The Department of Defense published the final version of its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) rule last week. This rule establishes the parameters of the program and timeline for implementation. A separate rule to finalize associated contract requirements is expected early to mid-next year. For a deep-dive into noteworthy takeaways for the Final Rule, see our analysis here. Here are some highlights:Continue Reading Countdown to Compliance: The Department of Defense Finalizes Its Cybersecurity Program Rule

The New York Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) recently published guidance on managing cyber risks related to AI for the financial services and insurance industry. Though the circular letter does not introduce any per se “new” obligations, the guidance speaks to the Agency’s expectations for addressing AI within its existing cybersecurity regulations. Continue Reading NYDFS Speaks Out on AI and its Cybersecurity Risks

The EU Regulation on horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements, the so-called Cyber Resilience Act, has been officially adopted on 10 October 2024 and will be published in the EU’s official journal in the coming weeks. This law will impose important obligations on manufacturers of connected products and those placing them onto the EU market. Implementation will begin in 2026 for certain portions of the law, and continue until 2027/2028 for some provisions. There are several elements for a company to keep in mind, which we have outlined below.Continue Reading EU Cybersecurity Regulation Adopted, Impacts Connected Products

Tennessee has joined a handful of other states to provide certain safe harbors in the cybersecurity realm. Unlike others, the law sites beside -but does not modify- the states’ data breach notification law. Also unlike others, the safe harbor is very narrowly tailored, and is not triggered by having a data security program.Continue Reading Impact of Tennessee’s Cybersecurity Class Action Safe Harbor

Much of the focus on US privacy has been US state laws, and the potential of a federal privacy law. This focus can lead one to forget, however, that US privacy and data security law follows a patchwork approach both at a state level and a federal level. “Comprehensive” privacy laws are thus only one piece of the puzzle. There are federal and state privacy and security laws that apply based on a company’s (1) industry (financial services, health care, telecommunications, gaming, etc.), (2) activity (making calls, sending emails, collecting information at point of purchase, etc.), and (3) the type of individual from whom information is being collected (children, students, employees, etc.). There have been developments this year in each of these areas.Continue Reading Mid-Year Recap: Think Beyond US State Laws!

The Biden Administration recently issued an Executive Order aimed at protecting American’s sensitive information and certain US Government data from threats posed by foreign actors. Of note is the Order’s focus on data brokers that may share data in bulk with foreign entities and/or individuals.Continue Reading New Program Under Biden Executive Order to Prevent Access to American’s Sensitive Personal Data by Foreign Actors

From the expansion of “general privacy” laws in US states and concerns over cross-border data transfers, to global focus on artificial intelligence, surveillance and dark patterns, 2023 was a busy year. Our privacy team tracked these developments and more during 2023, and we have put together this complete resource that includes our summaries of all of the privacy law developments from 2023.Continue Reading Privacy Day 2024: A Look Back at Developments from 2023

The Department of Defense published a much-anticipated Proposed Rule at the end of last year for its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. The proposed rule is our first comprehensive look at the latest iteration of the CMMC program (referred to as CMMC 2.0), which will become effective once final changes are made to DoD regulations for contractors. The program attempts to streamline the various DoD cybersecurity requirements and provide greater flexibility in the certification process.Continue Reading Defense Department Outlines Its Future Cybersecurity Program

The SEC has now finalized its much anticipated rules for public companies’ cybersecurity disclosures. The final rules, published this month, require disclosure of certain cybersecurity incidents much sooner than under many other breach notification regimes. Additionally, the final rules require new periodic disclosures about a company’s processes to assess, identify, and manage material cybersecurity risks and about the roles of management and the board of directors in managing or overseeing those cybersecurity risks. These new requirements vary from the SEC’s prior (2018) guidance, and unlike in the past, are now codified under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933.Continue Reading SEC Gives Finality on Cybersecurity Disclosures for Public Companies

In response to a constantly-evolving cyber threat landscape, the Biden Administration recently announced the launch of a new cybersecurity labeling program – the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program – in an effort to enhance transparency and protection against cyber threats in the growing Internet of Things (“IoT”) device space.Continue Reading Cybersecurity Labeling Program to Increase Transparency of IoT Device Security

The US Department of Health and Human Services recently updated its guide to help the private and public healthcare sectors develop cybersecurity protocols that address NIST’s Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. The guide is a toolkit, with information and resources intended to help companies implement cybersecurity programs in the health care space. While the aim of this guidance is to help companies implement NIST’s protocols for protecting US critical infrastructure, the recommendations contained in the guide mirror other agencies’ security recommendations (for example those we have written about from the Department of Labor and the FDA).Continue Reading HHS Releases Cybersecurity Guide