Initiatives

Achieving a common level of information security across global operations is a key challenge for inspiring confidence in Panasonic consumers worldwide. To this end, Panasonic has instituted information handling controls at 257 Group companies around the world based on common global regulations. Employees at all these companies receive training on information security. Training materials have been translated into ten languages, including English, Chinese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Spanish and Portuguese. In addition, global conferences are held twice a year to enable staff from each regional headquarters and business domain company to discuss related issues and establish cooperation.

Panasonic believes that personal information about consumers and employees must be treated with the highest priority. To this end, the 37 Group companies in Japan are working to obtain Privacy Mark certification. Based on a strict screening process, the Privacy Mark system gives a certification of approval to companies that have put in place the required standards and management systems for handling personal information. As of March 2007, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and 31 other Group companies had completed the certification process.

Information security demands operational thoroughness by all employees. Panasonic has adopted measures to promote information security to local employees, mainly through efforts by local personnel at regional headquarters. ISM professionals at each regional headquarters lead training and guidance programs and organize information security audits at the local level.