Commerce names privacy officer

Daniel Caprio, Jr., who was appointed deputy assistant secretary for technology policy at the Commerce Department in May, also was named the department's chief privacy officer today.

In his newly added role, Caprio will facilitate communication among the department's chief information officers and attorneys as well as the policy and program managers. He will be responsible for developing a network of privacy advocates within each Commerce bureau and departmentwide privacy policies.

"Caprio's experience in information security, privacy and global electronic commerce make him the ideal candidate to carry forward the administration's commitment to economic prosperity through protecting the privacy of and free flow of information," said Secretary Donald Evans, who named him to the new post.

"Protecting privacy for all Americans is a top priority for [the Technology Administration], as we meet frequently and reach out to innovation leaders and entrepreneurs as industry's portal to the federal government," Philip Bond, undersecretary for technology, said in a prepared statement. "Dan brings a wealth of relationships with industry and consumer groups along with experience at bringing people together." Caprio will continue to co-chair the awareness and outreach task force of the National Cyber Security Partnership, which is an industry initiative to develop strategies and programs to better secure the country's critical information infrastructure. He worked as special assistant and chief of staff to the Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Orson Swindle for six years.

Caprio replaces Elizabeth Prostic, former CPO and senior policy advisor on technology policy issues to the secretary, who left earlier this spring.