Watch out! A spike in ransomware attacks may be headed our way over Labor Day weekend. Yesterday, the FBI jointly with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a warning to be on high alert for ransomware attacks this weekend, after recent targeted attacks over Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends.
Ohio Introduces CCPA-like Consumer Privacy Bill
Consumer privacy issues are as a hot as ever, and on the radar of the state and federal legislature alike. Following in the footsteps of California, and most recently Virginia and Colorado, Ohio introduced a comprehensive consumer privacy bill, the Ohio Personal Privacy Act (the “Act”). By introducing the Act, Ohio follows the growing nation-wide
The Key to NYC and Other Cities’ COVID-19 Vaccine Proof Mandates, and Potential Privacy Issues
Cities step up their efforts to combat the COVID-19 Delta variant. New York City, New Orleans, and San Francisco have all announced requirements for certain persons to produce evidence of COVID vaccination status in order to patronize or work indoors at certain establishments. Adding to an already complex patchwork of COVID-related regulation –
Biden Administration Issues Memo Focused on Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Following a series of major ransomware attacks, including against Colonial Pipeline, which provides the East Coast with 45 percent of its gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, President Biden issued a National Security Memorandum (“the Memorandum”) last week intent on improving cybersecurity for critical infrastructure systems. The Memorandum comes in follow up to the Biden Administration’s
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
Musings of Retirement Plan Fiduciaries on Cybersecurity: Episode Two
Individuals who serve as a fiduciaries to their company’s retirement plan often feel they may not be sufficiently informed or qualified to make prudent decisions for the plan. They might ask themselves: “How do I know which are prudent investments?” or “What amount of plan fees are ‘reasonable’”? Now, the DOL is requiring plan fiduciaries
DOL Has Started to Audit Compliance with Its Cybersecurity Guidelines
In April, we posted about the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) issuing cybersecurity guidance for employee retirement plans. That is, April 14, 2021. Shortly thereafter, the DOL updated its audit inquiries to include probing questions for plan fiduciaries about their compliance with “hot off the press” agency guidelines.
So, what
Colorado Becomes Third State To Enact a Comprehensive Privacy Law
Colorado is officially the third U.S. state to enact comprehensive privacy legislation, following California and Virginia. The Colorado General Assembly passed the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), Senate Bill 21-109, on June 8, 2021, and Governor Jared Polis signed it into law on July 7, 2021.
The Colorado Privacy Act takes effect July 1,
NIST Preliminary Draft Cybersecurity Framework Profile for Ransomware Risk Management Provides Risk Management Strategies
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently released a preliminary draft of its Cybersecurity Framework Profile for Ransomware Risk Management. The public comment period for this draft runs through July 9, 2021. NIST says “The profile can be used as a guide to managing the risk of ransomware events. That includes helping