2009-2010

News Release

REF NO.: 110

SUBJECT: Memorial recognizes international privacy awareness day

DATE: January 26, 2010

Memorial University is offering an open privacy training session on its St. John’s campus to recognize international Data Privacy Day on Thursday, Jan. 28.
            The fourth annual international Data Privacy Day will be celebrated at events held in major centres across Canada to raise awareness of and to promote data privacy education. Memorial has partnered with the provincial Office of the Privacy Commissioner to deliver the training seminar.
            To register for the half-day event on Monday, Feb. 1, contact Sonja El-Gohary at selgohary@mun.ca or at 737-8823. Registrations will be accepted up until Wednesday, Jan. 27. Registration is free, but space is limited.
            The event is open to anyone, but lawyers, privacy professionals or anyone whose profession requires an understanding of privacy laws – including Memorial employees -- is encouraged to attend.
            In addition to its educational initiative, Data Privacy Day promotes events and activities that stimulate the development of technology tools that promote individual control over personally identifiable information, encourage compliance with privacy laws and regulations and create dialogues among stakeholders interested in advancing data protection and privacy.
            The facilitator of the privacy training session will be Rosemary Smith, Memorial University’s information access and privacy protection co-ordinator. The event will take place in the Junior Common Room at R. Gushue Hall.
            Topics to be covered will include privacy obligations under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act with regards to the collection, use, disclosure, retention, security and accuracy of information; privacy tools to assist in compliance in terms of privacy notice, privacy compliance checklists, contractor obligations, confidentiality agreements and privacy breach protocols; as well as some case studies.
            Privacy training is mandatory for all Memorial University employees under the university’s privacy policy. This workshop would fulfill the privacy training requirement.
            A certificate of participation will be offered for continuing professional development for privacy professionals.

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