Defending consumer trust: Companies to rally at cybersecurity forum
Posted on | July 7, 2010 | add a comment
Another step toward coalescing public awareness about cyberthreats and forming partnerships to more effectively defend the Internet is about to be taken.
Last Watchdog has just been informed of the agenda and list of speakers for the 5th annual Online Trust & Cybersecurity Forum to be held this fall in the nation’s capitol. White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt will give the keynote address, as some of the nation’s top business, government and technology executives convene to discuss consumer trust, privacy and security
“Consumer trust is one of the primary enablers for continuing the global economic growth driven by the Internet,†says Symantec CTO Mark Bregman, another speaker at the event. “A strong public/private partnership between government and business is a key element for ensuring online trust for consumers.”
Framework for information exchange
The Online Trust and Cybersecurity Forum is intended to help develop “the framework necessary for the exchange of information needed to make that kind of partnership successful,†says Bregman.
The event will bring together e-commerce companies, governmental agencies, financial institutions and marketers to discuss how to better protect consumers online, and thus protect their brands from emerging threats.
Through a mix of keynote, plenary and breakout sessions, attendees will learn the latest techniques and best practices, evolving issues in security, privacy and data governance, and strategies for decision-makers to use to align business and marketing goals with technical solutions.
Other speakers will include Josh Glantz, VP and General Manager of Publishers Clearing House; Randal Rothenberg, CEO of the Interactive Advertising Bureau; Trevor Hughes, Executive Director IAPP; Larry Clinton, President of the Internet Security Alliance; Ari Schwartz, VP and COO, Center for Democracy & Technology; Jessica Rich, Deputy Director, Federal Trade Commission; and James Van Dyke of Javelin Research.
Knowledge sharing
“For more than 50 years Publishers Clearing House has been a leader in direct marketing. It is precisely because we are experts in online consumer privacy and data governance that we have been able to retain and grow our audience as our business evolves to multiple-channel direct marketing,” says Glantz. “I am looking forward to sharing this knowledge and helping marketers better understand how to protect their brand and their consumers from potential threats.”
A highlight of the Forum will be the annual Online Safety Awards program. Co-sponsored by Symantec and Message Systems, these awards recognize companies, individuals and organizations for their contributions to the trust ecosystem. Nominations are being accepted until August 31st.
“As consumers increasingly assert their sovereignty over their data and preferences, building and retaining consumer trust has never been more important,†says Craig Spiezle, executive director of OTA. “Left unchecked we risk a consumer trust meltdown. The Forum will elevate critical business practices that show promise towards protecting users, the Nation’s critical infrastructure and the long-term vitality of the Internet.â€
In conjunction with the Forum, OTA will be hosting the OTA Training Academy on Wednesday Sept 22, offering two half-day training programs on email authentication and email regulatory compliance. Taught by industry leaders, the Academy is a mix of curriculum based instruction, theory, practical applications and hands-on exercises. Participants will have the option to take a certification exam at the conclusion of the program with recognition at the Award’s program.
The Forum will be held on September 22 -24 at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Registration is open to the public. Register before August 1st and save $200.
The event is being sponsored by OTA members including; Better Advertising, Box Sentry, Direct Marketing Association, DigiCert, Infragard, Intersections, Internet Identity, Lashback, MarkMonitor, Message Systems, Microsoft, Perkins Coie, PreferenceCentral, Return Path, Symantec and TRUSTe.