Jan 25, 2021   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

National Cyber Security Alliance Kicks off Data Privacy Day This Week to Raise Awareness for Responsible Data Privacy Practices

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) kicks off its annual Data Privacy Day event on January 28, 2021. This year's initiative will highlight the state of the global data privacy landscape, examining it through the lens of the pandemic and other major events that have impacted and disrupted the way people live, work and interact. Key themes for Data Privacy Day 2021 encourage consumers to "Own Your Privacy," while urging businesses to "Respect Privacy." Both themes reinforce NCSA's focus on raising awareness about data privacy best practices through messaging, content and speaking engagements that will educate consumers about owning and controlling the data they generate, while advising businesses about the importance of respecting consumers' privacy and keeping their personal information safe.

"The pandemic has ensured that people all over the globe are more connected now than ever before. Consumers are generating more personal data through the use of devices and the businesses that power that connectivity inevitably collect and store that same data," said Kelvin Coleman, Executive Director, NCSA. "Data Privacy Day's main objective is to be a yearly call-to-action; one that spurs discussion, reevaluation and awareness about how people can keep themselves and their data safe, and to show organizations that accountability, transparency, and a commitment to fair and legitimate data collection practices will ultimately lead to enhanced public trust and better brand reputation."

Tentpole (Virtual) Event

NCSA will also host a tentpole event, in partnership with LinkedIn, for this year's proceedings entitled, "Data Privacy Day 2021: Data Privacy in an Era of Global Change," consisting of virtual panels, discussions and presentations bringing together privacy professionals across various industries, government and academia. Participants will discuss a broad spectrum of circumstances, from economic turbulence, to the pandemic, to social movements and environmental disasters, examining how each has contributed to the evolution of technology while often leaving effective data privacy considerations to the wayside.

To register as an attendee for the Data Privacy Day 2021: Data Privacy in an Era of Global Change virtual event, please visit: https://whova.com/portal/registration/datap1_202101/

Data Privacy Day 2021 Calls to Action

Individuals today feel an increasing lack of control over their personal data. In fact, according to a recent Pew Research Center study, 79% of U.S. adults report being concerned about the way their data is being used by companies. As a result, NCSA has compiled a set of tips and best practices for consumers and businesses alike to keep in mind ahead of, during and beyond this year's Data Privacy Day:

ADVICE FOR CONSUMERS: OWN YOUR PRIVACY:

    --  Personal info is like money: Value it. Protect it. Personal information,
        such as your purchase history, IP address, or location, has tremendous
        value to businesses - just like money. Make informed decisions about
        whether or not to share your data with certain businesses by considering
        the amount of personal information they are asking for, and weighing it
        against the benefits you may receive in return.
    --  Keep tabs on your apps. Many apps ask for access to personal
        information, such as your geographic location, contacts list and photo
        album, before you can use their services. Be thoughtful about who gets
        that information, and wary of apps that require access to large amounts
        of personal information. Delete unused apps on your internet-connect
        devices and keep others secure by performing updates.
    --  Manage your privacy settings. Check the privacy and security settings on
        your websites and apps and set them to your comfort level for
        information sharing. Each device, application or browser you use will
        have different features to limit how and with whom you share
        information. Get started with NCSA's Manage Your Privacy Settings page:
        https://staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/managing-your-privacy/manage
        -privacy-settings/

ADVICE FOR BUSINESSES: RESPECT PRIVACY

    --  If you collect it, protect it. Data breaches can not only lead to great
        financial loss, but a loss in reputation and customer trust. Follow
        reasonable security measures to keep individuals' personal information
        safe from inappropriate and unauthorized access. Make sure the personal
        data you collect is processed in a fair manner and only collected for
        relevant and legitimate purposes.
    --  Conduct an assessment of your data collection practices. Understand
        which privacy laws and regulations apply to your business. Educate your
        employees of their and your organization's obligations to protecting
        personal information.
    --  Consider adopting a privacy framework. Build privacy into your business
        by researching and adopting a privacy framework to help you manage risk
        and create a culture of privacy in your organization. Get started by
        checking out the following frameworks:
        --  NIST Privacy Framework
        --  AICPA Privacy Management Framework
        --  ISO/IEC 27701 - International Standard for Privacy Information
            Management
    --  Transparency builds trust. Be open and honest about how you collect, use
        and share consumers' personal information. Think about how the consumer
        may expect their data to be used and design settings to protect their
        information by default. Communicate clearly and concisely to the public
        what privacy means to your organization and the steps you take to
        achieve and maintain privacy.
    --  Maintain oversight of partners and vendors. If someone provides services
        on your behalf, you are also responsible for how they collect and use
        your consumers' personal information.

Becoming a Champion

The Data Privacy Day Champion program is a way to show support. Champions represent those dedicated to empowering individuals and encouraging businesses to respect privacy, safeguard data and enable trust. Being a Champion is easy and does not require any financial support. Champions include:

    --  Companies and organizations of all sizes
    --  Schools and school districts
    --  Colleges and universities
    --  Nonprofits
    --  Government organizations
    --  Individuals

To learn more and sign up as a Data Privacy Day Champion, please visit: https://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/become-dpd-champion/

For more information about the National Cyber Security Alliance and Data Privacy Day 2021, please visit: https://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/

About Data Privacy Day
Data Privacy Day is a global effort -- taking place annually on January 28th -- that generates awareness about the importance of privacy, highlights easy ways to protect personal information and reminds organizations that privacy is good for business. Data Privacy Day began in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. Data Protection Day commemorates the Jan. 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. Data Privacy Day is observed annually on Jan. 28. Data Privacy Day is the signature event in a greater privacy awareness and education effort. Year-round, NCSA educates consumers on how they can own their online presence and shows organizations how privacy is good for business. In 2021, NCSA is encouraging individuals to "Own Your Privacy" by learning more about how to protect your valuable data online, and encouraging businesses to "Respect Privacy", which advocates for holding organizations responsible for keeping individuals' personal information safe from unauthorized access and ensuring fair, relevant and legitimate data collection and processing.

About National Cyber Security Alliance
NCSA is the Nation's leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with a broad array of stakeholders in government, industry and civil society. NCSA's primary partners are the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and NCSA's Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; AIG; American Express; Bank of America; Cofense;; Eli Lilly and Company; ESET North America; Facebook; Intel Corporation; Lenovo; LogMeIn; Marriott International; Mastercard; MediaPro; Microsoft Corporation; Mimecast; KnowBe4; NortonLifeLock; Proofpoint; Raytheon; Trend Micro, Inc.; Uber: U.S. Bank; Visa and Wells Fargo. NCSA's core efforts include Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); and STOP. THINK. CONNECT.(TM), the global online safety awareness and education campaign co-founded by NCSA and the Anti-Phishing Working Group with federal government leadership from the Department of Homeland Security; and CyberSecure My Business(TM), which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information on NCSA, please visit https://staysafeonline.org.

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SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance