Category Archives: 2015 legislation

Texas New Data Leaders at Agencies near you

2 big data security steps from the 2015 Legislature:

  • SB1844 creates the Interagency Data Coordination and Transparency Commission.
    • staff from 10 legislative agencies
    • will evaluate how data is reported, shared, classified and used in the state.
  •  HB1912 created the statewide data coordinator position at DIR to oversee data at all agencies.

State Tech Magazine

Data Security Veto

One of Governor Abbott’s line item vetoes struck $5,000,000 in funding for University of Texas Center for Identity.  The Center seeks to limit impact of data security breaches.

The Governor’s rational: “If The Center þr ldentíty is a príority, the University may use íts appropriationfor ínstitutional enhancement, leverage public-private partnerships, or allocate other resources þr this purpose. “

Governor Abbott Budget Vetoes   UT Center for Identity

Student Data Protection: No Fear; Congress is Here to Save the Day. Education Vendors Beware.

U.S. Senators Hatch & Markey this month filed a measure to protect student data. Following suit is Senator Vitter. 

Hatch & Markey focus on amending FERPA. Yes, that FERPA at issue in the UT System/Wallace Hall debacle. The Senators’ Protecting Student Privacy Act seeks to:

  • Require that “data security safeguards be put in place to protect sensitive student data tha…

Lege Trend: Expand Definition of Personal Information to Trigger Notification

Nevada is the most recent state to expand the definition of personal information that trigger data security laws. 

The expanded definition includes:

  • individual’s medical identification number or health insurance identification number and
  • a user name, unique identifier or email address with its associated password, access code or security question and answer that would permit access to an online account

This reflects a growing trend to include ema…

Data Security Sample Bills: Protect Minors, Students, Health Care Data & More

In 2014 California passed a number of data security bills to protect students, consumers and patients, including:

  • Privacy Rights for California Minors in the Digital World (California’s SB 568)

    •  Prohibits marketing or advertising alcohol, firearms and tobacco to minors

    • Prohibits using, disclosing, or compiling a minor’s personal information (or permitting a third party to do so).

    • Intended…

Kerfuffle: Financial Institutions v. 6 Retailer Groups- Which Bears the Financial Burden for a Data Breach?

The fighters for financial institutions:   Independent Community Bankers of America  

The fighters for retailers: Retail Industry Leaders Association, National Retail Federation, National Grocers Association,  Merchant Advisory Group, National Association of Convenience Stores, Food Marketing Institute, &  National Restaurant Association 

 Why did the kerfuffle start: Banks assert that they absorb the heaviest burden “f…

Data Security Legislation Predictions for Financial Institutions

Legislation predictions from Bankers: 

  • Banks required to appoint chief information security officers
  • Banks to undergo quarterly tests for information system vulnerabilities
  • Required review of these third-party contracts and relationships
  • Standard set of protocols that banks must follow
  • Tort issues like: 
    • assign legal duties and responsibility
    • illuminate investor or shareholder disclosure obligations

    • <...

Data Security Experts: Longterm Political & Legislative Reform

Data breaches. There’s a new one every week. Cybersecurity experts say the only way to address the issue is long term legislative and political reform.  Bruce Schneier, a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard says there should be more regualtion on business to secure our personal information. What does those regulations looks like?

  • Causes of Action for consumers against the business.
  • Government imposed penalties against businesses. 

    • …