EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Christine Cowper - Principal Consultant
Christine Cowper is Principal Consultant with Information Integrity Solutions Pty Ltd. She brings a strong background in privacy compliance and privacy policy development to IIS. She has a reputation for providing well- founded practical advice and has recognised expertise in managing privacy complaint investigations, conciliation and privacy audits.
As principal consultant with IIS Christine has worked on a wide range of projects. These include: Privacy Impact Assessments involving use of new technology, development of data governance policies and procedures and government policy initiatives; the development of privacy strategies and managements plans; and the development of thinking about privacy. Christine has work with clients in both the public and private sector and on topic areas including identity management, data analytics, ehealth, health information registers, law enforcement and e-government.
Before joining IIS in 2007 Christine held senior positions with the federal Office of the Privacy Commissioner. During her sixteen years with the Office she held senior roles, most recently heading up the Office's compliance section and before that in policy. She has managed or worked on critical Office projects and activities including:
- Managing the Office's complaint handling and audit programs, including reviewing the Office's approach to complaint handling and implementing the review recommendations.
- Developing guidelines for the conduct of data-matching programs, linking Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits information and use of Public Key Infrastructure in transactions with clients; and
- Drafting submissions to Parliamentary and other inquiries, major papers or speeches on a wide range of matters including implementation of the Privacy Act, legislation with privacy impacts, forensic procedures, SPAM, direct marketing, telecommunications interception, and management of electronic information
Christine has extensive knowledge of the Privacy Act 1988 and privacy principles and a depth of practical experience in applying privacy principles in policy work, investigating individual complaints and to privacy audits. In recent years she has also worked closely with other regulators including the Ombudsman and industry dispute resolution bodies. In addition she has a sound background in analysing legislation, services and programs, developing policy, working with stakeholders, and organising consultations, and writing reports and other documents.
Before joining the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Christine held senior roles with the Department of Community Services And Health (now Health and Aged Care). Her other experience includes roles with the Federal Public Service Board and in credit management and commercial lending.