NASCIO Once Again Champions Data Privacy Day

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) will take part in celebrating Data Privacy Day by once again becoming a Data Privacy Day (DPD) Champion. Data Privacy Day is held each year on January 28 to commemorate the 1981 signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. As a committed Champion of Data Privacy Day, NASCIO will promote this international effort to create awareness about the importance of privacy and protecting personal information. NASCIO recognizes and supports the principle that organizations, businesses and government all share the responsibility of being conscientious stewards of personal information by respecting privacy, safeguarding data and enabling trust. 

Data Privacy Day is part of a greater effort, the National Cyber Security Alliance’s (NCSA) #PrivacyAware campaign, which helps consumers understand how they can own their online presence and reminds businesses that privacy is indeed good for business. Data Privacy Day is the signature event in a greater privacy awareness and education effort. NASCIO joins the growing global effort among organizations, corporations, educational institutions, government entities, municipalities and individuals to raise awareness. All DPD Champions will work toward the common goal of improving consumer and business consciousness while encouraging and empowering all digital citizens to be #PrivacyAware.

“Data Privacy Day is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of privacy and protecting personal information. We encourage all state Chief Information Officers (CIO) to participate in this international event,” stated West Virginia Chief Privacy Officer and NASCIO Privacy and Data Protection Working Group co-chair Sallie Milam.

In addition to becoming a DPD Champion, NASCIO continues to hold monthly calls with its Privacy and Data Protection Working Group, which was formed last year. This group highlights privacy issues of importance to state CIOs and their teams. The working group is a subcommittee of the NASCIO Cybersecurity Committee.

DPD and the #PrivacyAware campaign are spearheaded by the National Cyber Security Alliance, a nonprofit, public-private partnership dedicated to promoting a safer, more secure and more trusted Internet. For more information about how to get involved in DPD and the Champions program visit https://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/. You can also follow the campaign on Twitter at @DataPrivacyDay or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DataPrivacyNCSA and use the official hashtag #PrivacyAware to join the conversation.