FTC and California Office Of Privacy Protection To Co-Host Workshops on Data Security

On August 13, 2008, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the California Office of Privacy Protection will co-host a half-day public workshop in Los Angeles about how businesses can secure personal information and protect the privacy of consumers and employees:

"The workshop, "Protecting Personal Information: Best Practices for Business," is presented in partnership with the International Association of Privacy Professionals and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. It features business people, attorneys, government officials, privacy officers, and other experts who will provide practical guidance for businesses of all sizes on data security, privacy, best practices for developing an appropriate data security program, and responding to data breaches and other privacy and security problems."

Effective data security is critical to consumers' trust in corporate brands. Notable panelists and speakers scheduled for the workshop:

• Barbara Lawler, Chief Privacy Officer, Intuit
• Jill Phillips, Chief Privacy Officer, Chevron
• Shai Samet, President and Founder, Samet Privacy LLC
• Andrew Serwin, Partner, Foley & Lardner
• Jonathan Avila, Vice President, Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer, The Walt Disney Company
• Lt. Robert (Rocky) Costa, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Southern California High Tech Crimes Task Force
• Richard Purcell, Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Privacy Group

This workshop is timely and especially relevant, since a recent study found that corporate data breaches occur largely due to incompetence. If the FTC continues to do its job, it should co-host workshops in more states. Read about the wide range of sensitive consumer data companies archive.

I am unable to attend this workshop. If any I've Been Mugged readers attend the workshop, please post comments below.