National Cyber Security Alliance to Coordinate Data Privacy Day

International Awareness Day to Celebrate the Importance of Data Privacy and Protection  

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a non-profit public-private partnership focused on cybersecurity awareness and education for all digital citizens, today announced that it will organize and lead efforts for Data Privacy Day on January 28, 2012. This annual international awareness initiative promotes data privacy and protection across the United States, Canada, and a host of other countries across the globe.

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Data Privacy Day is an international celebration that focuses on educating people about the importance of protecting the privacy of personal information and that promotes individual control over private data. With the explosion of digital communications, people depend increasingly on mobile devices, instant access to information, and intelligent services. As they benefit from using these technologies, consumers and citizens must be vigilant about protecting their personal information. Data Privacy Day generates dialogue among all digital community stakeholders, including businesses, government officials and agencies, educators, nonprofits, academics and individuals to examine how advanced technologies can positively affect daily lives without putting user information and personal data at risk.

"We are delighted to incorporate Data Privacy Day into our cybersecurity education and awareness calendar," said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the NCSA. "Data privacy and cyber security are deeply intertwined. Everyone is safer and more secure when people protect their own information and take responsibility to protect the information that others have entrusted to them. Data Privacy Day will become a part of STOP. THINK. CONNECT. – a national cyber security education and awareness campaign."

Kaiser added: "Under the leadership of The Privacy Projects, Data Privacy Day has emerged as an important international awareness day. NCSA plans to build on the strong foundation that already exists and to recruit more companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations to get involved Data Privacy Day and educate those around them about the importance of privacy and protecting personal information."

Data Privacy Day began in Europe in 2007 and continues to be celebrated there in more than 30 countries as Data Protection Day. The United States and Canada joined the celebration in 2008. Since 2009,  the U.S. Senate has recognized January 28th as National Data Privacy Day in the United States. Over the past four years, Data Privacy Day has grown significantly and has been celebrated by at least one entity in the following areas: India, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Australia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

Data Privacy Day has thrived with the support and participation of major international corporations.  Once again, this year, Intel and Microsoft are official sponsors of Data Privacy Day 2012. "We are pleased to have NCSA lead future efforts around Data Privacy Day," said David Hoffman, director of Security Policy and Global Privacy Officer at Intel. "Intel has had the privilege of being a part of Data Privacy Day since its inception, and it has been a terrific experience to work with individuals and groups dedicated to privacy. We are confident that NCSA will continue to make this day a success and we look forward to participating in Data Privacy Day this January."

"As a founding member of the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), and a longtime supporter of Data Privacy Day (DPD), Microsoft welcomes NCSA's leadership of Data Privacy Day (DPD) 2012," said Microsoft's Chief Privacy Officer Brendon Lynch. "We thank The Privacy Projects for its DPD leadership over the years, and will continue to build on that good work. Microsoft looks forward to collaborating with NCSA to raise awareness of and discuss solutions to help address security and privacy concerns during DPD and through other shared initiatives."

"It has been a rewarding experience to be involved with Data Privacy Day's broad educational effort," said Jolynn Dellinger, program manager of the Data Privacy Day project since 2008. "The interest in privacy is global, the need for privacy education and commitment to best privacy practices is substantial, and the evolution of Data Privacy Day has been tremendous. I look forward to working with NCSA to grow Data Privacy Day's footprint."

In an effort to bring information privacy into our daily actions, Data Privacy Day activities will include presentations, conferences, technology demonstrations, webpage and video competitions, instructional videos, workshops, and regional events. For more information about Data Privacy Day 2012, please visit:  www.dataprivacyday.org

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 www.staysafeonline.org for more information.

About  STOP. THINK. CONNECT.

STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ is the first-ever coordinated message to help all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online. The message was created by an unprecedented coalition of private companies, non-profits and government organizations. The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) led the effort to find a unified online safety message that could be adopted across public and private sectors. The campaign hopes to achieve for online safety awareness what "Smokey Bear" did for forest fire safety and "Click It or Ticket" did for seatbelt safety, more information can be found at www.stopthinkconnect.org.  

SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance