WASHINGTON — Legislation spearheaded by Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., would establish a federal standard that requires businesses to tell their customers about a data breach in a “timely manner.”
“We all love the ease of using credit cards and all the values of technology, but with technology comes a whole set of new issues,” Warner said.
There are similar laws on the books around the country on the state level, but there is no universal rule that applies nationally.
“We have now got a hodgepodge of different rules,” said Warner.
“I actually believe that we can get something done on this.”
The bill would set minimum data security standards.
According to Warner, the key hurdle is getting both the retail and financial industries on board.
The legislation by the Warner, who was in the tech industry before entering politics, is one of a number of data-breach bills being circulated on Capitol Hill that focus on how companies should respond after they are hit by hackers.
