The Office of the Information Commissioner is to mark Privacy Awareness Week this month with a busy program of events and activities.
Privacy Awareness Week (PAW) 2018 will be celebrated in Queensland from 14 to 20 May, with the theme: Value personal data – it’s worth protecting.
The Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) is reminding us of the value of personal data, and encouraging the public sector to build a culture that respects and protects personal data whenever it’s collected, stored, used and shared.
Privacy Commissioner Phillip Green said, “Personal data has become exceptionally valuable in the digital age and needs to be protected accordingly. But the protection of personal data by the public sector requires more than just legislation.”
“While public sector agencies have a responsibility to be complaint when handling personal data, we also encourage them to take the next step and embed good privacy practices into their agency’s culture.”
“This PAW we are reminding the public sector of their privacy responsibilities and encouraging them to help create a culture that respects and protects personal data,” Mr Green said.
OIC is also looking to equip the community with the ability to protect themselves when online by hosting a series of ‘Digital Self-Defence and Privacy’ workshops run by CryptoAustralia at the Brisbane Square Library on 16 May 2018.
CryptoAustralia will teach attendees how to protect their privacy when using social media, and demonstrate how privacy settings work to protect personal information when using applications such as Facebook, Twitter and even Google.
“Information is powerful and everyone should value their privacy rights and know how to protect personal data. PAW is a timely reminder for us all,” said Information Commissioner, Rachael Rangihaeata.
Queensland’s Attorney-General, Yvette D’Ath will officially launch PAW in Queensland on 14 May 2018 at 9am.
The launch event will feature presentations from Professor David Lacey, Managing Director of IDCARE and Professor of Cyber Security at the University of the Sunshine Coast and Mr Paul McCarney, CEO of Data Republic.
Professor Lacey is an internationally recognised leading expert in identity security, financial crime and privacy protection.
He will speak to his recent research on privacy and identity breaches across Australia, in particular Queensland and provide advice on best practice for managing personal data, including the development of a new online tool for the community to proactively search for and remove their personal information when it is posted online.
Mr Paul McCarney is the CEO of Data Republic, an industry leader for over 15 years. Paul is an investor and entrepreneur in the digital technology, data and marketing space. He will be speaking on the application of applying privacy principles in the digital age.
The PAW launch event will be held at Level 41, I William Street, Brisbane.
More information and register for this free event here. Or watch it live from 9am here.
The CryptoAustralia workshops will be held at Brisbane Square Library, 266 George Street, Brisbane with sessions beginning at 9:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm. Each session will run for approximately 90 minutes.
You will need to bring your own laptop so you can participate in the practical exercises. More information and register here.
Government and non-Government agencies also have access to a range of resources which they can share with staff and stakeholders leading up to PAW 2018.
These include; posters, checklists, web banners and fact sheets and can be accessed from the OIC at this PS News link.
