While New South Wales’ new COVID outbreak is causing problems, it has other problems as well. On July 9, GRC World Forums reported: The New South Wales (NSW) department of education in Australia has deactivated some internal systems after becoming the victim of a cyber-attack. The timing has created considerable challenges for staff as they…
Category: Legislation
New Decision Narrows Scope of Georgia Computer Trespass Statute
Liisa Thomas and Snehal Desai of Sheppard Mullin write: The Georgia Supreme Court recently concluded that Georgia’s equivalent of the CFAA should be viewed narrowly, similar to the US Supreme Court’s recent, similar decision in Van Buren. In Kinslow v. State, the Georgia Supreme Court held that even if there is unauthorized use of a computer or computer network,…
People’s Republic of China Passes the Data Security Law: A Summary of What We Know
Kim Peretti, Lance Taubin, and Emily Poole of Alston & Bird write: On June 10, 2021, almost exactly three years after the passing of its Cybersecurity Law (CSL), the National People’s Congress of China passed a new Data Security Law (DSL) (click here for an unofficial English translation of the DSL), which goes into effect September 1, 2021. Where…
New Australian bill would force companies to disclose ransomware payments
Catalin Cimpanu reports: Australian lawmakers have filed on Monday a new bill that would mandate that local companies inform the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) of their intention to pay a ransomware gang. The Ransomware Payments Bill 2021 was put forward today by Tim Watts, Australia’s Shadow Assistant Minister for Cyber Security, and comes after Australian companies…
State Legislatures Consider Bans on Ransomware Payments
Emily Poole of Alston & Bird writes: As ransomware attacks continue to dominate the news cycle, legislation has recently been introduced in several states that would place limits on certain entities’ ability to pay a ransom payment in the event of a ransomware attack. Although the proposed limits would generally apply to state agencies and…
Do We Even Need the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act (CFAA)?–Van Buren v. US
Eric Goldman writes: Last week, the Supreme Court decided Van Buren v. US. Many hoped the decision would clarify how owners can delimit third-party usage of their computer resources for purposes of the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act (CFAA). Disappointingly, the court explicitly punted on that key question, though the decision probably will prompt lower…