young people navigate the digital world by:
- Keeping the conversation open: Talk regularly about online risks and make sure young people know they can ask for help without fear or embarrassment.
- Building critical thinking: Encourage young people to question what they see online and verify unexpected messages before clicking, sharing or responding.
- Strengthening digital security: Use strong, unique passwords and multifactor authentication, and establish family expectations for when and where devices are used.
- Using available safeguards: Set age-appropriate parental controls, content filters and screen-time limits.
- Creating a family code word: Choose a word known only to trusted family members to verify unexpected calls or messages asking for money, personal information or urgent assistance.
“AI is making familiar cyber threats much more convincing,” says Neal Jardine, Chief Operating Officer and President, BOXX Insurance Canada. “Criminals can now create deepfake images or videos in minutes, making it harder for young people to recognize when they’re being manipulated. That’s why prevention has become just as important as response. Helping youth and their families understand how cyber scams work before they encounter them is one of the best ways to reduce digital risks and its negative effects on mental health.”
“Supporting young people’s mental well-being starts with giving them the knowledge and skills to navigate challenges both online and in their everyday lives,” says Scott Hillier, President and CEO, JA Canada. Through our ongoing collaboration with Zurich Canada and the Z Zurich Foundation, we’re helping young people build resilience, develop practical skills and feel better prepared to navigate an increasingly complex world.”
A webinar featuring James Warburton and Neal Jardine explores cyber protection, cyberbullying, online extortion and practical ways young people and their families can build resilience and stay safe online. Watch the webinar and access additional resources through JA Canada’s Building Mindsets and Skillsets for Success page.
Learn more about Zurich Canada and the Z Zurich Foundation’s work with JA Canada here.
About Zurich Canada
Founded 150 years ago, Zurich Insurance Group is a leading multi-line insurer serving about 60 million customers – both people and businesses – in more than 200 countries and territories. Zurich Canada has been a leader in the Canadian insurance market for over 100 years, serving customers across two segments – Commercial and Retail. With over 900 employees in offices across the country, we leverage global capabilities with local service and knowledge. Through a thoughtful and transparent approach, our dedicated regional teams help mitigate and manage risks and build resilience, helping customers meet tomorrow prepared.
About Z Zurich Foundation
The Z Zurich Foundation works with communities and organizations around the world to create brighter futures. Together, these efforts help people adapt to climate change, improve their mental wellbeing, access education and employment opportunities, and strengthen resilience to disasters. The Foundation is a Swiss-based charitable organization established by members of the Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich). It is the main vehicle through which Zurich delivers its global community investment strategy. Visit the Foundation's website to learn more about its work www.zurich.foundation.
About BOXX Insurance
BOXX Insurance helps businesses and individuals insure and defend against cyber and technology risks, harnessing the power of ALL IN ONE Cyber and Technology Insurance and Protection. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices worldwide, BOXX is a global, award-winning provider of cyber protection services and technology insurance coverage.
We’re not a typical insurance company. That’s by design. We’re obsessive about making clients’ digital worlds safer and more resilient; creating real, positive changes for our clients, partners and brokers. With comprehensive, technologically advanced products and services that have a strong emphasis on predicting, preventing and insuring against negative cyber and technology events, BOXX is dedicated to helping businesses operate securely and confidently in an increasingly complex digital environment, 365 days a year.
BOXX Insurance Inc. is part of Zurich Global Businesses & Operations, a global ecosystem focused on delivering meaningful value to customers and partners. By bringing together Travel, Cyber and Zurich’s global operations, including global capability centers, we operate at scale to provide customized, proactive and digital experiences that help individuals and businesses be better prepared for the future.
About Junior Achievement of Canada
JA Canada is one of Canada's largest youth-serving education organizations, dedicated to inspiring and preparing youth to succeed in a global economy. A member of JA Worldwide, a 2025 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, JA Canada inspires the next generation to realize their potential and make a positive impact in their communities. JA Canada delivers experiential in-class and digital-first learning experiences to young people through our network of local offices, and in collaboration with educators and volunteers. Annually, JA delivers more than 500,000 student learning experiences from coast-to-coast. JA is committed to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity through programs that help youth build transferable skills in work readiness, financial health, and entrepreneurship. For more information, please visit www.jacanada.org.
Media Contact
Kate Moseley-Williams
VP, Communications and Corporate Affairs
kate.moseleywilliams@zurich.com