National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) Officially Celebrates Data Privacy Day 2012 with Privacy Forum

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a non-profit public-private partnership focused on cybersecurity awareness and education for all digital citizens and official coordinator of Data Privacy Day, will formally celebrate Data Privacy Day 2012 by hosting a privacy forum today from 9:00-11:45 a.m. ET at the George Washington University School of Law. Data Privacy Day is an annual awareness initiative that focuses on educating people about the importance of protecting the privacy of personal information and promotes individual control over private data. The awareness effort is celebrated in many places around the world.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120105/DC30562LOGO)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110504/DC95016LOGO)

Today's Data Privacy Day event will be broadcast worldwide via Facebook Live, Facebook's official live streaming channel, and is entitled, "The Intersection of Privacy & Security." U.S. Federal Trade Commissioner Julie Brill will offer keynote remarks followed by two panel discussions moderated by Christopher Wolf, co-chair and founder of Future of Privacy Forum and partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP. The discussion will reflect upon ways in which privacy and security are closely related and how companies can ensure sensitive information remains secure while allowing innovation to flourish. Facebook Live viewers can tune in today to view the program live from 9:30-11:45 a.m. ET at: http://on.fb.me/dctalkslive.

Panelists include: David Hoffman, director of security policy and global privacy officer, Intel; Gerard Lewis, vice president, deputy general counsel and chief privacy officer, Comcast Cable; Ari Schwartz, 
senior Internet policy advisor, U.S. Department of Commerce; Rick Buck, head of privacy GSI, eBay Inc.; Erin Egan, chief privacy officer, policy, Facebook; JoAnn C. Stonier, 
global privacy & data protection officer, MasterCard Worldwide; 
and Bob Quinn, senior vice president-Federal Regulatory & chief privacy officer, AT&T.

"We're pleased to see so many organizations coming together in support of Data Privacy Day 2012. This shows a strong commitment on the part of digital industry stakeholders in making the Internet a safer place and educating digital citizens about the importance of privacy," said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. "Increased security measures contribute to better privacy protection, and we want everyone to be aware of how to best protect their information. We hope the official Data Privacy Day 2012 event will encourage digital citizens to become more vigilant about how their personal data is being consumed, stored, and used by other parties online." 

The list of supporting organizations for Data Privacy Day 2012 includes the recent addition of AT&T and Facebook as official sponsorship partners along with Google, MasterCard Worldwide, Microsoft, Intuit, Comcast, and NQ Mobile (formerly NetQin Mobile). The current list of official sponsors includes Intel and eBay Inc.  Full information and resources surrounding Data Privacy Day can be found at: http://bit.ly/A8dHCK.

"AT&T is pleased to be a sponsor of and participant in NCSA's Data Privacy Day activities," said Robert Quinn, senior vice president-Federal Regulatory and chief privacy officer. "At AT&T, our privacy commitments are fundamental to the way we do business each and every day.  Data Privacy Day is an ideal occasion for companies, organizations and others to renew their commitment to consumer privacy and to raise awareness among consumers."

As part of Data Privacy Day, mobile security company NQ Mobile joined forces with the NCSA to conduct a new survey of consumer attitudes and behaviors towards mobile security. The first phase of the study reveals the general perceptions, ideas, and beliefs that smartphone owners have about security and privacy. Interestingly, while smartphone users take their phones seriously, few take the necessary steps to secure them. This issue extended to parents, who don't fully understand how to protect their children as they use their phones to email, text, download apps, and more. Later this year, NQ Mobile and NCSA will announce further findings regarding how parents view smartphone security and parental controls applications. One surprising fact that came out of this study: Parents who are most aware of security and privacy issues tend to be those who don't buy smartphones for their children.  Parents whose kids do have smartphones tend to be less concerned, and don't seem to know all that much about securing them.

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.  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 Data Privacy Day

Coordinated and led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), 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.  Data Privacy Day is supported by official sponsors Intel and eBay Inc. and sponsorship partners Microsoft, Intuit, Comcast, NQ Mobile, MasterCard Worldwide, AT&T, Facebook 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.

SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance