Welcome to Privacy Awareness Week (PAW) 2-8 May 2010

A Message from Privacy NSW’s Principal Privacy Officer to all FOI/Privacy Contact Officers

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to Privacy Awareness Week (PAW) 2010. PAW is an annual event which is an opportunity for agencies to raise awareness about the importance of privacy obligations of staff within the workplace, and to educate individuals about how to better protect their privacy including 'privacy security'.

This year’s focus is “Keeping your identity safe”, and is directed at all individuals. From Monday 3 May 2010 there will be a self-testing 'on-line' toolkit available which people can use at their leisure. The Toolkit contains specific personal privacy risk areas such as: wallets, on-line shopping and credit card safety. You receive an assessment on completion of the test and your risk of identity theft. The toolkit will be accessible from a link on this website.

With the Media currently highlighting Internet scams, card skimming and hoax emails etc, the toolkit provides tips on how to keep your personal information safe.

Privacy Awareness Week is a joint Asia Pacific Privacy Authority (APPA) initiative.

I will be launching Privacy Awareness Week within New South Wales at 9.30am Monday 3 May 2010, agencies are invited to contact us for hardcopy resources and other information, promoting and fostering Privacy Awareness Week.

I look forward to re-enforcing aspects of privacy protection and education with you all at the upcoming Forum later this Month. I would encourage you all to access the attached link and take the test.

John McAteer
Principal Privacy Officer
Privacy NSW

IDTheft poster

Stopnthink poster

ID Theft Online Toolkit