October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM)! NCSAM is an annual event designed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and co-led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCSA). NCSAM is a collaborative effort by both government and industry leaders intended to enhance public awareness regarding cybersecurity . This year’s agenda emphasizes personal accountability and taking proactive steps both at home and in the workplace to enhance cybersecurity. This year’s motto is Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT – #becybersmart, and focuses on areas such as consumer privacy, consumer devices and e-commerce security.

In honor of NCSAM, we are focused on what is one of the hottest issues of 2019, and present our California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) FAQs, for all businesses regardless of size or industry. With its effective date less than three months away, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), considered the most expansive U.S. privacy law to date, still presents many unanswered questions for businesses, service providers, and other interested parties. However, to avoid costly fines, penalties, and litigation, CCPA compliance needs to begin now. To assist businesses with their compliance efforts, we prepared these CCPA FAQs.

Topics include:

• Entities subject to the law,

• The definitions of personal information,

• Pending exceptions for employees and business contacts,

• Requirements and penalties for employers under the CCPA,

• New consumer rights and required website notices, and

• Litigation and class action exposure for businesses that experience a data breach.

The CCPA continues to evolve. As of this writing, we await action or inaction by Governor Newsom on a number of amendments that have been proposed and passed. Additionally, we are reviewing recently issued proposed regulations from the California Attorney General. Thus, while the January 1, 2020 effective date will come and go, businesses need to remain vigilant and continue to monitor legal developments regarding the CCPA, as well as its influence on similar legislative measures in other states.

In addition to our CCPA FAQS, below are additional resources we’ve prepared to provide businesses with a better understanding of how the CCPA was developed, where it is headed, and how it will impact covered entities:

• CCPA: Expansive Array of Consumer Rights Imposes Rigorous Compliance Burden

• CCPA Amendments Updated, Finalized and Moving on to Governor Newsom

• CCPA FAQS on Cookies

• Does the CCPA Apply to Your Business

• Senate Committee Blocks Bill to Expand Private Action

• California “Your Data, Your Way” Initiative

We hope you will find the CCPA FAQS and other resources helpful in navigating the compliance requirements of this groundbreaking law.