InfoHive – Data Security

What is happening? The Federal Government has banned the use of technology from five banned Chinese companies. Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Vermont have similar state laws. Only Vermont was found to not be using the technology.  

Why is this important? The Center for Security and Emerging Technology indicate that will be virtually impossible to remove all existing software from these companies that is being used by governmental entities.

Route Fifty | Public Entities in Nearly Every State Use Federally-Banned Foreign Tech, Report Says

What is happening? Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network says 2021 is indicating ransomware attack payouts totaling $1.2Billion. That’s a  188% increase from 2020 $416 million. 2017 had $38 million. The word exponential comes to mind for the rapid increase in ransomware payouts year after year.

Why is this important? The 2nd International Counter Ransomware Initiative Summit led to the coalition of 36 countries and the E.U.  pledging to take additional steps to combat ransomware.

Cybersecurity Dive | US ransomware payments surge to $1.2B in 2021: Treasury

What is happening? Crypto has increased its lobbying efforts by 4x over the last 3 years. Questions are arising about policies that prevent a revolving door from government employee to crypto worker.

Why is this important? Congress and states have a varying rules on government employees who leave begin lobbying in the private sector. 200 government employees, from the Treasury Dept, SEC and other agencies, have left for the crypto industry.

CFO Dive | Warren wants regulators to answer for crypto ‘revolving door’

What is happening? A new state ranking lists Nevada as the most crypto-friendly state . Nevada leads the pack by having a high availability of jobs within the crypto industry; crypto-friendly legislation; & a prohibition on local taxation of blockchain technology.

Why is this important? Nevada is followed by Florida, California, New Jersey, Texas, Colorado and Illinois.

CNBC | California isn’t the No. 1 state for cryptocurrency enthusiasts—but it still ranks in the top 7

What is happening? The House of Commons (UK) has approved cryptocurrency as ” regulated financial instruments and products” as part of its proposed Financial Services and Markets Bill, its economic strategy post Brexit.

Why is this important? First, we’re still talking about Brexit? This is the first time cryptocurrency would be regulated in the UK.

CoinDesk | UK Lawmakers Vote to Recognize Crypto as Regulated Financial Instruments

What is happening? Pennsylvania Legislature passed SB696 (2022 | PA) that requires governmental entities in Pennsylvania and government contractors to notify Pennsylvanians of a data breach of personally identifiable information within 1 week. The State Attorney General would also be notified. For local governmental breaches, county attorneys should be notified within 3 days.

Why is this important? Holding government to transparency for data breaches.

Your Eerie News | Sen. Dan Laughlin’s data breach notification legislation heads to Gov. Wolf

What is happening? The Crypto Council for Innovation conducted a poll that found

• 1 in 7 voters own cryptocurrency
• 52% say more regulation is needed
• 45% want legislators to treat crypto like a serious part of the economy
• 50%+ of Blacks and Latinos have a better view of crypto and credit unions than banks

Why is this important? The crypto industry says crypto supports will have an impact on the election as support for crypto is bipartisan and across ethnic groups.

Crypto Council for Innovation | Voters See Promise of Digital Assets and Regulation, Poll Finds

CNBC | Voters want to see more crypto regulation, industry poll finds

What is happening? Texas school districts are distributing finger print and DNA collection for participating students.

Why is this important? has anyone checked whether Texas state laws protect this specific biometric and fingerprint data from disclosure or whether there are standards to protect the safety of this data?

@HoustonChron

What is happening? The Chief Information Officer for New Mexico suggests 4 questions for state agencies when they retain data.

1. What authorizes you to ask for the information?
2. How are you going to use the information?
3. With whom are you going to share the information?
4. And is disclosure of that information by you to us mandatory or optional? 

Government Technology | New Mexico Will Set Data Guidelines With ‘4 Simple Questions’

What is happening? Georgia passed HB 156 (GA | 2022) that limits access to data breach information under the state Public Information Act by excepting data breach reports from state agencies and utilities operating in the state.

Why is this important? Georgia’s legislation says this bill is further its homeland security.

Governing | A Data Breach Is Bad, But Disclosing Too Much Could be Worse