This morning in Congress: markup of the Secure and Fortify Electronic (SAFE) Data Act

From Representative Mary Bono Mack:

Responding to concerns over recent cyber attacks and other data breaches, Rep. Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) has introduced legislation to ensure American consumers are appropriately protected from data theft. H.R. 2577, the Secure and Fortify Electronic (SAFE) Data Act, requires reasonable security policies and procedures to protect personal information, and to provide for nationwide notice in the event of a security breach.

Bono Mack, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, introduced this legislation in the aftermath of several high-profile data breaches at companies including Sony, Epsilon, and Citigroup. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that nearly nine million Americans fall victim to identity theft every year, costing consumers and businesses billions of dollars annually.

“In recent years, sophisticated and carefully orchestrated cyber attacks – designed to obtain personal information about consumers, especially when it comes to their credit cards – have become one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises here in the United States and across the world. Today, Americans need new safeguards to prevent identity theft, and the SAFE Data Act will help to accomplish this goal,” said Bono Mack. “ My legislation is crafted around a guiding principle: Consumers should be promptly informed when their personal information has been jeopardized. The time has come for Congress to take decisive action. We need a uniform national standard for data security and data breach notification, and we need it now.”

The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade has scheduled a markup of the SAFE Data Act on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

The markup is open to the public and press. Opening statements, amendments, and a live webcast will be available online HERE.

NOTE: The markup has been rescheduled to 11:00 am today.