Wednesday, January 26, 2022

The IAPP Global Privacy Summit


The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) is a global organization that provides resources for individuals in data protection and privacy. More specifically, it offers virtual networking opportunities, online training, and certification programs to help professionals manage risks and protect data. The IAPP also hosts several events, the most prominent of which is the Global Privacy Summit.

The IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2022 is scheduled to take place April 12 and 13 in Washington, DC, and will include more than 85 education sessions, 125 exhibitors, and 200 expert speakers. Session topics will cover groundbreaking developments in privacy with an emphasis on international data transfers, global legislative updates, global privacy program management, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and health care privacy. Attendees can register for two days of training and active learning on April 10 and 11.

Those interested in participating in the Active Learning Day on April 11 can sign up for full- or half-day sessions. Programs on this day are informal and collaborative. Specific sessions include "Harnessing the Power of Metrics: Measuring and Reporting for Program Success," "AI for Privacy Professionals," and "Designing the Metaverse for Privacy." The latter is a four-hour session in which immersive technologies experts, including Facebook deputy CEO Rob Sherman, will discuss concerns of data protection in augmented and virtual reality and present ideas on implementing safety in the metaverse.

Attendees are invited to participate in the Summit Run and Walk from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. on April 12 and a networking breakfast afterward from 8 to 9:30. IAPP Central, the R&R Lounge, Information Booth, IAPP Engagement Hub, and the Meet-Up Lounge will be open throughout the day for attendees to mingle and relax between sessions. Morning meet-ups are available for privacy professionals working in specific sectors.

First-day sessions include "Privacy Risks in M&A," "What Really Happens When You Call the FBI During a Breach," and "Using Customer Health Data to Develop and Improve AI." The latter, led by Change Healthcare CPO Joseph Ashkouti and Davis Wright Tremaine partner Adam Greene, will cover the possibilities and limitations of health data and AI under HIPAA and other privacy laws and customer contracts.

Diversity is another important topic at the IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2022. The event will feature casual meet-ups for women and members of the LGBTQ community in addition to a one-hour session titled "Diversity, Mentoring, and Development: Critical Elements in the Privacy Industry." This session will be led by four privacy professionals who understand the value of diversity in the workplace. Attendees can ask questions and learn how to make their organizations more diverse.

Malcolm Gladwell and David Olusoga are the keynote speakers for the two-day conference. Gladwell, once listed among the world's 100 most influential people by TIME magazine, has authored six New York Times bestsellers, including The Tipping Point and Talking to Strangers. Olusoga is a professor of public history at the University of Manchester and the writer of Black and British: A Forgotten History. He also has produced and directed historical documentaries for BBC Radio.

Friday, January 7, 2022

A Brief Tourist's Guide to Japan


Besides being one of the world's most advanced industrialized nations, Japan has a rich and intriguing history dating back thousands of years. Tokyo is a city that is always looking forward, pushing the limits of what is feasible on a highly populated island by building ever taller and sleeker skyscrapers. It is Japan's most popular destination for modern art and drinking, and entertainment. However, the city itself attracts visitors more than any single sight. The city stretches as far as the eye can see. It is constantly evolving, and with so many different areas, no two visits are ever the same.

Naoshima is one of Japan's great success stories. It is a tiny island on the verge of becoming a ghost town that has been transformed into a world-class contemporary art center. Several of Japan's most renowned architects have contributed structures, including museums, all of which are intended to complement the island's existing populations. It has also prompted several Japanese to relocate to Naoshima to operate cafés and inns to live a simpler life outside the main cities.

Mt Fuji (or Fuji-san) is regarded as one of Japan's most treasured landmarks. Hundreds of thousands of people climb the sacred volcano every year, carrying on a centuries-old practice of its pilgrimage.

Yakushima is a small island off the coast of southern Kyushu that many describe as captivating. The Yakusugi, an old cedar peculiar to the island, whose gigantic roots form alien-like tentacles, may be found here, along with part of Japan's last primeval woodland. In addition, hiking routes run beneath them, covering rugged terrain typically covered with moss. The environment here is thought to have been a source of inspiration for Studio Ghibli's renowned animated feature Princess Mononoke.

Compared to the rest of Japan, Okinawa and the Southwest Islands provide a unique experience. Between Kysh and Taiwan, this semi-tropical archipelago forms an arch. They founded their nation – the Ryky Empire – until Japan seized them in the 19th century. The most excellent beaches in Japan, such as those in Ishigaki, are found here, with sugar-white sand bordering palms and turquoise waters.

Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, is known for its street food: don't miss the takoyaki, the city's hallmark dish. But, along the canalside strip Dtombori, it also offers one of the most striking nightscapes: A stunning display of LED lights and flashing video screens.

Kamikochi is a highland river valley surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Northern Japan Alps, and it is one of Japan's natural landscapes. Easy day treks through calm willow, larch, and elm forests are offered along the pristine Azusa-gawa. The cradle of Japanese alpinism, Kamikōchi is also the gateway for more arduous hikes up some of the country's biggest mountains. Private cars are prohibited in Kamikchi, reducing the impact on the pedestrians.

Despite wars and natural disasters, much of Japan's rich culture has been preserved, and a trip to Japan can be an incredible adventure, offering a terrific investment of time with an unending list of top attractions.

The IAPP Global Privacy Summit

The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) is a global organization that provides resources for individuals in data prot...