On January 28, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) officially leads Data Privacy Day, an international effort held to create awareness about the importance of respecting privacy, safeguarding data, and enabling trust. Year-round, NCSA educates consumers on how they can own their online presence and shows organizations how privacy is good for business. NCSA’s privacy awareness campaign is an integral component of STOP. THINK. CONNECT. ™ ‒ the global online safety, security, and privacy campaign.

As part of this campaign and a way to officially show support for data privacy, NCSA created the Data Privacy Day Champion program. Champions represent those dedicated to empowering individuals and encouraging businesses to respect privacy, safeguard data and enable trust. Upon looking at this list, it has been identified that several ICMA-recognized local governments have signed up as Champions, including:

• City of Springfield, Missouri
  •  CAO- Mr. Gregory Burris
• City of Sarasota, FL
  • CAO- Mr. Thomas Barwin
• City of Virginia Beach, VA
  • CAO- Mr. David Hansen
• County of San Mateo
  • CA, CAO- Mr. John Maltbie
• Forsyth County Government, NC
  • CAO- Mr. J. Watts, MPA

Thank you to these communities and local government leaders who are playing a powerful role in helping your local community be safer and more secure online.