Crossroads Blog | Institute National Security and Counterterrorism

Cyber Command, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Information Sharing, law enforcement

Cyber Round Up: Sony Settles Breach Suit, Cyber Command Vision Statement Released, U.S.-EU Data Protection Agreement

  • Sony Settles Data Breach Lawsuit (Techtimes.com):  Sony Pictures Entertainment (“SPE”) reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed against by former employees, Tech Times reports.  The suit alleged that SPE was negligent in protecting its system against a breach, resulting in the data breach that resulted in the online theft of the employees’ personal information in December 2014.  Prior to this settlement agreement, Sony moved to dismiss the suit arguing that the plaintiffs had not suffered any financial losses as a result of the breach.  According to the motion, the plaintiffs alleged that they have “incurred or will incur costs in order to monitor and mitigate the risk of future identity theft and fraud.  SPE moved to dismiss, arguing that plaintiffs lacked standing to sue because they did not suffer concrete and imminent damage.  The plaintiffs have filed a motion seeking a preliminary approval of the settlement, and it is expected to be approved by  October 19, 2015.  The full article can be found here.
  • U.S. Cyber Commander’s Vision Outlined in Report (U.S. Department of Defense):  Navy Admiral Michael S. Rogers released the Cybercom vision statement outlining how U.S. Cyber Command can be integrated “into all aspects of the national security effort,” reports U.S. Department of Defense.  In the report, Admiral Rogers emphasizes the importance of public-private sector partnerships and collaboration to ensure “success in defending the nation in cyberspace.”  Further, Admiral Rogers stressed the need to recruit and retain a highly skilled workforce that understands the evolving technologies and adversaries.  The full report can be found here.
  • U.S. and EU Forge Data Protection Agreement (National Journal):  The U.S. and the European officials finalized a data-protection agreement that will provide a road map showing law enforcement how to protect personal information being shared across the Atlantic, reports the National Journal.  The agreement will not take effect until Congress passes a measure giving European citizens, who believe that their personal data have been misused by American authorities, the right to sue in U.S. courts, the article continues.  A bill has been introduced and has garnered some bipartisan support, however, it has yet to be passed.   For the full article click here.

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