Data Privacy Day 2012 to be Widely Celebrated Across the U.S. and Abroad

Calendar of Events Leading Up to January 28th International Awareness Effort Continues to Grow; Google and MasterCard Worldwide Join List of Official Partners

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a non-profit public-private partnership focused on cybersecurity awareness and education for all digital citizens, continues to grow momentum for Data Privacy Day 2012 with support from sponsors, partners and likeminded organizations. Coordinated and led by NCSA, Data Privacy Day on January 28, 2012 will promote the importance of data privacy and encourage digital citizens to exercise closer control over how their personal information is collected, shared, and stored online.

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A myriad of events, trainings, and initiatives leading up to Data Privacy Day will take place throughout the United States, Canada, Council of Europe member countries, and a host of other countries across the globe. An overview of events can be found at http://bit.ly/zrJFkj. NCSA sponsors and partners will participate in some of those activities to help amplify important messages about data privacy. Google is now an official partner along with MasterCard Worldwide Microsoft, Intuit, Comcast, and NQ Mobile (formerly NetQin Mobile).  The current list of official sponsors includes Intel and eBay Inc. 

"NCSA is very excited to see widespread support for Data Privacy Day 2012 throughout industry, government, businesses, and communities around the world," said Executive Director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, Michael Kaiser.  "Everyday our lives become more reliant on the Internet and the goal behind Data Privacy Day is to educate digital citizens on how to protect their personal information online and make them more aware of the impact that technology has in their lives. While we celebrate Data Privacy Day on January 28^th, we want audiences to use safe data privacy practices year-round."

Intuit, a Data Privacy Day partner, is a strong advocate of data privacy protection and awareness.  "We are the stewards of our 50 million customers' sensitive financial data and have been earning the trust of our customers for nearly 30 years. We encourage consumers, small businesses and those they serve, to approach Data Privacy Day as an opportunity to assess ways in which they can better protect personal data," said Barb Lawler, Intuit's chief privacy officer. 

"We are proud to be supporting Data Privacy Day 2012 and look forward to the great programs in store this year," said Pablo Chavez, a director of public policy at Google. "Our involvement with Data Privacy Day is just the latest in our ongoing efforts to help educate users about how to control their privacy and security on the web."

"As a payments and technology company, MasterCard Worldwide delivers products and solutions that serve consumers, merchants and our business partners around the globe," said JoAnn Stonier, global privacy & data protection officer at MasterCard Worldwide. "As we continue to develop our information practices, we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of data. We are proud to support and participate in Data Privacy Day - an event that raises awareness about online safety and privacy - and convenes an important cross-industry dialogue about data privacy and information management best practices."

Many organizations are supporting Data Privacy Day in various unique ways. NCSA along with several sponsors and partners will host a flagship event on January 26th at the George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC.  The event titled: "The Intersection of Privacy & Security," will feature The Honorable Julie Brill, commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Michael Kaiser, executive director of the NCSA; Dan Solove, research professor of Law at George Washington University and others in a panel style discussion about how security protects privacy and ways in which companies can ensure that sensitive information is protected while allowing innovation to flourish. Those interested in attending the event can register at http://dpd12.eventbrite.com/. To RSVP to watch the event via Facebook Live from 9:30-11:45 a.m. ET on January 26th and join the conversation, visit http://on.fb.me/privacyday2012.

The breadth of additional events both across the world and in the U.S. shows a dynamic commitment on the part of other organizations in making Data Privacy Day a success. These activities are showcased on the Data Privacy Day web portal by region at: http://bit.ly/zrJFkj including the following:

