ISACA Vancouver Chapter Announces BC AWARE CAMPAIGN 2015

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - Jan 30, 2015) - ISACA Vancouver is uniting information technology, IT security, privacy, governance, and risk assurance organizations in British Columbia and creating a major privacy and security awareness initiative that each participating organization can embrace as its own. The BC AWARE CAMPAIGN will bring the privacy and security communities together to raise public awareness with a "Calendar of Events" held in various locations throughout the province from February 4-13, 2015.

"Through the collective efforts of all we are offering a grass-roots, made-in-BC series of events that will align with International Data Privacy Day on January 28, 2015, and the Government of BC's 16th Annual Privacy & Security Conference to be held in Victoria from February 11-13, 2015," said Imad Jebara, ISACA Vancouver President.

Participating organizations include local chapters of ISACA, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Association of Canadian Archivists (ACA), VanSecSIG, (ISC)², Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), BC Privacy Professionals, Management Information Systems Association--Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, Thompson Rivers University, British Columbia Institute of Technology, the Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner, Reboot Communications, and the BC Ministry of Technology, Innovation & Citizens' Services.

The BC AWARE CAMPAIGN seeks to encourage greater cooperation between all levels of government, industry and education as we face today's privacy and security challenges.

"The threat landscape has evolved into an almost untenable business risk. We must do more in all areas, and this includes educating the public, as well as engaging young people to enter into the cybersecurity profession. The BC AWARE CAMPAIGN is designed to achieve both of these objectives, and I am personally looking forward to visiting Victoria to be part of the discussion."
- Robert Stroud, International President, ISACA

"It's important for government to continually make improvements to protect a person's right to personal privacy and data security. The BC AWARE Campaign is a unique, community-based project that will help engage and inform more people about their rights. Congratulations to ISACA Vancouver and its affiliates for putting together such an impressive line-up of events."
- Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services

"It is inspiring to see so many organizations come together in support of the BC AWARE Campaign. In addition to increasing public awareness, these events promote the exchange of ideas, and will help form new partnerships based on the value of privacy and data security as a public good. I look forward to participating in this valuable series of events."
- Elizabeth Denham, Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner

BC AWARE Platinum Sponsors
ISACA Vancouver has partnered with industry leaders Cisco (www.cisco.com) and Coast Capital Savings (www.coastcapitalsavings.com), who are backing this initiative with their collective resources and influence as Platinum Sponsors. The net proceeds from these and other BC AWARE CAMPAIGN 2015 sponsors (EY, Fortinet, TELUS, Long View Systems, IPS Networks, Boardwalk Communications, Softchoice, & GuruCul) will be invested in ongoing educational outreach programs to encourage more young people to enter into the privacy and cybersecurity professions.

"ISACA has a reputation for strong community leadership and innovative IT governance and cybersecurity training programs. The BC AWARE Campaign is an example of how government, education and industry can make a difference when they come together and take action to raise awareness around privacy and security concerns. Cisco is proud to participate and sponsor privacy and security events such as BC AWARE, and I am personally looking forward to contributing in Victoria on February 12."
- John N. Stewart, Senior Vice President, Chief Security & Trust Officer, Cisco

"With the technology options now available, banking doesn't require a physical location," explains Erwin Martinez, Chief Information Officer at Coast Capital Savings. "We encourage our members to bank through our various mobile channels. You can't beat the convenience. However, it does come with a different set of privacy and security concerns. Having a campaign dedicated to educating British Columbians on the risks and how they can protect themselves is fantastic. It is a dual responsibility, and Coast Capital Savings will continue to aggressively invest in the protection of our members and their finances."
- Erwin Martinez, Chief Information Officer, Coast Capital Savings

ISACA Vancouver and its affiliates would like to encourage the media to help promote the importance of privacy and security awareness in the Province of BC by attending BC AWARE CAMPAIGN events where the speakers and ISACA representatives will be available for comment.

Please visit our web-site: www.bcaware.ca