On September 9, 2015, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and University of California Hastings College of Law hosted the first conference in the FTC’s “Start With Security” series. Aimed at start-ups and developers, the event featured security specialists to discuss design and development, scaling up data security as businesses grow, common security vulnerabilities, and vulnerability response.
The FTC is the primary federal agency charged with protecting consumer privacy. The “Start with Security” initiative stems from the Commission’s increased focus on business education and improving corporate data security. FinTech companies that collect consumer data must heed the lessons from the FTC’s recent data security cases, and should take advantage of the FTC’s resources in implementing effective data security programs. The FTC has released a guide for business and launched a website that consolidates the Commission’s data security information, including:
- online tutorials to help businesses train employees;
- publications to address particular data security challenges; and
- news releases, blog posts, and guidance to help businesses identify risks in handling consumer data.
The next “Start with Security” conference is scheduled for November 5, 2015 in Austin, Texas. For details on the San Francisco conference, or conference materials, please contact Ashley Shively.