Scope: Applies to any person conducting business in Florida who possesses or maintains “personal information” of a Florida resident in electronic form. “Personal information” includes various identifiers like names, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, health information, and more.

Breach of Security: Defines a “breach of security” as unauthorized access of electronic data containing personal information. Requires reporting a breach to affected individuals and law enforcement under specific conditions.

Notification Requirements:

• Requires notification to affected individuals if a breach involves more than 500 residents and presents a “high risk of identity theft” (based on factors like type of information breached, access methods used).
• Notification method depends on the number of individuals affected (mail, website posting, etc.).
• Requires notification to law enforcement if a breach involves more than 1,000 residents or “presents a significant risk of identity theft or fraud.”

Data Security Measures: Requires “reasonable security measures” to protect personal information, considering industry standards and the sensitivity of the information. Measures may include:

• Access controls
• Data encryption
• Activity monitoring
• Incident response plans

Additional Provisions:

• Prohibits selling or disclosing personal information acquired through a breach.
• Grants private right of action for individuals harmed by a breach.
• Exempts certain entities like financial institutions and certain government agencies from some provisions.

Penalties: Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $500,000 per breach.

Compliance Steps as Chief Information Security Officer (300 words):

1. Inventory and Classification:

• Identify all systems and applications storing personal information.
• Classify data based on sensitivity and risk of harm in case of a breach.

2. Implement Security Measures:

• Implement access controls (e.g., multi-factor authentication) to restrict unauthorized access.
• Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit.
• Monitor system activity for suspicious behavior.
• Develop and regularly test incident response plans to address breaches promptly.

3. Awareness and Training:

• Educate employees on the statute’s requirements and their role in data security.
• Train them on recognizing and reporting phishing attacks and suspicious activity.

4. Risk Assessment and Regular Audits:

• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize mitigation efforts.
• Perform internal audits to verify compliance with security policies and procedures.

5. Breach Response Planning:

• Develop a comprehensive breach response plan that outlines steps for detecting, containing, and remediating breaches.
• Practice the plan regularly and update it as needed.

6. Third-Party Vendor Management:

• Ensure contracts with third-party vendors require them to comply with data security standards and notify you of any breaches.
• Conduct due diligence on vendors before engaging them.

7. Data Disposal:

• Implement secure data disposal procedures to permanently erase personal information when no longer needed.

8. Continuous Improvement:

• Stay informed about evolving cyber threats and update security measures accordingly.
• Regularly review and improve your data security program based on lessons learned from incidents and audits.

Remember, this is a general overview. Compliance requires a thorough understanding of the statute and its nuances, considering your organization’s specific risks and data practices. Consulting with legal and security professionals is recommended for tailored guidance.