• January 24, 2012, San Francisco, CA – Microsoft presents, "The Collection of Online Consumer Data: the Good, the Bad and the Unknown," – an open forum discussion at the Churchill Club.  This event will explore the growing tension between economic opportunities to mine the ever-increasing amounts of data available online vs. consumer and regulator desire for strong privacy protections. For information, visit: http://bit.ly/vWaxnm
• January 24, 2012, Chicago, IL – The Online Trust Alliance (OTA) will host a "Privacy & Data Protection Town Hall." The breakfast panel will focus on pressing privacy and data security issues affecting every business and organization and will include Craig Spiezle, OTA executive director and president among other leaders in the business community. For more information, visit: http://privacy-townhall.eventbrite.com/
• January 25th and 30th, Online Webinar – EDUCAUSE is providing several activities and resources to help raise data privacy awareness in higher education, including these free webinars:
  • January 25th, 1–2 p.m. ET — "A Balancing Act: Student Privacy and Student Data in the Electronic Age," webinar with Kathleen Styles, chief privacy officer, U.S. Department of Education and Rodney Petersen, senior government relations officer and managing director of the Washington Office, EDUCAUSE. For more information, visit: http://www.educause.edu/policy/dataprivacy
  • January 30, 1–2 p.m. ET — "Protecting Personal Data: What Every Student Needs to Know About Online Reputation Management with Matt Ivester," founder of JuicyCampus and author and Merri Beth Lavagnino, chief privacy officer and compliance coordinator, Indiana University. For more information, visit: http://www.educause.edu/policy/dataprivacy
• February 2, 2012, Miami, FL – Susan McAndrew, deputy director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights, Health Information Privacy, will join a group of invited leaders in healthcare for "The Health Privacy Salon." These leaders will convene to discuss the latest issues in health privacy law. For more information, visit: http://www.privacylawsalon.com/health

On the international front, the Council for Europe and EU Countries are hosting the 5th International Computers, Privacy & Data Protection Conference (CPDP) entitled, "European Data Protection: Coming of Age," in Brussels. CPDP 2012 takes place during a significant phase in the revision of the EU legal framework on data protection and several panels will discuss and review latest legislative proposals. More than 20 panels will be organized on key issues such as geolocalization, e-identity and e-management, enforcement of copyright protection, surveillance in the workplace, accountability and communication of privacy.

Additionally the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) along with Data Protection Officers (DPO's) will raise awareness among EU staff and any other interested persons about their rights and obligations regarding data protection. To mark the effort, a video message from EDPS officials will be circulated to EU staff members and made available on the video page of the website.  The video will focus on privacy and data protection as fundamental rights and highlight the everyday processing of personal data and the risks.  

NCSA encourages all audiences to visit the Data Privacy Day web portal for updated information on how to get involved, new events, educational resources, tip sheets, and more on the awareness campaign.  Full information and resources surrounding Data Privacy Day can be found at http://bit.ly/A8dHCK. In addition to the resources listed, NCSA encourages companies and organizations to get involved in Data Privacy Day and express their support by becoming champions through the website at http://bit.ly/zvfCJX.

About International Data Privacy Day
Data Privacy Day is an annual International celebration designed to promote awareness about privacy and education about best privacy practices.  In this networked world, in which we are thoroughly digitized, Data Privacy Day promotes awareness about the many ways personal information is collected, stored, used, and shared, and education about privacy practices that will enable individuals to protect their personal information.  It brings together advocates from businesses, governments, academics and not-for-profit organizations to promote collaboration and encourage dialogue on the issue of privacy.  The Data Privacy Day is supported by official sponsors Intel and eBay Inc. and partners Microsoft, Intuit, Comcast, NQ Mobile, MasterCard Worldwide and Google.

About The National Cyber Security Alliance
The National Cyber Security Alliance is a non-profit organization. Through collaboration with the government, corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, the mission of the NCSA is to empower a digital citizenry to use the Internet securely and safely protecting themselves and the technology they use and the digital assets we all share. NCSA works to create a culture of cyber security and safety through education and awareness activities. NCSA board members include: ADP, AT&T, Bank of America, Cisco Systems, EMC Corporation, ESET, Facebook, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Google, Intel, Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Services, McAfee, Microsoft, PayPal, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Symantec, Verizon and Visa. Visit http://www.staysafeonline.org for more information and join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/staysafeonline.

About STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
The campaign was developed by the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Messaging Convention, a public-private partnership established in 2009 and led by The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) to develop and support a national cybersecurity awareness campaign.  In October 2010 the White House, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Messaging Convention launched the campaign. The Department of Homeland Security provides the Federal Government's leadership for the campaign. Industry, government, non-profits and education institutions participate in STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Learn how to get involved at www.stopthinkconnect.org.

SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance