Fix Vulnerabilities
Think about service providers. If service providers
were involved, examine what personal information they can access and
decide if you need to change their access privileges. Also, ensure your
service providers are taking the necessary steps to make sure another
breach does not occur. If your service providers say they have remedied
vulnerabilities, verify that they really fixed things.
Check your network segmentation. When you set up
your network, you likely segmented it so that a breach on one server or
in one site could not lead to a breach on another server or site. Work
with your forensics experts to analyze whether your segmentation plan
was effective in containing the breach. If you need to make any changes,
do so now.
Work with your forensics experts. Find out if
measures such as encryption were enabled when the breach happened.
Analyze backup or preserved data. Review logs to determine who had
access to the data at the time of the breach. Also, analyze who
currently has access, determine whether that access is needed, and
restrict access if it is not. Verify the types of information
compromised, the number of people affected, and whether you have contact
information for those people. When you get the forensic reports, take
the recommended remedial measures as soon as possible.
Have a communications plan. Create a comprehensive
plan that reaches all affected audiences — employees, customers,
investors, business partners, and other stakeholders. Don’t make
misleading statements about the breach. And don’t withhold key details
that might help consumers protect themselves and their information.
Also, don’t publicly share information that might put consumers at
further risk.
Anticipate questions that people will ask. Then, put
top-tier questions and clear, plain-language answers on your website
where they are easy to find. Good communication up front can limit
customers’ concerns and frustration, saving your company time and money
later.
| 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 |
| Notify individuals. If you quickly notify people that their personal information has been compromised, they can take steps to reduce the chance that their information will be misused. In deciding who to notify, and how, consider: state lawsthe nature of the compromisethe type of information takenthe likelihood of misusethe potential damage if the information is misused For example, thieves who have stolen names and Social Security numbers can use that information not only to sign up for new accounts in the victim’s name, but also to commit tax identity theft. People who are notified early can take steps to limit the damage. When notifying individuals, the FTC recommends you: Consult with your law enforcement contact about the timing of the notification so it doesn’t impede the investigation.Designate a point person within your organization for releasing information. Give the contact person the latest information about the breach, your response, and how ...read more |
| Following a breach of unsecured protected health information, covered entities must provide notification of the breach to affected individuals, the Secretary, and, in certain circumstances, to the media. In addition, business associates must notify covered entities if a breach occurs at or by the business associate. Individual Notice Covered entities must notify affected individuals following the discovery of a breach of unsecured protected health information. Covered entities must provide this individual notice in written form by first-class mail, or alternatively, by e-mail if the affected individual has agreed to receive such notices electronically. If the covered entity has insufficient or out-of-date contact information for 10 or more individuals, the covered entity must provide substitute individual notice by either posting the notice on the home page of its web site for at least 90 days or by providing the notice in major print or broadcast media where the affected individuals ...read more |
| Following a breach of unsecured protected health information, covered entities must provide notification of the breach to affected individuals, the Secretary, and, in certain circumstances, to the media. In addition, business associates must notify covered entities if a breach occurs at or by the business associate. Individual Notice Covered entities must notify affected individuals following the discovery of a breach of unsecured protected health information. Covered entities must provide this individual notice in written form by first-class mail, or alternatively, by e-mail if the affected individual has agreed to receive such notices electronically. If the covered entity has insufficient or out-of-date contact information for 10 or more individuals, the covered entity must provide substitute individual notice by either posting the notice on the home page of its web site for at least 90 days or by providing the notice in major print or broadcast media where the affected individuals ...read more |
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Blog Home
Newest Blog Entries
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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