Verizon and National Cyber Security Alliance, in Recognition of Data Privacy Day, Urge Consumers, Businesses to Protect Their Data

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Data Privacy Day, Verizon is joining other technology players in encouraging customers, employees and the public to become more aware of online privacy and data-protection issues and implement best practices for protecting confidential information.

The event, which will be held on Saturday (Jan. 28), is being led by the National Cyber Security Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering a companies and individuals to use the Internet safely and securely.

During Data Privacy Day, now in its fifth consecutive year, participants around the globe will share privacy best practices, including training employees; offer best practices to customers; promote privacy education among parents, teachers and students; and host privacy awareness events.  As a sponsor of Data Privacy Day and longtime privacy and security advocate, Verizon is focused on maintaining the privacy of its customers around the world. 

To support this effort, Verizon is developing a blog series to help businesses implement privacy best practices.  Visit Verizon's ThinkForward Blog to read more.  Verizon is also hosting a Twitter party Friday (Jan. 27) at 1:30 p.m. geared to assisting consumers and businesses enhance privacy.  Look for hashtag #privacyday on Twitter. Twitter users interested in participating in the Data Privacy Day chat should register at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2807420069. 

"Verizon is dedicated to helping improve conditions of online safety and security for all digital users, but we also know the Internet cannot become safer without everyone doing their part," said Marcus Sachs, vice president of national cyber security policy, Verizon.  "Beyond products and services, Verizon is helping customers instill best practices into their own businesses as well as helping consumers navigate the Internet with privacy considerations in mind."

For additional resources on how to stay safe online, visit the National Cyber Security Alliance's Data Privacy Day 2012 web portal. Consumers also can check out Verizon's online solutions for Internet security and file backup and sharing at http://surround.verizon.com/Shop/FeaturedOffers/Default.aspx.

About The National Cyber Security Alliance
The National Cyber Security Alliance is a nonprofit 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 www.staysafeonline.org for more information.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 109 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 194,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by email, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon