As many states begin to pass laws on consumer data privacy, it is imperative that small businesses understand their responsibilities to protect consumer data. Doing so will not only ensure compliance with the law and mitigate legal risk but can also give your business a competitive advantage. States like California, Maryland, Kentucky, and Texas have already passed or are in the process of passing comprehensive data privacy legislation, which applies to entities that control and process consumer data.
Why Should I Care About Data Privacy?
First and foremost, depending on a state’s law, you will have an obligation to protect consumer data. Check the current law on consumer data privacy in states in which your business operates to familiarize yourself and determine your obligations as a business owner.
From a business perspective, being attentive and transparent about how customer data is used can be an effective way to gain and retain customers. Trust and transparency regarding consumer data goes a long way toward a consumer having good will toward a business. Transparency fosters accountability on the end of the business owner which translates into more trust from your customers. When it comes to protecting sensitive consumer data, trust can form the foundation of a long-term relationship between a business and customer.
What are the Ramifications of a Data Breach?
A data breach of your business can have devastating and long-lasting consequences. These include:
- Legal and regulatory ramifications;
- Identity theft and fraud;
- Financial loss; and
- Operation disruption.
Legal and Regulatory:
Breached consumer data can trigger regulatory scrutiny and investigations, exposing your lack of attention to data privacy. This inattentiveness can result in audits, lawsuits, penalties, fines, and more.
Identity Theft and Fraud:
Stolen information such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and financial data can be used by criminals to open credit accounts, apply for loans, and inflict other damaging transactions in the victim’s name. A data breach caused by a lack of data privacy protection can not only expose your clients, but your business too.
Financial Loss:
Financial consequences can immediately result from a data breach. These costs can pile up quickly as a business investigates the breach, notifies affected individuals, provides services like credit monitoring, and implements measures to prevent further breaches. On top of this, a data breach resulting from business lack of attentiveness can result in lawsuits, legal fees, or fines. Finally, a data breach can cause reputational damage resulting in a loss of customers.
Operation Disruption:
A data breach also hampers the day-to-day operation of one’s business. While spending time locating, fixing, and remedying the breach, a business must take that time from other normal business operations. Doing so results in a loss of productivity and disruption of service, which can ultimately deplete revenue opportunities. Subsequently, businesses may experience supply chain disruptions as vendors lose confidence in your business’ ability to protect their private information.
Key Takeaways
We are in a new era for business, where paperless operations and technological innovations are at the forefront. Because of this, it’s crucial for business owners to stay informed on current legislation regarding privacy laws. The regulatory landscape will continue to adapt to these essential shifts in doing business, and further reliance on technology will demand increased protection of consumer data.
For general questions on data privacy laws, you can contact: [email protected].
