3 Acts That Every Business Owner Needs To Know About Federal Cyber-Security Laws

The importance of a strong online presence cannot be overemphasized. Your corporate website is your calling card to the world. Businesses connect with clients using the internet for marketing, allowing customers to contact them easily, sharing information about your business and enticing customers to choose your business over a competitor’s.

Whether you have a dedicated web team in-house or if you use an outside service, online security is a concern, both for the safety of your business and that of your clients. Here are three laws that impact your clients’ security online.  

Cyber-Security Laws You Should Know

Stored Communications Act: the stored communications act regulates the electronic service provider from sharing the contents of or other information about a customer’s emails or other electronic communication to private parties. It protects customers from having their information disclosed, even when presented with a civil subpoena.

Electronic Communications and Privacy Act: Often referred to together with the Stored Communications Act the Electronic Communications Privacy Act protects wire, oral, and electronic communications while they are being made, in transit, or stored on computers. It also applies to emails, telephone conversations, and other data stored electronically. Some of this information may be provided after a subpoena is obtained, but some information requires a court order or search warrant.

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: enacted in 1986 as an amendment to exiting Computer Fraud Law, this act has been further amended numerous times. As recently as 2015, President Obama proposed expanding law enforcement’s ability to fight cyber-crimes. One of the provisions of this Act makes it illegal to “having knowingly accessed a computer without authorization or exceeding authorized access, and by means of such conduct having obtained information that has been determined by the United States Government pursuant to an Executive order or statute to require protection against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national defense or foreign relations, or any restricted data…”.

As a business, you are required to ensure that your customers’ secure communications and private information is not accessible, not shared, and protected under these acts. If you have unknowingly compromised customer information or if your business has been the victim of hackers, you should contact an attorney immediately to remedy the situation, and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Vermont Business Litigation Defense Attorneys

The attorneys at Cleary Shahi & Aicher provide professional liability defense services and can help protect you and your business assets. Our attorneys are experienced in handling business litigation, medical and legal malpractice, employment matters, and more. If you are in need of information or representation, call Cleary Shahi & Aicher at 802-775-8800 today or contact us online.