Cyber Security Alliance Lobbies For Data Security, Breach Notification Legislation
Members of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA) will be mobilizing in key congressional districts across the country during this week to call for immediate passage of data security and breach notification legislation.
CSIA's members will meet in the district offices of members of Congress to express the urgent need for legislation to establish national standards for safeguarding sensitive information as well as data breach notification.
The association's national grassroots campaign in support of data security legislation comes at a time when consumers are facing growing threats to their privacy and personal information. Since 2005, more than 165 million records have been compromises due to data security breaches.
"Data breaches continue to occur at every kind of organization -- schools, government agencies, health care providers, small businesses and large retail stores. It is time for Congress to act," said CSIA President Tim Bennett. "The continuing absence of a national data security law leaves consumers vulnerable to identity theft and threatens the security of personal data."
Strengthening the security of data and notifying consumers when breaches occur has bipartisan support in Congress. Several bipartisan bills currently under consideration would provide a realistic and effective legal framework for organizations of all sizes. Some 40 states have varying requirements covering data security and breach notification but the vast majority of these laws only address the problem after personal data has been compromised.
"Legislation should require public and private entities to implement strong security measures to prevent breaches before they happen," Bennett said. "We are confident that congressional leaders will act in bipartisan manner to protect consumers and business by enacting meaningful data security and breach notification legislation in the 110th Congress."