Efforts to secure systems and data from a cyberattack often focus on measures such as multifactor authentication (MFA), endpoint monitoring solutions, antivirus protections, and role-based access management controls, and for good reason. But there is a basic principle of data protection that when applied across an organization can significantly reduce the impact of a data
Preventing “Credential Stuffing” Attacks, Guidance from NY State Attorney General Letitia James
After reading New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Business Guide for Credential Stuffing Attacks (“Guide”), I promptly reminded my family (and myself!) to change passwords. The practice of using the same password for multiple online accounts is one that most, if not all of us, use from time to time. According to a recent study,
Does a Poor ESG, Social Responsibility Rating Increase an Organization’s Cyber Risk?
With ransomware and other cyber threats top of mind for most in the c-suite these days, a question frequently raised is whether a particular organization is a target for hackers. Of course, nowadays, any organization is at risk of an attack, but the question is whether some organizations are targeted more than others. A recent
Does Your Cyber Insurance Policy Look More Like Health Insurance?
Over the past several years, if your organization experienced a cyberattack, such as ransomware or a diversion of funds due to a business email compromise (BEC), and you had cyber insurance, you likely were very thankful. However, if you are renewing that policy (or in the cyber insurance market for the first time), you are
Responding to the Kronos Cyber Attack – What Should Employers Be Thinking About?
The leaders of our Wage & Hour Practice, Justin Barnes Jeffrey Brecher and Eric Magnus collaborated with us on this article.
According to reports, Kronos, the cloud-based, HR management service provider, suffered a data incident involving ransomware affecting its information systems. Kronos communicated that it discovered the incident late on Saturday, December 11, 2021,
FTC Issues Final Rule Amending the Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information
On October 27, 2021 the FTC issued a final rule (the “Final Rule”) amending 16 CFR Part 134, Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information (“Safeguards Rule”), after a period of notice and comment. While the existing Safeguards Rule imposes a general obligation on financial institutions to maintain an information security program, the Final Rule outlines these
DOJ Announces Cybersecurity Enforcement Initiative Targeting Federal Contractors
Last week, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced the launch of its Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative (“the Initiative”) aimed at combating “new and emerging cyber threats to the security of sensitive information and critical systems” specifically targeting accountability of cybersecurity obligations for federal contractors and federal grant recipients, by way of the False Claims Act. The
Health App Alert: FTC Expands Scope Health Breach Notification Rule
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently issued an important policy statement to health apps and other connected devices that collect or use consumers’ health information. The FTC’s policy statement effectively clarified the position that health apps and related connected devices are subject to the Health Breach Notification Rule (“the Rule”), which requires vendors of personal
As Facial Recognition Technology Surges, Organizations Face Privacy and Cybersecurity Concerns, and Fraud
Facial recognition technology has become increasingly popular in recent years in the employment and consumer space (e.g. employee access, passport check-in systems, payments on smartphones), and in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the need arose to screen persons entering a facility for symptoms of the virus, including temperature, thermal cameras, kiosks, and other devices
Connecticut Enacts Safe Harbor from Punitive Damages in Data Breach Cases
Effective October 1, 2021, Connecticut becomes the third state with a data breach litigation “safe harbor” law (Public Act No. 21-119), joining Utah and Ohio. In short, the Connecticut law prohibits courts in the state from assessing punitive damages in data breach litigation against a covered defendant that created, maintained, and complied with