Can You Sue A Business For Data Breaches In Florida?

Data breaches have become incredibly common in the modern era. Cybersecurity is now a major concern for businesses across Miami, and hackers seem to be acting with complete impunity. If you’re running a modern business, you already know that your data is incredibly important. In fact, many business owners consider their data to be among their most valuable resources. So what happens when a third party mishandles your data and allows it to be stolen or accessed by a third party? What happens if your trade secrets are discovered, or your customers’ confidential information goes public? Can you sue the third party that failed to keep your data secure?

Although cybersecurity laws are still in their infancy, you can explore your legal options with the help of a qualified attorney in Miami who specializes in business litigation. These professionals can assist you as you strive to hold negligent parties accountable, and you may have the ability to pursue a settlement for your losses.

The Cyber Incident Notification Act of 2021 

On October 3rd of 2021, it was reported that the US Senate had introduced a new cybersecurity bill called the Cyber Incident Notification Act of 2021. This would require all “critical infrastructure protection owners and operators” to report incidents of cybersecurity breaches. These organizations include financial security service providers and information technology groups. If the bill is passed, these entities would have just 24 hours to report data breaches to the authorities. This is part of a much greater effort by the US government to address issues like data breaches and ransomware attacks. For example, the National Defense Authorization Act was passed recently.

Data Breach in Florida 

In July of 2021, a breach on Florida’s CONNECT website resulted in 58,000 people having their private financial information accessed. The data included social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, bank account numbers, and more. This shows that data breaches are a genuine threat in Florida.

When Can I Sue? 

You may be able to sue a business if you can prove that its cybersecurity measures were inadequate. This follows the same basic rules as an inadequate security lawsuit. However, instead of failing to hire security guards, the company in question failed to create firewalls and robust cybersecurity measures. You may have a much easier time suing the company if you can prove that they lied about the strength of their cybersecurity systems.

If successful, you can recover a settlement that reflects any financial losses you might have suffered as a result. For example, you might have hired a third-party cybersecurity company to protect your trade secrets. If the cybersecurity company then allows your trade secrets to be accessed, you could be dealing with losses worth millions of dollars. 

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today 

For help from a skilled Miami business & financial dispute attorney, contact Alhalel Law. We are familiar with the latest developments in commercial and business litigation, and we understand the importance of data. With our help, you can hold third parties accountable for mishandling your data and allowing breaches to occur. Book your consultation today, and we can go over your legal options together.

Resources:

wesh.com/article/connect-website-data-breach-florida/37117426#

govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/senate-bill-would-mandate-reporting-infrastructure-data-breaches