Data Privacy Day 2013 Gaining Widespread Support Across the Globe

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a non-profit public-private partnership focused on helping all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online and official coordinator of Data Privacy Day (DPD), continues to see growing momentum for DPD 2013 with widespread support from countries, organizations, and businesses across the globe. This includes international Champions such as the Council of Europe, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and the Office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner.

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Data Privacy Day is celebrated each year on January 28^th and is an international day of awareness to empower people to protect their privacy and control their digital footprint. The new DPD theme: Respecting Privacy, Safeguarding Data and Enabling Trust, strives to articulate the protection of privacy and data stewardship as everyone's priority. Information about Data Privacy Day can be found at the newly launched DPD Web portal at: http://www.staysafeonline.org/dpd

National Cyber Security Alliance will officially kick-off Data Privacy Day 2013 by hosting a privacy forum at the George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC on January 28^th. Federal Trade Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen will keynote the event. The event will also include discussions by key industry thought leaders about the importance of data stewardship and the future of privacy innovation. Intel has signed on as a platinum sponsor for the event along with AT&T, Google and Microsoft serving as Gold sponsors. More details about NCSA's event and DPD events held around the nation can be found at: http://www.staysafeonline.org/about-us/events/

Since 2008 Data Privacy Day has been made successful through support and participation from major international corporations, governments, and other organizations. New participants are joining in to support DPD 2013 every day. Among its growing list of sponsors and thought leaders, Intel, Microsoft, AT&T and Google have signed on to promote privacy awareness.  Many other organizations have also signed on as Data Privacy Day Champions and will participate by reaching out and educating customers, citizens, employees and communities through events, activities and/or other channels.

"Any company, government entity, organization or individual that collects, processes and/or stores personal information should take all necessary steps to respect privacy and prevent data loss," said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. "This can be done by being accountable for their stewardship of personal data and by also providing easy to understand information and tools to empower individuals to control information that relates to them.  With the necessary leadership to respect privacy and safeguard data, it will enable a safer and more trusted Internet that will benefit us all."

Kaiser added, "January 28^th is the culmination of our year long efforts to raise awareness and empower people to protect everyone's privacy and control their digital footprint and escalate the protection of privacy and data as everyone's priority. We of course could not do this without the support of our sponsors."

"Intel is proud to play a continuing role in building global awareness about the importance of privacy," said David Hoffman, Intel's director of Security Policy and Global Privacy Officer. "Through collaboration by industry, government and civil society we can build an environment where individuals can trust their use of technology, because their personal information will be respected and protected."

For anyone interested in getting involved with Data Privacy Day, the newly launched Web portal offers a host of tips and resources for parents, teachers, educators, businesses and others at: http://www.staysafeonline.org/dpd. The portal also offers information about how to promote Data Privacy Day such as becoming a DPD Champion, sponsorship opportunities and a community calendar to post events. NCSA encourages companies and organizations to become a Champion by registering at: http://www.staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/champions. Data Privacy Day information is also available Twitter at: www.twitter.com/DataPrivacyDay and the DPD Twitter hashtag is #DPD13. DPD updates and privacy tips are also available on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DataPrivacyNCSA

About Data Privacy Day
Led by the National Cyber Security Alliance, Data Privacy Day began in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. The Day commemorates the 1981 signing of Convention 108 – the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. Data Privacy Day is a celebration for everyone and an effort to empower people to protect their privacy, control their digital footprint and escalate the protection of data privacy as everyone's priority. Intel is a Platinum sponsor of Data Privacy Day. Gold sponsors include AT&T, Microsoft and Google. George Washington University Law School is a Silver sponsor.

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 educate and 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 board members include: ADP, AT&T, Bank of America, EMC Corporation, ESET, Facebook, Google, Intel, McAfee, Microsoft, PayPal, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Symantec, Trend Micro, Verizon and Visa. Visit www.staysafeonline.org for more information and join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/staysafeonline.

SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance