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Seattle Information Technology

Seattle Channel Honored with NW Emmy Nominations

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Congratulations to the Seattle Channel for receiving a dozen Northwest Regional Emmy Award nominations! The municipal TV station that is part of Seattle IT got the news Friday from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The awards highlight the diverse group of the channel’s shows:

The nominations came in several categories including arts and entertainment, health and science, public affairs, politics/government, and editing and reporting.

Seattle Channel’s Interim General Manager Shannon Gee was pleased the channel was recognized for its commitment to quality journalism. “These nominations underscore the role of the station’s in-depth coverage designed to help residents stay informed, engaged and connected to their changing city. I applaud our talented team for its dedication to excellence in local programming,” said Gee.

Here is a full list of the nominations:

Environmental – Feature/Segment
Nube 9: Ian Devier, producer/photographer/editor

Arts/Entertainment – Feature/Segment
Humaira Abid: Christopher Barnes, producer/photographer/editor

Arts/Entertainment – Program/Special
Art Zone with Nancy Guppy: For the Love of Vinyl: Nancy Guppy, host/senior producer; Sheila Mullen, producer; Vincent Pierce, director/photographer; Peggy Lycett, editor

Health/Science – Feature/Segment
KO Parkinson’s: Randy Eng, producer/photographer/editor

Health/Science – Program Special
CityStream: Mobile Dentistry & Music Therapy: Norm Ohashi, senior producer; Ian Devier, producer/photographer/editor; Randy Eng, producer/photographer/editor; Mona Locke, host/reporter; Shannon Gee, executive producer

Informational/Instructional – Feature/Segment
From Syria to Seattle: Josephine Cheng, reporter/producer, Brett Whitney, photographer/editor

Public/Current/Community Affairs – Feature/Segment
Rapid Entry Rescue Swimmers: Ian Devier, producer/photographer/editor

Public/Current/Community Affairs – Program Special
City Inside/Out: Safe Injection Sites?: Susan Han, senior producer;  Brian Callanan, host/producer; Matt Peterson, photographer/editor

Technology Matching Fund Application Process is Open

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Last year’s Technology Matching Fund recipients with Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell and members of the Community Technology team

The City of Seattle offers funding to improve digital equity
 The Technology Matching Fund grants will be offered for the 21st year in a row to organizations in Seattle

SEATTLE (March 12, 2018)— The City of Seattle Technology Matching Fund program invites community organizations and nonprofits to apply for grants up to $50,000 each. The grants are designed to help improve digital equity through projects that support the community.

“From computer labs to STEM programs, job training, and teaching parents how to use a laptop or tablet, the work of these technology grants help connect communities that have limited access to technology year after year,” said Seattle Council President Bruce Harrell. “We look forward to hearing the projects this year’s applicants present.”

“We are making great strides in technology, but not all of Seattle’s population is sharing in these gains,” said Community Technology Manager Chance Hunt. “We are committed to stem the swell of economic disparity by providing better access.”

The City seeks applications for projects that increase access to free or low-cost broadband, empower residents with digital literacy skills, and ensure affordable, available, and sufficient devices and technical support. The fund gives matching dollars for community-driven projects. City funds are matched by the community’s contribution of volunteer labor, materials, professional services, or funding.

“Improving access to the internet and digital devices is a complex task in Seattle,” said Acting Director Tracye Cantrell, Seattle Information Technology. “These grants work towards ensuring that many more in the community are developing their computer literacy and getting some of the technology support they need from the City of Seattle.”

Three workshops have been set up to guide those interested in applying for a Technology Matching Fund grant. The workshops are free and will provide an overview of the grant program, explain how to apply, and guide attendees to submitting a successful application. The classes are not required for an application to be submitted, or a grant to be awarded. First time applicants are encouraged to attend one of the three scheduled classes:

Monday, March 26: 2:30 – 4 p.m.
2100 Building, 2100 24th Ave South, 98144

Thursday, March 29: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Neighborhood House High Point, 6400 Sylvan Way SW, 98126

Saturday, March 31: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Phinney Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., 98103

Interpretation and accommodations are available upon request by calling (206) 233-2751 or emailing communitytechnology@seattle.gov.

Application materials and more information are available at www.seattle.gov/tech/tmf/.

 

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Data Privacy Day: Sunday, January 28, 2018

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Today is Data Privacy Day. We’ve been posting all week about this important day the reminds us to safeguard our data. This day is also about raising awareness within the business sector to honor privacy best practices. This week we’ve had an introduction from our Chief Privacy Officer Ginger Armbruster, we’ve given you tips regarding your privacy, and tips to help with security.

This week Seattle Channel has produced a CityStream episode to mark the importance of Data Privacy Day.

Here’s a description: Cybercrime is a worldwide scourge, costing businesses and consumers billions of dollars each year. If you aren’t taking measures to protect sensitive data, you’re at risk. Many people believe hackers will attack someone else. Guess what? You may be that someone someday. Last year alone, 421 billion data records were stolen. One group going after the thieves is Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit. We go inside its Cybercrime Center, where the team pursues criminals across the globe. It’s a great example of private-sector expertise helping the public. We also offer some tips to help protect your privacy. Linda Byron reports.

Watch CityStream: Protecting Your Privacy

 

Got Privacy? Security Tips to Help Keep you Safe

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Sunday, January 28 is Data Privacy Day, a day to raise awareness and promote privacy and data protection best practices. It’s an international effort to empower individuals and business to respect privacy, safeguard data, and enable trust.

Previously, we shared some privacy tips.

The following security tips on Data Privacy Day are equally important to remember:

Universal Rules

  • If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • A bank, credit card company, or utility company will never ask for your personal information by email, whether you have an account or not, period.
  • Never give out personal information, credit card, or account numbers on calls, emails, and texts that you didn’t initiate.
  • Before clicking on any links within emails or text messages, be sure to confirm the sender is legitimate.
  • When in doubt, throw it out: Links in email, tweets, posts, and online advertising are often the way cybercriminals compromise your computer. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it’s best to delete or, if appropriate, mark as junk email.
  • Alwayz be on the looksout fer bad English and grammatical errors. 😉

Prevention

Keep a Clean Machine

  • Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats.
  • Automate software updates: Many software programs will automatically connect and update to defend against known risks. Turn on automatic updates if that’s an available option.
  • Protect all devices that connect to the internet: Along with computers, smartphones, gaming systems, and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware.
  • Plug and scan: “USBs” and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware. Use your security software to scan them.

If you think your infected act quickly! If you are notified, become aware, or suspect your computer is infected, take immediate steps to remove malware.

New Future of Privacy Forum Study Finds the City of Seattle’s Open Data Program Continues to Protect Public Privacy

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Washington, DC – Today, the Future of Privacy Forum released its City of Seattle Open Data Risk Assessment. The Assessment provides tools and guidance to the City of Seattle and other municipalities navigating the complex policy, operational, technical, organizational, and ethical standards that support privacy-protective open data programs.

“Although there is a growing body of research on open data privacy, open data managers and departmental data owners need to be able to employ a standardized methodology for assessing the privacy risks and benefits of particular datasets,” said Kelsey Finch, FPF Policy Counsel and lead author of the Assessment.

“The City of Seattle made the decision to be ‘Open by Preference,’ making it possible for problem solvers outside of government to help us find solutions to civic challenges and improve our community’s quality of life. At the same time, we must honor the privacy of those reflected in our data. We are proud to have partnered with the Future of Privacy Forum on this effort to make sure we can both open our data and maintain the public’s trust in how we collect and use their data,” said Michael Mattmiller, Chief Technology Officer, City of Seattle.

To address inherent privacy risks in the open data landscape, the Assessment includes a Model Open Data Benefit-Risk Analysis, which evaluates the types of data contained in a proposed open dataset, the potential benefits – and concomitant risks – of releasing the dataset publicly, and strategies for effective de-identification and risk mitigation. This holistic assessment guides city officials to determine whether to release the dataset openly, in a limited access environment, or to withhold it from publication (absent countervailing public policy considerations).

“By optimizing its internal processes and procedures, developing and investing in advanced statistical disclosure control strategies, and following a flexible, risk-based assessment process, the City of Seattle – and other municipalities nationwide – can build mature open data programs that maximize the utility and openness of civic data while minimizing privacy risks to individuals and addressing community concerns about ethical challenges, fairness, and equity,” Finch said.

“The City of Seattle is very grateful to the Future of Privacy Forum for their comprehensive privacy risk assessment of our open data program, and for providing a framework within which we can enhance our existing privacy protections when releasing open data to the public,” said David Doyle, Open Data Manager, City of Seattle. “We are excited to be continually improving our open data program maturity levels where needed, and to continue to act as a role model for other municipal governments when mitigating for privacy risk during the process of releasing open data.”

