Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

The Biden Administration has recently announced the implementation of a cybersecurity labeling program for smart devices. Overseen by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), this new program seeks to address the security of Internet of Things (IoT) devices nationwide. This announcement is in response to an increasing number of smart devices that fall victim to hackers and malware (AP News).

The Network and Information Security 2 (NIS2) Directive is the European Union's (EU) second attempt at an all-encompassing cybersecurity directive. The EU introduced the legislation to update the much-misinterpreted Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive (2016) and improve the cybersecurity of all member states. It signed NIS2 into law in January 2023, expecting all relevant organizations to comply by October 18th, 2024.

The European Union introduced the EU Cybersecurity Act to boost cybersecurity measures and cyber resilience across EU member states. With a digitally connected Union, having consistent regulations for cybersecurity measures across member states is vital in protecting against cyber attacks.

We recently discussed the new SEC rule requiring all registered companies to report material cyber incidents within four (4) days.

As technology advances and the use of biometric data becomes more prevalent, it is crucial to address the privacy concerns and regulatory compliance associated with this sensitive data. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) plays a key role in safeguarding individuals’ privacy rights and ensuring the responsible handling of biometric data. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can also be utilized to ensure compliance and responsible handling of biometric data.

Germany is widely acknowledged as one of the most technologically advanced nations. However, this prominence also implies a significant reliance on its critical infrastructures (KRITIS), which are essential to the smooth operation of the state and society. To safeguard these infrastructures, Germany has enacted new laws, IT Security Act 2.0 and KRITIS Regulation 2.0, that aim to improve the security of IT systems.

As we approach the end of the federal government fiscal year, it's a good time to review the legislative and policy landscape. Several updates and changes have recently arrived or are already in motion regarding cloud security and data resilience.

While there is no unitary law for cybersecurity and data protection in Germany, the cyber security landscape is held together by a combination of federal and European laws and regulations. Like every European country, Germany’s data protection is governed and enforced by the strict EU-GDPR.

In the dynamic and ever-shifting realm of cybersecurity, the Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS2 Directive) has emerged as a cornerstone framework, designed to ensure the safety of critical network and information systems across the European Union. This recent directive, which has entered into force, holds considerable significance, casting far-reaching implications for diverse sectors and entities operating within the EU.

The U.S. Federal Government passed the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C.§1030) (CFAA) in 1986 as an amendment to the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, which included the first federal computer crime statute. Since enacting the CFAA, congress and the federal government have amended the act multiple times to extend its reach and impose criminal and civil liability on additional malicious computer activities.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a U.S. federal law regulating consumer credit information collection, dissemination, and use by consumer reporting agencies. Understanding the FCRA is vital for organizations directly utilizing consumer credit information and individuals who want to exercise their rights over their personal credit information. Monitor your organization’s attack surface and stay FCRA compliant with UpGuard BreachSight >

By now you’ve heard about the new cybersecurity rules from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requiring public companies to report material cybersecurity incidents and disclose critical information related to cybersecurity risk management, expertise, and governance. Companies will be required to disclose risks in their annual reports beginning on December 15, 2023.

In 2016, the European Commission adopted the EU Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive. The directive aims to establish regulations that improve the overall cybersecurity level across Europe and was recently updated in January 2023 to a new directive called NIS2. The NIS Directive is a multifaceted legislation that applies to various industry sectors, providing regulations that help EU member states build strong cybersecurity postures.

In a world where cybersecurity threats are increasingly prevalent, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken a significant step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in how companies manage these risks. The SEC has adopted new rules requiring companies to disclose material cybersecurity incidents and provide annual updates on their cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance.

Australia is using the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act 2018) as a framework to help the country mitigate and remediate threats to the country’s critical infrastructure. This comes after several high-profile cyber attacks raised Australia’s awareness of the need for cybersecurity and the standardization of cyber security measures for priority organizations.

The Massachusetts Data Security Law (201 CMR 17.00) safeguards the personal information of Massachusetts residents. The law went into effect on March 1, 2010, and at the time, was one of the most comprehensive data privacy laws passed in the United States. Since the law’s passing, a variety of U.S. States have passed more robust data privacy legislation, including the notable California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Virginia Consumer Data Privacy Act (VCDPA).

Washington’s My Health My Data Act (MHMD Act) regulates businesses and service providers that process or collect consumer health data from state residents. The act’s broad definition of “health data” carries compliance implications for a wide range of entities, including many that fall outside the scope of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Despite being the second-largest internet market in the world, India has yet to pass a comprehensive data privacy bill. It is important to have policies and regulations in place to protect them and their right to data privacy—a right that India’s Supreme Court recognized in 2017. Since then, the country’s government has been working towards passing a bill that codifies the rights of individuals to data privacy and protection.

In September 2019, California signed Senate Bill 327, also known as the California Internet of Things (IoT) Security Law. While not an extensively written piece of legislation like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), SB-327 took effect on January 1, 2020, and focuses on manufacturers of connected devices—requiring updated security standards that protect both devices and end-users. Learn how UpGuard can help your organization update security standards and monitor risk >

As the digital landscape evolves, so too does the regulatory environment. One of the latest pieces of legislation to impact organizations across the EU is the Network and Information Security 2 (NIS 2) Directive. This directive, aimed at enhancing cybersecurity across the Union, has far-reaching implications for a wide range of organizations, both within and outside the EU.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a set of privacy and security standards put into effect by the European Union (EU). Widely accepted as the world's strictest security and privacy law, GDPR imposes regulations on organizations that target or collect data relating to people in the EU. European Parliament signed GDPR into law in 2016, requiring all organizations to comply by May 2018.