Reed Smith is proud to announce the launch of its sixth podcast channel, Tech Law Talks. The channel will present in-depth, practical observations on tech and data legal trends that practitioners encounter every day. Tune in for regular discussions led by the firm’s technology lawyers about the legal and business issues around data protection, privacy … Continue Reading
Beginning in November 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) has confirmed that new solicitations will include the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Despite the impact of COVID-19, this confirmation indicates that the DoD is intent upon ensuring the protection of certain critical information and shoring up protection of its critical networks and supply chain. … Continue Reading
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has updated its guidance on access requests and whether such requests are manifestly unfounded or excessive, providing further clarification to the definitions in the guidance and on how data controllers should respond to such requests. We summarise the key points below. Background A data subject has rights under the Data … Continue Reading
Background In light of the growing concern over cybersecurity and the increasing complexity of medical device supply chains, the Medical Device Coordination Group has released updated guidance on cybersecurity for medical devices (the Guidance) (link here). The Guidance is intended to supplement the essential requirements listed in Annex I of the Medical Devices Regulations (Regulations … Continue Reading
Vermont’s Security Breach Notice Act is noteworthy because it has the United States’ shortest deadline for providing preliminary notice of a “security breach” to the state’s attorney general. The deadline is 14 days from discovery of a security breach. Security incident response teams commonly consider the Vermont law early in the response process to determine … Continue Reading
On March 17, 2020, the federal government relaxed a number of telehealth-related regulatory requirements due to COVID-19. On April 3, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-43-20 (the Order), which relaxes various telehealth reporting requirements, penalties, and enforcements otherwise imposed under state laws, including those associated with unauthorized access and disclosure of personal … Continue Reading
As the U.S. economy and educational system adapt to work and life at home, it is important to remember that cybersecurity (and related privacy) risks remain and are evolving. Remembering to think through measures that are in place to protect personal information, proprietary information, confidential information, and information needed for ongoing operations can help businesses … Continue Reading
On January 6, 2020, the Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Bureau of Consumer Protection, Andrew Smith, published a blog post highlighting recent changes to the Commission’s enforcement orders relating to data security. Industry leaders, law practitioners, Congress, and even the courts have been critical of aspects of the Commission’s data security orders. In … Continue Reading
With the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) coming into effect on January 1 and the announcement on 14 January from Google that it will be phasing out third party cookies within the next two years, it seems that 2020 will be a significant year for the adtech industry as industry players react with solutions and … Continue Reading
According to a report issued last week, tens of thousands of cannabis dispensary customers’ personal data has been exposed following a data breach of a sales system that at least three (and likely more) cannabis dispensaries may have used to manage their sales to customers. Our recent client alert highlights the increasing threat that cyber … Continue Reading
A top goal for 2020 is to review and negotiate your directors and officers (D&O) (and other) insurance policies to make sure they are as favorable as possible from a coverage and pricing perspective. (See Make a few small yet substantial plans: five steps to managing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and other risks in 2020.) … Continue Reading
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office has published a draft Code of Practice on Direct Marketing, which is now out for consultation. Here we discuss the context for this and key takeaway points from its 120+ pages. Read more about this topic in our recent client alert. … Continue Reading
As we look toward a new year and a new decade, advertisers will need to be a step ahead of the market, in order to keep up with changing trends, a world impacted by an increased sensitivity to privacy and the use of data, and consumers who have grown savvy to influencer marketing and product … Continue Reading
According to experts, most New Year’s resolutions fail because sweeping change is difficult. Rather, the best results come from taking small steps. Here are five small steps to take to make sure your directors’ and officers’ (D&O) coverage can tackle potential cyber risks. Review your coverage program from last year. Endorsements, policy provisions, and pricing … Continue Reading
Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has announced that data breach notification will soon become mandatory in Singapore. However, not all breaches need to be reported. We have prepared this guide to aid businesses in understanding when, to whom and how to notify should they encounter a data breach. As further guidance and details on … Continue Reading
As part of Reed Smith’s webinar series on crisis management, on Wednesday 6 November 2019, partners Tom Webley, Philip Thomas and John M. McIntyre delivered a webinar to clients on data breaches, cyber attacks, and potential responses to such incidents. Our recent client alert focuses on the key themes arising out of the webinar and … Continue Reading
The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has been supporting the European Union (EU) Member States in developing, implementing and evaluating their cyber security strategies. Since 2012 and as part of this support, ENISA has been developing tools, studies and guidelines to help EU Member States build on their national cyber security strategies. The latest … Continue Reading
In a continued pursuit for cybersecurity compliance, New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James has sued Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. (franchisor of Dunkin’ Donuts) over two data breaches in 2015 and 2018, accusing the company of mishandling a series of cyberattacks that together compromised more than 320,000 customer accounts. In the complaint filed last week, AG … Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recently announced settlement with background check provider SecurTest, Inc. shows the agency remains vigilant regarding businesses’ claims that they comply with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework (Privacy Shield). Privacy Shield provides U.S. businesses with a legally recognized mechanism for receiving personal data in the United States from the EU. In … Continue Reading
They are the stars of the young generation, brand ambassadors for organizations and leaders on social media: influencers. With their strong presence on social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, influencers have a power that pays off. Thousands of users follow the day-to-day posts of their role models. Influencers are becoming increasingly important … Continue Reading
On May 7, 2019, Governor Jay Inslee of Washington signed HB 1071 into law, which strengthens the state’s data breach notification law. Washington joins the growing list of states that have recently amended their breach notification laws. Although Washington’s law was amended in 2015, the law was initially enacted nearly 14 years ago. This amendment, … Continue Reading
On January 25, 2019, a settlement agreement was reached between a utility company, which allegedly violated the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards, and the North American Reliability Corporation (NERC). Through this settlement, NERC provides guidance to the electric industry for compliance with the CIP Reliability Standards. The substantial penalties should prompt companies to educate … Continue Reading
In recent months, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has emphasized cybersecurity as both an enforcement priority and corporate responsibility, demonstrating its continued focus on the need for issuers to have sufficient measures in place, including up-to-date compliance and incident response programs in order to maintain the integrity of the capital market system. The … Continue Reading
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a draft update to its premarket cybersecurity guidance for device makers on October 18, 2018. The expanded draft guidance includes recommendations on tiered classification of cybersecurity risk, trustworthiness, cybersecurity bill materials, and device cybersecurity labeling that are specific enough to be helpful to manufacturers while at the same … Continue Reading
