Momentum Growing for Data Privacy Day 2012

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2012 /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 official sponsors Intel, eBay Inc. and partner sponsors Microsoft, Intuit, Comcast and NQ Mobile (formerly NetQin Mobile) will support Data Privacy Day 2012. Information about Data Privacy Day can be found at http://www.staysafeonline.org/dpd. 

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Coordinated and led by the NCSA, Data Privacy Day is an international celebration that promotes privacy awareness and education across the United States, Canada, Council of Europe member countries, and a host of other countries across the globe. The annual international awareness initiative focuses on educating people about the importance of protecting the privacy of personal information and promotes individual control over private data. Since 2008, Data Privacy Day has continued to thrive through the support and participation of major international corporations and new organizations are joining the list of participating organizations for 2012 every day.

Momentum for Data Privacy Day continues to grow with the release of the Data Privacy Day 2012 website available at: http://www.staysafeonline.org/dpd.  The site includes information about Data Privacy Day events taking place in January and early February and offers educational materials and resources for young people, educators, parents, consumers, and businesses about the importance of protecting the privacy of personal information online and in mobile contexts. Also available are tip sheets, posters (coming soon), and information about how to deal with privacy issues. Organizations are welcome to download and use any of these materials to host their own Data Privacy Day events. Companies and organizations can express their support by becoming champions through the website at http://www.staysafeonline.org/dpd/get-involved/become-champion.

Leading up to Data Privacy Day 2012, its sponsors and NCSA will host and participate in various events, initiatives and trainings around the world designed to raise awareness about privacy issues. One such event includes a forum hosted by NCSA, Intel and Comcast on January 26, 2012, at the George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC. The event will focus on the intersection between privacy and security and include a discussion by key policy and thought leaders regarding what can be done to ensure better Internet privacy protections across the U.S. and worldwide. In San Jose, California, Microsoft will host an event at the Churchill Club on January 24th that explores "The Collection of Online Consumer Data: The Good, The Bad and the Unknown." Information about these events and others will be made available at: http://www.staysafeonline.org/dpd/2012-events.

"NCSA is pleased to extend our list of partners in this international awareness effort, and we look forward to working with Intel, eBay Inc., Microsoft, Intuit, Comcast and NQ Mobile. NCSA's mission is driven by our public-private partnerships, and these innovative companies will provide a strong foundation for Data Privacy Day 2012 and a platform to share our message and educate people around the world on how to protect their digital footprint and information," said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. "This year, we encourage all digital citizens to take an active role in learning safe practices and behaviors. We encourage people to follow the basic advice from the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. campaign and protect their personal information. It is our collective and shared responsibility to help make the Internet a safer environment in which people have the ability to protect the privacy of their personal information, and it starts with three simple steps: STOP. THINK. CONNECT."

As a founding sponsor, Intel has played an integral role in Data Privacy Day under the leadership of NCSA Board member David Hoffman. "It's important to reflect on how technology impacts our lives and the benefits we get from the processing of personal information.  To get these benefits we also need to understand the risks from such processing," said Hoffman, director of security policy and global privacy officer at Intel.  "Since its inception, Data Privacy Day has raised awareness on privacy issues in an increasingly digital world, and we hope this year's efforts will create better understanding of the implications of the use of technology."

Microsoft has also been an integral force in helping Data Privacy Day thrive. "Microsoft has a longstanding commitment to privacy," said Jacqueline Beauchere, NCSA Board secretary and director of trustworthy computing for Microsoft Corporation. "Data Privacy Day provides an important platform for industry to come together to raise awareness among consumers, business and government. The growing support for Data Privacy Day shows an industry commitment to ensuring that privacy issues remain a top priority. We look forward to all of the activity surrounding Data Privacy Day and reaching new audiences through additional partnerships."

eBay Inc. has recently joined Intel as an official sponsor of Data Privacy Day.  Additionally, the newest partners for Data Privacy Day include Comcast, Intuit, and NQ Mobile. "We look forward to supporting Data Privacy Day 2012 and are excited about promoting the importance of data privacy at both the domestic and international levels with a platform that engages audiences and provides helpful information that users can employ year-round," said Gerard Lewis, chief privacy officer of Comcast and Suzanne Rodway, chief privacy officer of NBCUniversal.

To help spread awareness of the privacy risks associated with smartphones, NQ Mobile will share important insights about data privacy gained from its recent survey of American consumers and extensive research on mobile threats. "At NQ Mobile, our core mission is to help consumers understand the importance of protecting their private data stored on mobile smartphones," said Dr. Henry Lin, the company's founder, CEO and chairman. "The products we make play a critical part, but nothing is more vital than what users themselves can do to ensure that their private data remains safe and secure. We look forward to helping educate consumers on how to protect their personal and financial information as part of Data Privacy Day."

Data Privacy Day began in Europe in 2007 and continues to be celebrated 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.  In 2009, the National Association of Attorneys General recognized Data Privacy Day, and numerous state governors recognize Data Privacy Day annually.  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. For more information about Data Privacy Day 2012, please visit: http://www.staysafeonline.org/dpd.

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.

The campaign was developed by the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Messaging Convention, a public-private partnership established in 2009 and led by The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) to develop and support a national cybersecurity awareness campaign.  In October 2010 the White House, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Messaging Convention launched the campaign. The Department of Homeland Security provides the Federal Government's leadership for the campaign. Industry, government, non-profits and education institutions participate in STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Learn how to get involved at www.stopthinkconnect.org.

SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance