Senators Introduce New Bill to Improve Data Privacy and Security

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In the recent times, data breach incidents have become a regular occurrence, which may have adverse implications on the affected individuals. Recently, Senators introduced a new legislation in U. S Senate with the objective of dealing with identity theft, ensuring privacy, and nationalizing data breach notification. The bill titled “Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2011” also aims at enhancing penalties, and improving assistance from law enforcement to those affected by security breach incidents, unauthorized access, and fraudulent use of personally identifiable information. The bill sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy, and co-sponsored by Charles Schumer, Ben Cardin and Al Franken proposes to establish a new national standard, which would replace the existing notification requirements followed in 47 U.S states. As per the proposed law, organizations facing data breach must notify the affected individuals without unreasonable delay. As per the proposed law, reasonable delay refers to the time required to determine the scope of the security breach, prevent disclosures, and conduct risk assessment, restoring reasonable integrity of the data system, and communication to the law enforcement authorities.

In case of government contracts over $500,000, the proposed law requires the administrator of the General Services Administration to test the data privacy and security program of the third party, extent of data compromised by security incidents, and the response of the third party to security breaches.

Organizations must ensure data integrity, security and confidentiality of customer databases. Both external as well as internal agents may cause data breach incidents. Cyber-attackers exploit vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure to penetrate into an organization’s servers, and gain unauthorized access to privileged databases. Insider threat may arise from disgruntled and disloyal employees of the organization. Professionals qualified in IT masters degree facilitate timely identification of security lapses, and initiation of mitigating measures.

Employees could be encouraged to undertake Online computer degree to improve their understanding of security fundamentals, and strengthen defenses against vibrant threats from cyber-attackers.

Vibrant threats in the cyber space require proactive and pre-emptive steps. Online technology degree programs may help individuals in making themselves abreast of latest security technologies, and monitoring mechanisms. Organizations must place high emphasis on IT security, and make appropriate provisions for security breach incidents.

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EC-Council
Website: http://www.eccuni.us
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Tel: 505-341-3228

EC-Council University is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and offers Master of Security Science (MSS) degree to students from various backgrounds such as graduates, IT Professionals, and military students amongst several others. The MSS is offered as a 100% online degree program and allows EC-Council University to reach students from not only the United States, but from all around the world.

EC-Council is a member-based organization that certifies individuals in cybersecurity and e-commerce skills. It is the owner and developer of 16 security certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI) and EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)/License Penetration Tester (LPT). Its certificate programs are offered in over 60 countries around the world.

EC-Council has trained over 80,000 individuals and certified more than 30,000 members, through more than 450 training partners globally. These certifications are recognized worldwide and have received endorsements from various government agencies including the U.S. federal government via the Montgomery GI Bill, Department of Defense via DoD 8570.01-M, National Security Agency (NSA) and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). EC-Council also operates the global series of Hacker Halted security conferences.

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