NC State to celebrate Data Privacy Month 2021

Data Privacy Month 2021Nowadays, people depend heavily upon the convenience of digital technologies — smartphones, computers, video streaming and conferencing, social media platforms, email, and geo-mapping services. This convenience comes with a price tag, and the tradeoff is usually one’s privacy. 

When you use these technologies, you leave digital snapshots of your online activities. Legitimate entities as well as cybercriminals can track and collect data on what you read, what music you listen to and where you’ve been. Some entities use your digital profile to sell or promote a service to you, while others use it to perform a nefarious act, like stealing your identity.

In celebration of Data Privacy Month, Jan. 28 to Feb. 28, the Office of Information Technology (OIT), along with the NC State Department of Computer Science, ePartners Program, LabCorp, and MetLife, will co-sponsor “Your Privacy Matters” to empower you with tools and the knowledge necessary to protect your privacy, control your digital footprint, and determine who is tracking you. 

Thomas Risenpart
Ristenpart

On Thursday, Feb. 4, Thomas Ristenpart, an associate professor at Cornell Tech and in the Computer Science Department at Cornell University, will present the keynote address, “Mitigating Technology Abuse in Intimate Partner Violence,” from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. online. 

In his talk, Ristenpart will discuss how abusers exploit technology to control, harass, stalk, and otherwise harm their current or former partner. He will also discuss how his research group works with technology companies and lawmakers to affect positive changes and how they have implemented a new interventional approach, called clinical computer security. Their Clinic to End Tech Abuse works in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence to help survivors navigate technology abuse and, ultimately, empower their use of technology. 

Ristenpart’s research spans a wide range of computer security topics, with a recent focus on digital privacy and safety in intimate partner violence, cloud computing security, improvements in authentication mechanisms, confidentiality and privacy in machine learning, and applied and theoretical cryptography. His work is routinely featured in the national media and has been recognized with a number of distinguished awards.

See more Data Privacy Month events below.

Your Privacy Matters

Mitigating Technology Abuse in Intimate Partner Violence (Zoom Recording)
Thursday, Feb. 4, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 

During NC State’s Data Privacy Month keynote address, Thomas Ristenpart, an associate professor at Cornell Tech and in the Computer Science Department at Cornell University, will discuss how abusers exploit technology to control, harass, stalk, and otherwise harm their current or former partner. He will also discuss how his research group works with technology companies and lawmakers to affect positive changes and how they have implemented a new interventional approach, called clinical computer security. Their Clinic to End Tech Abuse works in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence to help survivors navigate technology abuse and, ultimately, empower their use of technology. To register for this event, visit REPORTER.

Privacy Checkup Sessions

  • Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

When was the last time you had a data privacy checkup for your mobile device? Just like it’s a good idea to have an annual health check at your doctor’s office, it’s important to make sure your device and data are protected as well. Join information security experts from OIT and the NC State Department of Computer Science to learn how to assess your data privacy status, the six mobile device security settings that everyone should know about, and campus resources available to help to protect your privacy.

To register for both events, visit REPORTER.

Are You Being Stalked in Cyberspace? (Zoom Recording)
Friday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Are you concerned about how much of your information is in cyberspace, who is tracking your data and how they are collecting it? A panel of NC State and industry partners will discuss the data tracking ecosystem and the growing concerns with privacy in cyberspace. Panelists will include: 

  • Mike Jung, J.D., Office of General Counsel, NC State
  • Damon Armour, director of OIT Information Security Risk & Assurance, NC State
  • Dr. William Enck, associate professor, NC State Department of Computer Science
  • Dr. Anupam Das, assistant professor, NC State Department of Computer Science
  • Dr. Julie Earp, associate professor of information technology, NC State Poole College of Management 
  • Chuck Kesler, chief information security officer, Pendo.io
  • John Rote, director of incident response cyber team, MetLife

To register for this event, visit REPORTER.

What's your cyber score?
What’s Your Cyberscore?
Take this quiz to determine if you’re putting your data at risk in cyberspace and what you can do to protect yourself online. Tips to secure your data will be provided.

Managing Privacy with Mobile Apps

Julie Earp, associate professor of information technology in the NC State Poole College of Management, provides tips to manage your privacy when using mobile apps.