California Data Breach Laws: What You Need to Know
Recent News
A new law in California requires businesses and state agencies to notify any California resident whose unencrypted personal information was acquired or reasonably believed to have been acquired by an unauthorized person.
What is a Data Breach?
A data breach is any security incident in which unauthorized parties access sensitive or confidential information.
What are the Reporting Requirements?
The new law requires businesses and state agencies to report data breaches that affect more than 250 California residents within 30 days of discovering the breach.
What Information Must Be Included in the Report?
The report must include the following information:
- The date of the breach
- A description of the breach
- The number of California residents affected by the breach
- The type of information that was accessed or acquired
- Any steps that the business or agency has taken to address the breach
What are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?
Businesses and state agencies that fail to comply with the new law may be subject to fines of up to $7,500 per violation.
How Can You Prevent Data Breaches?
There are a number of steps that businesses and state agencies can take to prevent data breaches, including:
- Implementing strong security measures
- Educating employees about data security
- Having a plan in place to respond to data breaches
What Should You Do If You Are Affected by a Data Breach?
If you are affected by a data breach, you should take the following steps:
- Contact the business or agency that was breached
- Monitor your credit reports and financial statements for any unauthorized activity
- Consider freezing your credit
Conclusion
The new California law on data breaches is an important step to protect the privacy of California residents. By understanding the law and taking steps to prevent data breaches, businesses and state agencies can help to protect their customers and clients from the devastating effects of data breaches.
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