Notify Appropriate Parties
When your business experiences a data breach, notify law enforcement, other affected businesses, and affected individuals.
Determine your legal requirements. All states, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have enacted
legislation requiring notification of security breaches involving
personal information. In addition, depending on the types of information
involved in the breach, there may be other laws or regulations that
apply to your situation. Check state and federal laws or regulations for
any specific requirements for your business.
Notify law enforcement. Call your local police
department immediately. Report your situation and the potential risk for
identity theft. The sooner law enforcement learns about the theft, the
more effective they can be. If your local police aren’t familiar with
investigating information compromises, contact the local office of the
FBI or the U.S. Secret Service. For incidents involving mail theft,
contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Did the breach involve electronic personal health records? Then
check if you’re covered by the Health Breach Notification Rule. If so,
you must notify the FTC and, in some cases, the media. Complying with the FTC’s Health Breach Notification Rule
explains who you must notify, and when. Also, check if you’re covered
by the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule. If so, you must notify the
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and,
in some cases, the media. HHS’s Breach Notification Rule explains who
you must notify, and when.
| Covered entities and business associates must only provide the required notifications if the breach involved unsecured protected health information. Unsecured protected health information is protected health information that has not been rendered unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized persons through the use of a technology or methodology specified by the Secretary in guidance. This guidance was first issued in April 2009 with a request for public comment. The guidance was reissued after consideration of public comment received and specifies encryption and destruction as the technologies and methodologies for rendering protected health information unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals. Additionally, the guidance also applies to unsecured personal health record identifiable health information under the FTC regulations. Covered entities and business associates, as well as entities regulated by the FTC regulations, that secure information as specified by the guidance are relieved from providing notifications following the breach of such information. ...read more |
| When your business experiences a data breach, notify law enforcement, other affected businesses, and affected individuals. Determine your legal requirements. All states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have enacted legislation requiring notification of security breaches involving personal information. In addition, depending on the types of information involved in the breach, there may be other laws or regulations that apply to your situation. Check state and federal laws or regulations for any specific requirements for your business. Notify law enforcement. Call your local police department immediately. Report your situation and the potential risk for identity theft. The sooner law enforcement learns about the theft, the more effective they can be. If your local police aren’t familiar with investigating information compromises, contact the local office of the FBI or the U.S. Secret Service. For incidents involving mail theft, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Did the ...read more |
| In today's interconnected world, data breaches are an unfortunate reality. Whether it's a sophisticated cyberattack or a simple human error, the unauthorized access to sensitive information can have devastating consequences for individuals and organizations alike. While prevention is paramount, knowing how to respond effectively in the aftermath of a breach is equally critical. A key aspect of that response is data breach reporting. Why is Data Breach Reporting So Important? Data breach reporting is the process of notifying relevant authorities and affected parties about a security incident that has compromised personal or sensitive data. It's more than just an administrative formality; it's a legal obligation in many jurisdictions and has a profound impact on: Protecting Individuals: Prompt reporting allows affected individuals to take necessary steps to mitigate potential harm, such as changing passwords, monitoring their credit reports, and being vigilant against identity theft.Legal Compliance: Numerous laws and regulations, like ...read more |
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1/21/25 Healthcare Data Breaches and Their Devastating Impact
1/21/25 Your Essential Guide to Data Breach Reporting Procedures
1/21/25 Understanding Your Obligations in Data Breach Reporting
11/16/22 Administrative Requirements and Burden of Proof
11/16/22 Notification by a Business Associat
11/16/22 Breach Notification Requirements
11/16/22 Unsecured Protected Health Information and Guidance
11/16/22 Guidance to Render Unsecured Protected Health Information Unusable, Unreadable, or Indecipherable to Unauthorized Individuals
11/16/22 Definition of Breach
11/16/22 Breach Notification Rule
11/16/22 Notify Individuals
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