Responding to a Data Security Breach Presented By: Gerald J. Ferguson gferguson@bakerlaw.com Twitter: @JerryFergusonNY
A Simplified View of a Data Breach Theft, loss, or Unauthorized Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Non-Public Information or Third Party Corporate Information that is in the care, custody or control of the Insured Organization, or a third party for whom the Insured Organization is legally liable Forensic Investigation and Legal Review Notification and Credit Monitoring Class-Action Lawsuits Regulatory Fines, Penalties, and Consumer Redress Public Relations Reputational Damage Income Loss Discovery of a Data Breach Evaluation of the Data Breach Managing the Short-Term Crisis Handling the Long-Term Consequences
What is a Data Breach? Actual release or disclosure of information to an unauthorized individual/entity that relates to a person and that: May cause the person inconvenience or harm (financial/reputational) Names, home addresses, email addresses, usernames, passwords, family-member information, etc. May cause inconvenience or harm to your patients, employees or business partners (financial/reputational) Information that relates to patients (see above) Information that relates to current/former employees & applicants Information relating to internal matters (business plans, employment disputes, Union negotiations) Paper or electronic
Commonalities of Breaches Lost laptop or device Administrative error External attack involving hacking and malware Vulnerability created by third party vendor Not detected for months Breached entity will learn from third party Initial exploit relatively simple and avoidable
Compliance Complexity PCI-DSS HIPAA HITECH PRIVACY LAWS STATE INTERNATIONAL DATA (e.g. EU, CANADA) PROTECTION FTC GLBA STATE BREACH NOTIFICATION LAWS FERPA INDUSTRY SELF REGULATION
State Laws 46 states, D.C., & U.S. territories Laws vary between jurisdictions Varying levels of enforcement by state attorneys general Limited precedent
What is a Data Breach? (That may trigger state notification laws) Unauthorized access to and acquisition of specific types of information associated with a named individual SSN Driver's license number Credit card number Bank account Information
State Law Differences: P11 Employee ID Numbers (N. Dakota) User Name and Password (California) Other numbers or information that would permit access to financial resources (Multiple) Health Information (Multiple)
State Law Differences (Triggers) Acquisition or Access Electronic Only or Paper Risk of Harm Analysis Encryption Safe Harbor
Other State Law Differences Notification of AG or Agency Timing of Notice 45 day rule De facto 30 day rule Early notice to AG or regulator Law enforcement delay Private Right of Action Text of Notice
Massachusetts Law Written Information Security Program Encryption Requirements Chief Privacy Officer Employee training Business associate obligations
FERPA The intent of the Act is to protect the rights of students and to insure the privacy and accuracy of education records. Act applies to all institutions that are recipients of federal aid administered by the Secretary of Education No requirement to notify if education records are stolen/subject to unauthorized release, however, a record should be maintained for each disclosure (34 CFR 99.32(a)(1) Students who are or have been “in attendance” at the institution, in person, or by paper correspondence, video conference, satellite, internet, or other electronic information and telecommunications technologies for students who are not physically present in the classroom regardless of their age or status in regard to parental dependency are protected by FERPA Students who have applied to but have not “attended” an institution, and deceased students, are not protected by FERPA.
FERPA An “education record” is any record that is: Directly related to a student; and Maintained by an educational agency or institution, or by a party acting for the agency or institution. Notification may be necessary for postsecondary institutions under the FTC’s Standards for Insuring the Security, Confidentiality, Integrity and Protection of Customer Records and Information (“Safeguards Rule”) in 16 CFR part 314. Related to finanical aid records Direct student notification may be advisable if the compromised data includes student SSNs and other identifying information that could lead to identity theft
HIPAA / HITECH (“Acquisition” “Access” “Use” Trigger w/ Risk of Harm) HIPAA Privacy Regulations (45 CFR §164): Breach by a Covered Entity Applies To: A health plan, health care clearinghouse and health care provider who transmits any health information in electronic form in connection with a covered transaction. Information Covered: Unsecured protected health information – individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in electronic media or any other form or media. Definition of Breach: The acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of PHI in a manner not permitted by the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which compromises the security or privacy of the PHI. Who Must Be Notified: The patient or their personal representative, HHS and the media if more than 500 residents of a state or jurisdiction are affected. Notification Timeframe: Without unreasonable delay and in no case later than sixty (60) calendar days after the breach is discovered Preemption: Preempts state law to the extent it is more strict
Definition of Breach in Final Rule An acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of protected health information in a manner not permitted . . . is presumed to be a breach. Unless, the Covered Entity can demonstrate that there is a low probability that the PHI has been compromised based on a risk assessment. Compromise is not defined.
Definition of Breach in Final Rule Risk Assessment Documented Based on at least 4 factors The nature and extent of the PHI. The unauthorized person involved. Whether the PHI was actually acquired or viewed. Extent to which any risk has been mitigated.
HIPAA/HITECH Notification Contents 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 or by providing the notice in major print or broadcast media where the affected individuals likely reside. If the covered entity has insufficient or out-of-date contact information for fewer than 10 individuals, the covered entity may provide substitute notice by an alternative form of written, telephone, or other means. These individual notifications must be provided without unreasonable delay and in no case later than 60 days following the discovery of a breach Individual notifications must include, to the extent possible, a description of the breach, a description of the types of information that were involved in the breach, the steps affected individuals should take to protect themselves from potential harm, a brief description of what the covered entity is doing to investigate the breach, mitigate the harm, and prevent further breaches, as well as contact information for the covered entity. Additionally, for substitute notice provided via web posting or major print or broadcast media, the notification must include a toll-free number for individuals to contact the covered entity to determine if their protected health information was involved in the breach.
PCI DSS A contractual framework Industry self-regulators Card Brands Acquirers Merchants Processors Industry self-regulators A data security standard
Mandiant M-Trends 2013 Security Threat Report
PCI DSS Breaches Obligations after a PCI Breach Rapid notification to Card Companies PCI Forensic Examination Fines and penalties
Costs of Breach Response Forensic investigators Legal expenses Mailing notifications to individuals Call Centers Credit Monitoring and other compensation Crisis Management
Costs After the Breach Notice Regulatory inquiries and enforcement actions Customer questions and demands Lost profits Lawsuits
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions Is it a breach? Do you involve law enforcement? Do you hire a forensics company? Do you retain counsel? Do you involve regulatory agencies? Is crisis management necessary? Do you offer credit monitoring? Do you get relief from a “law enforcement” delay?
Questions? gferguson@bakerlaw.com 212-589-4230 Twitter: @JerryFergusonNY