CyberShare: The Small Broadband ISAC today announced its commitment to Data Privacy Week 2023 by registering as a Champion. As a Champion, CyberShare recognizes and supports the principle that all organizations share the responsibility of being conscientious stewards of personal information.
Data Privacy Week is an annual expanded effort from Data Privacy Day—taking place from January 22–28, 2023. The goal of Data Privacy Week is twofold: to help citizens understand that they have the power to manage their data and to help organizations understand why it is important that they respect their users’ data.
“As operators of critical communications infrastructure serving millions of rural Americans, small broadband providers are engaged and motivated to improve their company’s cybersecurity and data security posture,” said NTCA General Counsel and Vice President of Policy Jill Canfield. “CyberShare helps by bridging gaps in education and awareness of risk management principles, and we are excited to join Data Privacy Week to continue promoting data privacy and cybersecurity best practices with our more than 80 small broadband provider participants and others online.”
CyberShare will be sharing data privacy best practices on social media, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance has offered up the following themes to help guide individuals and businesses:
Data: The Story of You
All your online activity generates a trail of data. Websites, apps, and services collect data on your behaviors, interests, and purchases. Sometimes, this includes personal data, like your Social Security and driver's license numbers. It can even include data about your physical self, like health data – think about how a smartwatch counts and records how many steps you take.
While it's true that you cannot control how each byte of data about you and your family is shared and processed, you are not helpless! In many cases, you can control how you share your data with a few simple steps. Remember, your data is precious, and you deserve to be selective about who you share it with!
For Businesses: Respect Privacy
Respecting the privacy of your customers, staff, and all other stakeholders is critical for inspiring trust and enhancing reputation. According to the Pew Research Center, 79% of U.S. adults report being concerned about the way their data is being used by companies. By being open about how you use data and respecting privacy, you can stand out from your competition.
Telecom providers also have a legal obligation to protect customers’ personal information. To help protect this information, providers can design settings to protect customer information by default. Providers should also communicate clearly and concisely to the public what privacy means to your organization, as well as the steps you take to achieve and maintain privacy.
For more information about Data Privacy Week and how to get involved, visit https://staysafeonline.org/programs/data-privacy-week/.
About CyberShare
CyberShare promotes the resiliency and continuity of operation of small network operators across the United States by collecting and disseminating threat information, indicators and mitigation strategies from a variety of public and private sources and facilitating communications among participants. Working closely with industry partners, the federal government and other stakeholders, CyberShare helps small broadband providers recognize, analyze and respond to vulnerabilities, threats and other risks. Learn more at www.cyber-share.org.
About Data Privacy Week
Data Privacy Week began as Data Privacy Day 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. NCA, the nation's leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness, leads the effort in North America each year. For more information, visit https://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-week/.
About the National Cybersecurity Alliance
The National Cybersecurity Alliance is a non-profit organization on a mission to create a more secure, interconnected world. We advocate for the safe use of all technology and educate everyone on how best to protect ourselves, our families, and our organizations from cybercrime. We create strong partnerships between governments and corporations to amplify our message and to foster a greater “digital” good. For more information, please visit https://staysafeonline.org.