Are You Privacy Aware? Data Privacy Day 2017

Data Privacy Day is held annually on Jan. 28 to create awareness about the importance of respecting privacy, safeguarding data and enabling trust. Here are a few resources to help you be more #PrivacyAware from the National Cyber Security Alliance – plus, learn how you can get involved this Data Privacy Day.

Established in North America in 2008 as an extension of a similar event in Europe, it’s held each year on January 28^th in honor of the signing of Convention 108, the “first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection.”

The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) oversees this annual event, and as such the organization plays host to a number of important community awareness-raising activities. While no one can argue that personal data protection and privacy are year-round causes, Data Privacy Day serves as a great way to kick-off your twelve-month commitment towards security.

The theme for this year’s observance is “Respecting Privacy, Safeguarding Data and Enabling Trust,” all three of which are critical areas of need for citizens and businesses alike. StaySafeOnline.org contains a wealth of information on protecting yourself, but its Data Privacy Day resources include ways to get involved at home, at work, and in your community. There are some simple measures you can take, like just changing your profile picture on your social media accounts in order to get the conversation out there, as well as some far more involved activities, like volunteer opportunities to take the message to schools, community centers, churches, and more.

One event you don’t want to miss is the 2017 Data Privacy Day Event Live From Twitter HQ. Register now for exciting TED-style talks and segments including “Scams, ID Theft and Fraud, Oh My – And Ways to Fight Back” with ITRC CEO, Eva Velasquez.

To find out more about the many ways to get involved this year, check out these resources and make plans to attend the #ChatSTC Twitter chat in order to get valuable privacy tips. More importantly, use this time to plan how you will incorporate data privacy into your everyday life, and how you will make it a lifelong good habit.