Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
After data breaches repeatedly made headlines this past year, an American lawmaker is pushing for national legislation outlining how companies should react to hackers stealing customer information.
“Data theft is a real and serious threat facing American families,” Rep. Michael Burgess of Texas says in an article from the National Retail Federation. “We need a plan in place that will help prevent data from being stolen in the first place and will also alleviate consequences for consumers if hackers are successful.”
Recently, The Home Depot and Target were among the companies with high-profile data breaches.
Burgess’ proposed law would detail how businesses should go about informing customers of a data breach. While making moves to create the legislation, Burgess has reached out to retailers, technology companies and privacy and legal experts for input.
If made into law, the legislation would set standards for what businesses and other organizations are required to do when credit or debit card data or other sensitive information is stolen by hackers or otherwise exposed, the NRF article adds.
“A single uniform national standard for notification of consumers affected by a breach of sensitive data would provide simplicity, clarity and certainty for both businesses and consumers alike,” NRF senior vice president for government relations David French says in a recent letter to a congressional subcommittee.
To read the NRF full article, click here.
