President Obama has announced initiatives focused on cyber security. In the State of the Union Address, the President directed Congress to pass legislation to prevent cyber attacks, thwart identity theft and protect the information of children.
One step toward enhancing cyber security is a fact sheet issued by the White House entitled Safeguarding American Consumers & Families. The initiatives include
- Improving Consumer Confidence by Tackling Identity Theft. A new legislative proposal, the Personal Data Notification & Protection Act would introduce federal breach notification standards for customers when their personal information has been exposed. This would establish a 30 day notification requirement upon discovery of a breach and implement a nation-wide breach notification standard.
- Identifying and Preventing Identity Theft. Consumers would have access to free credit scores.
- Student Digital Privacy Act. Information collected in the educational context would be used only for educational purposes.
- Voluntary Code of Conduct for Smart Grid Customer Data Privacy. Utilities and third party electric providers will have to follow certain rules with respect to electricity customer data.
- Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights. Online interactions will be governed by stated rules.
Cyber security is coming to the forefront of issues that are important government initiatives. Employers should stay up to date on new laws and regulations that govern consumer data and privacy requirements.