PV in the News

Privata Vox founder Robert Johnson will travel to Adelaide this September where he will share his unique perspective on data processor management at the Records and Information Management Professionals of Australia annual conference. (RIMPA).

With the theme, "I'M The Next Wave: Leading the Future,” RIMPA LIVE 2024 is intended to represent a convergence of visionary ideas, innovation, and the pivotal forces shaping the landscape of Records, Information, and Data Management.

Johnson’s session, “The DNA of Globally Compliant Data Processor Management,” will focus on the importance of recognizing, qualifying, and monitoring data-related service providers, and the increasing merits of adopting a globally compliant approach.

This is the second time Johnson has been invited to speak at the annual RIMPA conference. At the association’s Melbourne event in October of 2019, he spoke on the role of data processor due diligence.

Against the backdrop of its annual conference in Nashville, i-SIGMA presented R. Stephen Richards with the Robert Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor reserved for professionals who have a career-long track record of outstanding contributions to the advancement of records and information management.

In commenting on the recognition, Richards said, “My reaction was complete surprise ... thinking quickly about my history with the many companies that brought us to where we are today, thinking about all those who were so important to our profession, many of whom are no longer with us, and for those who helped me so much in the past and made it all possible. It was an emotional moment and a humbling experience, and one that gives me particular pride, being named after my friend, Bob Johnson, who over the many years, coached me, helped me, and assisted in making me a better operator and business owner. I owe Bob a lot, and for me, being honored like this is very special.“

This marks only the second time this honor has been presented by i-SIGMA, the first being when it was presented to the award’s namesake, Robert Johnson, the founder and longtime CEO of NAID.

About i-SIGMA: The International Secure Information Governance & Management Association (isigmaonline.org) is a global trade organization representing more than 2,000 commercial records management and secure disposition service provider locations worldwide. i-SIGMA was formed in 2018 by the merger of the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) and the Professional Records and Information Services Management Association, International (PRISM, International).

The recent edition of Recycling Today features an article by Bob Johnson titled, “A More Secure Future,” (pg. 46) explaining how emerging breach notification requirements will change the way organizations manage IT asset disposition.

In an article published today by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Privata Vox founder and Principal Advocate Robert Johnson, CSDS, CIPP/US, describes the trends and forces that will soon alter the prevailing enterprise IT asset disposal (ITAD) model.

Access the full article here: The flawed IT asset management paradigm: Key considerations for privacy professionals

Veteran-owned Shred America, LLC, one of the largest and fastest growing isecure data destruction service providers in the US, has selected Privata Vox, LLC to fulfill its Data Protection Officer (DPO) obligation.

According to Ryan Richard, Shred America’s founder and CEO, retaining Privata Vox exemplifies the company’s ongoing commitment to aggressive regulatory compliance and to superior client service. “With Privata Vox as our company’s DPO, not only do we better address our clients’ compliance requirements, but we are also held to a higher level of scrutiny and have immediate, real-time access to one of the most highly regarded data protection and privacy experts in the world. As always, we felt that our clients deserved the best.”

Privata Vox Founder and Principal Advocate Bob Johnson echoes Richard’s sentiments. “Every data protection regulation either expressly or implicitly mandates that data processors designate a qualified professional to be responsible for regulatory compliance. The same can be said for NAID AAA Certification and the PCI Data Security Standards. Most service providers appoint an employee with little expertise or accountability. Others ignore the obligation altogether. The fact that Shred America is taking this responsibility so seriously reflects their continued dedication to industry leadership and I am proud to be associated with them.”

The concept of an outsourced DPO dates to the EU Data Protection Directive in the 1990s. The fiduciary role has, however, gained significantly more importance after becoming an enforced requirement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). And, because of the GDPR’s borderless aspect, it is now incumbent on data controllers in the US doing business in the EU to verify their data processors have the required DPO. More recently, and hastening the trend in the US, ten states have now enacted GDPR-like regulations, with an equal number preparing to do the same. Most privacy experts anticipate this trend to continue, culminating eventually in nationwide legislation.

As Shred America’s DPO, Privata Vox will assist with the company’s compliance with relevant regulations and with the company’s own policies, raise executive awareness and train staff involved in direct processing operations, assist with subcontracting due diligence, and interface with authorities and clients on regulatory and standards requirements.

Shred America Partner, Ray Barry, believes the relationship with Privata Vox goes beyond regulatory compliance. “Once we realized where the regulations were going and what was needed, our decision to retain Privata Vox boiled down to what was best for our clients. Given Bob Johnson’s unequalled pedigree and acumen, both our team and our clients have access to one of the world most recognized information destruction authorities.”

Privata Vox founder and Principal Advocate Bob Johnson is best known as the founder and longtime CEO of NAID and architect of globally recognized NAID AAA Certification. A short list of his career highlights includes appearing before the US Senate Financial Service Committee hearings on data security, addressing the Federal Reserve on data disposition, and being invited to advise the Federal Trade Commission on the Fair and Accurate Consumer Transaction Act’s (FACTA) Final Disposal Rule.

About Shred America (shredamerica.com)
Founded with the commitment of being the premier on-site secure destruction company in the regions it serves, veteran-owned Shred America is currently one of the largest and fastest growing independent secure data destruction services in the United States. From its humble beginnings only seven years ago, by providing superior customer service, applying operational efficiency and state of the art equipment, and employing highly motivated first responders and military veterans, Shred America now provides data destruction service to clients in North and South Carolina, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Louisiana. The company has also built a network of high-quality, like-minded service providers – Shred America Partners – to serve clients in 48 contiguous states from coast-to-coast that are drawn to the company’s high standards and civic mission.

During a ceremony at i-SIGMA’s recent conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, President Bowman Richards announced that the association’s top honor, the “President’s Award,” would henceforth be known as “The Robert Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award.”

In commenting on the name change, Richards said, “This award is meant to recognize a lifelong contribution to the advancement of information governance and management. Bob Johnson, as the founder and long-time CEO of NAID/i-SIGMA, and as the primary architect of NAID AAA Certification, personifies that ideal, and it is fitting that he be associated with this award in perpetuity.”

Johnson, who recently retired after 27 years as NAID/i-SIGMA CEO, was present for the announcement, where he was also presented with the award now bearing his name.

In accepting, Johnson said, “It is truly humbling to be honored for doing something I loved so much, especially when whatever success I had was due to the guidance of so many generous and capable board members and the hard work of an incredible staff.”