Today, organizations across the United States, Canada and Europe are all observing Data Privacy Day, created and led through Stay Safe Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance. DPD is an international effort centered on the vision of respecting privacy, safeguarding data and enabling trust. Looking back on rockier times (i.e. the past 12 months), having opportunities to recognize the need for better data privacy and security regulations and solutions eases the mind of companies across the globe.

Originally, intended to serve as an educational benchmark for raising awareness among corporations, Stay Safe Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance have since expanded their audience reach to target families, consumers and businesses, particularly around the growing engagement of social networking. Observers of this day and organizations targeted by its founders can expect promotional events and activities that stimulate the organic development of tools that enable users to take control over their own personal information. As it stands, this international celebration offers a vast array of opportunities for those interested to collaborate among governments, industry, academia, nonprofits, privacy professionals and educators.

Anyone interested in these efforts can get involved. Here’s how:

• Become a DPD Champion. Have your organization show its support of Data Privacy Day by becoming an official DPD Champion. There are more than 200 DPD Champions and counting! It’s free and only takes a minute to sign up.
• Be a leader on social media. Post privacy tips, or create your own messages, using the official Data Privacy Day hashtag #DPD15. You can also join our Twitter chats and make DPD your profile image! Get all your social media resources here.
• Attend a Data Privacy Day event in your area or virtually.
• Share privacy resources. Print privacy tip sheets to display around the home computer or office, and other public gathering places like libraries and community centers.
• Discuss privacy with your family. Have a “privacy talk” with your family, reminding everyone to “share with care.” Discuss other tips for using mobile devices and social networks responsibly. Use Data Privacy Day resources to guide the conversation.
• Promote DPD by downloading free posters, buttons, logos and other promotional materials.

Here at WinMagic, data protection and data privacy what we do and what we stand for. It’s a scary place out there and the more awareness we can raise and education we can spread on best practices for protecting personal information, the better. Happy promoting!