FPF found that the City of Seattle Open Data Program has developed and managed robust and innovative policies around data quality, public engagement, and transparency. Specifically:

  • The City of Seattle is a national leader in privacy program management.
  • The Seattle Open Data Program has developed and managed robust and innovative policies around data quality, public engagement, and transparency.
  • The Seattle Open Data Program is working to enhance its policies and procedures for consistently assessing the benefits and risks of releasing particular datasets and for assessing and mitigating re-identification risks in open data.

Currently, both Seattle’s Open Data and Privacy programs are already collaborating on a number of initiatives related to recommendations called out in the report. Additionally, the programs are also implementing an updated internal process for reviewing new open datasets for privacy risks based on the Model Open Data Benefit Risk Analysis framework. The City of Seattle is committed to this work as part of the 2018 Open Data Plan. In the coming weeks, both Open Data and Privacy programs will assess what additional recommendations to commit to addressing in 2018 and beyond.

“The City of Seattle is one of the most innovative cities in the country, with an engaged and civic-minded citizenry, active urban leadership, and a technologically sophisticated business community,” said Finch. “By continuing to complement its growing Open Data Program with robust privacy protections and policies, the City of Seattle will be able to fulfill that program’s goals, supporting civic innovation while protecting individual privacy.”

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The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for privacy leadership and scholarship, advancing principled data practices in support of emerging technologies. Learn more about FPF by visiting www.fpf.org.

Got Privacy? Tips to Protect Your Data

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This Sunday, January 28, is Data Privacy Day. Data privacy is related to how information is handled based on its importance. In this digital age we live in, data privacy is critical to protect personal information. An awareness of how a digital life can show a snippet of a real life and what is shared can have an effect on data privacy.

Here are some Privacy tips to keep in mind:

  1. Check the privacy settings on your social media sites to ensure that your info is only being viewed by people you want to see it and avoid oversharing on social media.
  2. Limit what you say about your location and plans on social media and help your children with this discipline also. You’re putting yourself at risk each time you provide dates, place, and activities associated with posts and pictures.
  3. Use complex and unique passwords and change your passwords every 60-90 days or immediately after a reported security breach. A password manager can help if you have a lot of accounts to keep track of.
  4. Keep your device operating systems and all software up-to-date. Software updates typically contain fixes for security vulnerabilities, so it is important to keep any software applications that you run up-to-date at all times in order to reduce your risk of being vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
  5. Regularly monitor activity on your online accounts.
    If you notice suspicious activity, notify the companies involved immediately. Even with other protections in place, vigilant monitoring is still often the fastest way to identify a compromise
  6. Avoid using free Wi-Fi networks, particularly in high traffic public places like cafes, airports, and similar places. If you must use an unprotected Wi-Fi network, be sure that HTTPS is enabled for any sites you visit – a good habit for all online activity.
  7. Learn to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Very common still and successful! These are emails that order or entice you to click on a link that sends you to a site that requests private information, such as credit card details and passwords.

For more information: https://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/about/

Got Privacy?

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Privacy Fact: Your credit card’s magnetic strip knows your secrets! The banking industry is finally stepping up to provide robust privacy and data protection because one of the biggest threats is the card itself. Magnetic strips contain a great deal of information that is potentially hackable.

January 28 is a good day to take stock of your data privacy. Why is that? It’s Data Privacy Day (DPD) which commemorates the January 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. Data Privacy Day is observed annually on January 28. United States and Canada began observing it in January 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe.

DPD is an opportunity to remind ourselves about the importance of data privacy and security. Awareness about how to reduce and secure the personal data we provide is critical to limiting exposure to identity theft and more.

Throughout the week, our Chief Privacy Officer Ginger Armbruster will have some tips about maintaining and protecting data privacy.

Ginger Armbruster is the City of Seattle’s chief privacy officer. She works to protect the sensitive information of Seattle residents that is collected, used, and disposed of while ensuring the City upholds its commitment to be transparent.

She earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Columbia University and a master’s degree in infrastructure planning and management from the University of Washington in 2013.

Seattle’s Civic User Testing Group Engages Residents to Provide Feedback on City Technology Tools

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Seattle residents rely on government and nonprofit websites and apps to access key information and resources, like utility accounts, housing assistance, permits, and library services. But they don’t always get the chance to provide feedback on that technology and how useful – and usable – it is for them.

Seattle’s new Civic User Testing Group (CUTGroup) aims to involve residents in the creation of technology that’s designed for public use, giving residents a voice and a chance to gain technology experience, while helping developers of this technology make it more effective. Given the growing prominence of online platforms in daily activities, technology design has become a key opportunity to address principles of inclusivity, diversity and equity.

