Announcing Web Analytics Demystified GUARDS

Those of you who follow my blog, my work here at Web Analytics Demystified, and my active participation in the WAA are well aware of my interest and commitment to consumer data privacy in web analytics. In addition to my role as liaison to the Standards committee within the Web Analytics Association and participation in numerous issues related to protecting personal privacy, I am also the co-author of the Web Analysts Code of Ethics.

These efforts have been primarily focused on the web analytics community in an attempt to elevate our own knowledge of how our work and actions are perceived by the outside world. And, thanks to a long-and-growing list of Code of Ethics signers, I believe that we are starting to have an impact.

Despite my participation and involvement in WAA Standards and Code of Ethics work, there has been one nagging and persistent concern: actionability. Given the right intentions, what action can business owners take to clearly express their commitment to digital consumer data privacy? There really hasn’t been anything …

Until now.

Today, I’m pleased to announce on behalf of myself, Adam and Eric – along with our partners at BPA Worldwide – that we are very proud to introduce our Web Analytics Demystified GUARDS program. This is the world’s first audit and certification for digital marketing and measurement platforms.

The GUARDS audit is a comprehensive and actionable assessment of how consumer data is flowing into – and through – the Enterprise via a wide range of online platforms and solutions. Designed primarily for the C-suite and corporate shareholders — the group at the greatest risk from privacy-related litigation but also least likely to have day-to-day knowledge of the who, what, where, when, why, and how of online data collection — the GUARDS audit provides a clear and actionable plan to ensure the highest-level of protection for consumer collected, personally identifiable data.

Those clients who demonstrate an appropriate balance of data collection and data governance will be eligible for GUARDS certification. This certification is Web Analytics Demystified and BPA Worldwide’s assurance that consumer data is being used in a respectful, appropriate, and secure manner within the business. We have built this program for companies who want to get out ahead of proposed legislation and be proactive in their commitment to the digital consumer.

More information about Web Analytics Demystified GUARDS is available on our web site.

We are incredibly excited to be partnering with BPA Worldwide on this effort and are happy to answer any questions about GUARDS that you may have. Please contact us directly to discuss the effort or to arrange a GUARDS audit for your business.

About John Lovett

John Lovett is a Senior Partner at Web Analytics Demystified, Inc. and the author of Social Media Metrics Secrets (Wiley, 2011). A former Forrester Research Analyst and current President of the Digital Analytics Association, John blogs about web analytics industry trends, strategy, business culture, and social analytics. Want to speak with John? Contact Web Analytics Demystified

Posted Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 | No responses | Share, Save or Email