Data Privacy Day is here – how will you promote it?

It’s January 28th, 2011, and that means Data Privacy Day is here! The NCSA would like to celebrate this event by emphasizing ways that everyone can contribute to cybersecurity and data privacy. See which categories apply to you and check out how you can spread the word.

Home Users
• Use a suite of automatically updating security tools that includes anti-spyware, firewall and anti-virus software.
• Be sure your operating system and Web browser are set to automatically update.
• Own your online presence and limit who you share information with.

Educators
• Encourage good data privacy practices every time your students are working online.
• Incorporate data privacy lessons into your curriculum and use the USA Today cyber security lesson plans.
• Engage parents: discuss data privacy during open houses, PTA meetings, and parent/teacher conferences. Order FTC’s Net Cetera guide for parents or print out STOP. THINK. CONNECT tips and advice.

Small Business Employees
• Develop internet security policies for your business and train your staff. If you already have internet security policies, review and update them to ensure they address current threats and best practices.
• Review the NCSA/VISA small business study to see how your Internet security practices stack up against your peers.
• Publish cybersecurity tips for employees in company newsletters, corporate intranet sites, and/or through posters and handouts in break rooms and other high traffic areas.

College Students
• Back up your computer files. Make electronic copies of your files regularly so you don’t lose important assignments, cherished music, or photos. Keep backed up files in a safe, secure location away from your computer.
• Be cautious about how much information you provide on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. The more information you post, the easier it may be for a hacker to use that information to steal your identity or access your data.
• Be wary of free downloadable software and file-sharing programs. They often contain malware that can steal your information or harm your computer. Music, video and game files on these sites are often pirated, and could put you in violation of copyright laws.

College Administrators
• Publish STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Tips & Advice in the school newspaper, on the school’s main Web site, and on posters throughout campus.
• Institute policies about school email and network logons that require students to use long, complex passwords that they are prompted to change periodically.
• Ensure that all public computers on campus have the most up-to-date operating system, web browser, and security software.

Libraries
• Ensure that all computers used by the library have updated security software (anti-spyware, anti-virus, and firewall), web browsers, and operating systems.
• Host a series of cybersecurity educational events for your patrons. Consider programs for parents, children, home users and older adults.

Local Law Enforcement
• Review data privacy tips at community meetings, during roll call and as part of training.
• If citizens report cyber crimes that you don’t have jurisdiction over (such as Internet fraud or identity theft), encourage them to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Make this a standard written policy across the Department.
• Ensure that all computers used by your department have updated security software (anti-spyware, anti-virus, and firewall), web browsers, and operating systems.

Local Government
• Ask the Mayor, county executive, city council, or other appropriate elected official to issue a press release or hold a press conference to encourage citizens to seek data privacy information at local Web sites or www.staysafeonline.org.
• Have your IT department conduct annual cybersecurity training and presentations for employees and review acceptable network usage policies.
• Write an article on data privacy for publication in employee and community newsletters.

Everyone has a role to play in cybersecurity and data privacy. Fulfill yours by employing the practices that apply to you. Happy Data Privacy Day!

SSO (Stay Safe Online),
Maura