The CUTGroup is a partnership between the City of Seattle Information Technology Department; the University of Washington iSchool; and the civic technology community group Open Seattle. It’s modeled after similar programs in Miami, Chicago and Detroit, and supports the City’s Digital Equity Initiative, which works to ensure that all residents have the opportunities and skills to participate in digital activities.

To join the CUTGroup, you just need to be a resident of Seattle — no technology experience or device ownership is required. Residents can fill out a brief form on the CUTGroup website and will be notified when a new testing opportunity is available. Test sessions will be up to an hour long and run by user experience researchers in a small-group setting. Each participant will receive a $20 Visa gift card per session.

Funding for the CUTGroup is provided by the City of Seattle Information Technology Department and will provide support for up to four test sessions for four different civic websites and apps this spring.

In order to form a diverse group of resident testers that is inclusive of all of Seattle’s communities, we’re looking for organizations interested in serving as Community Partners to help spread the word. As a partner, you can help ensure that your community is represented in the feedback provided to developers creating technology for public use, and your organization will be featured on the CUTGroup website and in each published report from our test sessions. For more information about becoming a Community Partner, please email seattle.cutgroup@gmail.com.

Learn more about the Civic User Testing Group on our website.

How to Avoid Holiday Scams

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1. Be wary of online shopping scams 

  • Is the advertised price too low to be true? Check the price for the item on other websites and see what it’s priced at on those sites. Avoid any unusual payment system for an online item, like a money order or wire transfer.
  • If you choose to pay from the website’s payment system, look for details that could indicate you are on a hacker-controlled website. There are cases when the scammers direct you to a fake payment site, so look at the web address of the page.

 2. How to stay away from gift card scams

  • Don’t click suspicious links on social media sites, even when the “special offer” comes from a friend.
  • As the saying goes, if the offer seems to good to be true, it probably is.  You can directly contact the official website of the product, or you can look it up on search engines and see what results appear.
  • Pay special attention when buying small animals, mobile devices, cars or motorbikes online, since they are some of the most used scamming items.
  • Don’t use Amazon gift card generator tools, websites or apps, they’re generally all scams.

3. How to detect charity scams

  • Check if the website is genuine before sending your money. The site may use official logos and appear as real. This doesn’t mean it is.
  • Contact charity groups directly to make your donation. Do not donate anything to intermediary people or suspicious sites.
  • If you are approached by a charity group or person and you are in doubt, check online for the organization’s name or the person’s name who requested the money.

4. How to see Christmas e-card scams for what they are

  • Pay attention to spam campaigns that try to push these phishing attempts to you.
  • If you receive a suspicious e-mail, do not open it, do not click any link or download any attachment.
  • Make sure you have not only antivirus protection, but also a good anti-spyware program.
  • Even if you receive such an e-mail from a friend, it doesn’t mean that he or she actually sent that e-mail.
  • According to the Kount Merchant Holiday Retail Guide, Cyber Monday 2017 saw the biggest increase in fraud attacks, at 134%.

5. How to identify winter holidays travel scams

  • Always buy airline tickets or book a travel offer from official travel websites.
  • If the price for the trip or for the flight may be too low to be true, it may actually be some sort of scam.

6. How to avoid Christmas screensavers bundle malware

  • Before decorating your PC with snow-laden houses, do make sure you’re visiting safe websites and not downloading anything malicious. You can do this by using a traffic-filtering software that blocks malicious websites and, of course, by having an antivirus installed.

7. How to identify shipping notification Christmas scams

  • This time of the year marks a big increase in the number of items purchased online and, at the same time, in the number of confirmation emails and shipping notifications we receive. But are all these notifications real? An email requesting an update on your shipment could be a disguised attempt to retrieve valuable information from your online banking account.
  • This email might or might not have an attachment that you are requested to download. You could be dealing with a phishing e-mail, an e-mail designed to spread ransomware or any other combination, so take precautions!

8. How to spot fake jobs, financial opportunities, and Christmas scams for loans

  • One of the busiest periods in recruitment is the holiday season. Job seekers around to world flock to job sites in order to boost their careers. Malicious hackers get a present as well: the personal details of those jobs seekers.
  • A popular method of gathering sensitive information is phishing via fake job sites. Unsuspecting victims simply give out their name, address, phone number and even SSN, thinking they’re applying for a job through an established career portal.
  • Another one is good old-fashioned emails from “recruiters” or “staffing agencies” – click the link and at best you give out your personal information, at worst you find yourself with a malware infection.