Blancco Stresses Mobile Device Erasure as Data Privacy Day "Champion"

JOENSUU, Finland, January 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Data erasure expert urgesInternet and mobile device users to consider privacy in online activities and to prioritize data protection with practices like data erasure

Almost all of us use the Internet and mobile devices for personal and professional purposes, but are we consistent about protecting our online privacy? Blancco, the global leader in data erasure and computer reuse solutions, aims to raise awareness about data vulnerability during Data Privacy Day (DPD) on January 28. By becoming a DPD "Champion," Blancco lends support to the DPD principles of respecting privacy, safeguarding data and enabling trust, especially as data-rich mobile devices like smartphones and tablets proliferate.

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"As a DPD Champion, Blancco will emphasize information security through sound data erasure policies for computers and mobiles devices that users want to donate, resell, trade in or dispose ― as well as erasure of potentially sensitive data no longer needed on devices in use," said Kim Väisänen, Managing Director of Blancco. "Erasure is especially critical for mobile devices, which may threaten gigabytes of personal and business information if not erased at proper times in equipment and data lifecycles."

With used smartphone sales predicted to soon cannibalize 8 percent of new unit sales, Blancco will highlight secure data erasure practices at Mobile World Congress, this March 2-5, in Barcelona.^[1] Blancco also joins a growing global effort by organizations, corporations, educational institutions, government entities and municipalities to inform consumers and organizations about how personal information may be collected, the benefits and risks of sharing personal information, and the nature of online data usage.

Spearheaded by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), Data Privacy Day began in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day recognition in Europe. January 28 commemorates the 1981 signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty addressing privacy and data protection.

For more information about Data Privacy Day and the DPD Champions program, visit http://www.staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/. You can follow Data Privacy Day on Twitter at @DataPrivacyDay and the hashtag #DPD2015, and updates and privacy tips are also available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DataPrivacyNCSA.

^[1]http://www.forbes.com/sites/connieguglielmo/2013/08/07/used-smartphone-market-poised-to-explode-apple-iphone-holding-up-better-than-samsung-galaxy/

About Blancco

Blancco is the proven data erasure solution for millions of users around the globe. As the global leader in data erasure and computer reuse solutions, Blancco offers the most certified data erasure solutions within the industry. The company serves users across a wide range of industries, including banking, finance, government and defense. The company's products are highly valued by IT asset disposal professionals around the world. Blancco operates from an extensive network of international offices and partners across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Russia, Asia and Australasia. Blancco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Regenersis, a strategic outsourcing partner to many of the world's leading consumer technology companies. More information is available at http://www.blancco.com.

About Data Privacy Day
NCSA assumed leadership of Data Privacy Day in August 2011 from The Privacy Projects. A nonprofit, public-private partnership dedicated cybersecurity education and awareness, NCSA is advised by a distinguished advisory committee of privacy professionals. For more information, visit  http://www.staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day. Data Privacy Day is made possible by generous support from the following organizations: Ghostery is a Data Privacy Day Leading Sponsor; Intel is a Contributing Sponsor; and Lockheed Martin is a Participating Sponsor. Small Business Sponsors include the Churchill Club, the Georgia Tech School of Interactive Computing, PRIVATE WiFi, Reputation.com and Privacy Ref LLC.

Media Contact:
Monica Shaw
+1-770-367-9534
[email protected]

Blancco Oy Ltd.
Kim Väisänen, Managing Director
+358-50-585-2885
[email protected]

SOURCE Blancco Oy Ltd.