The cybersecurity panel at next week’s Canadians Connected event will feature four experts across sectors. I asked our panelists, what can internet users do today to protect their online privacy?
Next week at Canadians Connected 2018, CIRA is bringing together industry experts to talk about cybersecurity and privacy.
The panel is an opportunity for attendees to join the discussion and ask their burning questions about how to protect themselves online. The panel includes experts in technology, education and the public service, featuring:
- Amanda Maltby, Canada Post’s General Manager of Compliance and Chief Privacy Officer.
- Michael Geist, law professor at the University of Ottawa where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law.
- Dave Chiswell, CIRA’s vice president of product development.
- Nicole Verkindt, founder of Offset Market Exchange (OMX) and keynote of Canadians Connected.
I asked some of our panelists their top tips for protecting privacy online. This is what they shared with me.
1. Store passwords securely by using a password management system.
Nicole Verkindt: I recommend Last Pass. Ensure you are being vigilant about where you keep sensitive information and who has access to what information.
2. Use two-factor authentication for all services that offer it.
Michael Geist: This is a two-step verification process, which requires you to provide two different authentication facts to verify yourself and better protect your information.
3. Minimize how much personal information you share online.
Michael Geist: Provide only information that is strictly necessary. Be critical about where and why you’re sharing information online and mask identity where possible.
4. Get an SSL certificate for your website.
Dave Chiswell: A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate authenticates the identity of a website and allows secure connections from a web server to a browser by encrypting information such as passwords. Websites with an SSL certificate get the added s, which stands for “secure” at the end of the “https” and are granted the green padlock on web browsers. Without an SSL certificate, any data collected through your website is vulnerable to be intercepted by a nefarious third party. You may also be scaring visitors away from your website, as Google Chrome now issues warnings to users when they are visiting a non-HTTPS site.
Curious to learn more from our panelists? Join the discussion on September 27 at Canadians Connected. Participate in this free afternoon of learning, influencing and connecting.
Don’t miss out, register today!
Erica works in corporate communications at CIRA. Her background is in writing and community relations in the non-profit sector. She is a graduate of Carleton University’s journalism program.
