COMMERCE SECRETARY DON EVANS NAMES
CHIEF PRIVACY OFFICER
Position Demonstrates Department’s Commitment to
Protecting Privacy of American Citizens

Commerce Secretary Don Evans has named Elizabeth Prostic to be the Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) for the Department of Commerce. Prostic will oversee all Departmental activities related to the development and implementation of federal privacy laws, policies and practices.

“Protecting the privacy of American citizens and businesses is critical both on-line and off-line,” said Evans. “Private citizens as well as businesses must be assured their personal and proprietary information is being protected. I am pleased Commerce will be playing a leadership role for the federal government in this area with Ms. Prostic spearheading our efforts.”

As CPO, Prostic will facilitate communication between the chief information officers and attorneys, as well as policy and program managers across the Department. The CPO will be charged with developing a network of privacy advocates throughout each bureau within the Department, and with synthesizing privacy policies throughout the 40,000-person organization. The CPO will report directly to the Secretary.

In addition to her duties as CPO, Prostic will continue to serve as a Senior Policy Advisor to Secretary Evans providing counsel on policies and regulations concerning technology, telecommunications and intellectual property. From 1997 to 2000, Prostic served as a Majority Professional Staff Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for Chairman John McCain. She staffed Senator McCain and Senator Bill Frist, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space, on technology, electronic commerce and space policy.