The New York “Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act” (SHIELD Act), N.Y. Gen Bus. Law§ 899-bb, requires businesses that collect private information on New York residents to implement reasonable cybersecurity safeguards to protect that information. While this is a new law in the State of New York, it is simply joining other states, … Continue Reading
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu recently signed the New Hampshire Insurance Data Security Law, which “establishes the exclusive state standards applicable to licensees for data security, the investigation of a cybersecurity event…, and notification to the commissioner.” The law is applicable to all persons or entities licensed, authorized to operate, registered or required to be … Continue Reading
In the footsteps of San Francisco’s ban of the use of facial recognition technology, the cities of Somerville, Massachusetts, Oakland, California, and Berkeley, California are considering banning the use of facial recognition technology by municipal agencies. The proposed ban is in the midst of more and more cameras and smart technology being used for traffic … Continue Reading
Two law firms were among the latest victims of the GozNym malware attack that caused a combined loss of more than $117,000. Law enforcement authorities recently announced the dismantling of a cybercrime network that used this GozNym malware to attempt to steal an estimated $100 million from victims in the United States and around the … Continue Reading
Following in the footsteps of the New York Department of Financial Regulation (NYDFS) in enacting cybersecurity requirements for the financial services industry, and in response to massive data breaches in the insurance industry, a wave of states have either enacted or are pursuing legislation aimed at regulating the cybersecurity measures of insurance companies. In 2017, … Continue Reading
We write about data breaches and privacy issues all the time. We are desensitized in some ways to the fact that our privacy may have been, or will be, compromised and, quite frankly, many people now distrust some of the very companies with which they shared their information. California led the way regarding privacy legislation … Continue Reading
It has long been standard practice to include data privacy and security due diligence in mergers and acquisitions for technology companies. Over the last several years, there has been an increase in data breaches which are costly and damaging to a company’s brand, and therefore, we have seen an uptick in companies including detailed requests … Continue Reading
Although the Massachusetts Data Security Regulations went into effect March 1, 2010, I still find that many companies have not implemented a Written Information Security Program (WISP) and don’t know that they are required to do so. According to the regulations, any companies or persons who store or use personal information of a Massachusetts resident … Continue Reading
In the decades that followed the enactment of the Homestead Act of 1862, more than 1.6 million U.S. citizens and intended citizens filed applications with the U.S. government to lay claim to 160 acres of land guaranteed to each applicant willing to settle, farm and improve the lands. Settlers quickly encountered a major problem. The … Continue Reading
Many are lamenting not purchasing bitcoin now that its value has skyrocketed. Yesterday, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin warned investors to stay away from investing in bitcoin, as he considers it a financial bubble that is a gamble for investors. Galvin stated: “It’s simply a creation of a vehicle which doesn’t exist backed by … Continue Reading
Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that three Chinese citizens have been charged for attempting to hack into seven law firms involved in mergers and acquisitions to pilfer information to use for insider trading. The suspected hackers were successful in hacking into the information systems of two unidentified … Continue Reading
The Connecticut State Police have taken the lead in training police dogs skilled in the art of detecting hidden data. As more and more crimes involve electronic evidence, criminal enforcement agencies throughout the country are recognizing the need to find that evidence quickly. Data detecting dogs help do this by sniffing out chemicals associated with … Continue Reading
