Content by Mathew J. Schwartz

GDPR: $126 Million in Fines and Counting

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  January 21, 2020

Since the EU's General Data Protection Regulation went into full effect in May 2018, European data protection authorities have received more than 160,900 data breach reports and imposed $126 million in fines under GDPR for a wide variety of infringements, not all involving data breaches.

Chivalric Disorder as Knight and Dame Data Goes Errant

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  December 31, 2019

Human error looks to be the obvious culprit in an accidental data breach by Britain's Cabinet Office, which published the home addresses of celebrities such as Elton John and Olivia Newton-John when it released a list of individuals set to be recognized for their contributions to British society.

Job Search: Head of UK's National Cyber Security Center

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  December 30, 2019

Wanted: A new chief executive to assume command of Britain's growing National Cyber Security Center, part of GCHQ. As Ciaran Martin departs, the successful NCSC model he helped create is being widely emulated in many countries. But the U.S. remains a notable holdout.

Apple and Google Stop Distributing ToTok Messaging App

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  December 24, 2019

Apple and Google have stopped distributing a popular messaging app marketed to English and Arabic speakers called ToTok. The New York Times has reported that U.S. intelligence agencies believe ToTok was developed by the United Arab Emirates government to spy on its citizens. The government bans rival offerings.

GDPR Violation: German Privacy Regulator Fines 1&1 Telecom

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  December 10, 2019

One of the largest fines to date for violating the EU's General Data Protection Regulation has been announced by Germany's federal privacy and data protection watchdog, the BfDI, against 1 & 1 Telecommunications, in part for inadequate authentication mechanisms. The company plans to appeal.

Take Two: Why Organizations Are Reviewing GDPR Efforts

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  November 11, 2019

The EU's General Data Protection Regulation rewrote the rules of the data privacy and breach notification game when it went into full effect last year. Now, however, numerous organizations are revisiting and refining their GDPR compliance efforts around preparation and remediation, says PwC's Polly Ralph.

Privacy Nirvana: Some Assembly Still Required

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  November 11, 2019

Data privacy discussions must focus not just on collecting, storing and securing data, but also the impetus for doing so - and whether it is being done in an ethical manner, says consultant Thom Lagford, a former CISO, who addresses GDPR compliance issues.

NCSC Investigated 658 Serious Cybersecurity Incidents

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  October 23, 2019

The National Cyber Security Center, the U.K.'s national computer emergency response team, investigated 658 serious cybersecurity incidents in a 12-month period and supported nearly 900 victim organizations - most of whom learned they had fallen victim after being alerted by the center.

Is the Equifax Settlement Good Enough?

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 24, 2019

Given the massive impact of the Equifax data breach, is the recently announced proposed settlement fair? One consumer advocate calls the money to be paid out by the consumer reporting agency the equivalent of a "parking ticket." Here's an analysis of the settlement's terms.

Security Flaw Exposed Valid Airline Boarding Passes

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 16, 2019

A vulnerability in global airline check-in software used by 500 airlines could have been exploited to download other individuals' valid boarding passes, potentially giving them access to restricted airport spaces, warns security expert David Stubley. The flaw in Amadeus travel software has now been fixed.

Leak Confirms Google Speakers Often Record Without Warning

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 12, 2019

George Orwell's "1984" posited a world in which Big Brother monitored us constantly via "telescreens." But thanks to our "smart" AI home assistants - from Google, Amazon and others - we're increasingly installing the monitoring equipment ourselves, and it may "hear" much more than we realize.

Dear BA and Marriott: Your GDPR Fines Are Important to Us

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 10, 2019

The data protection gloves have finally come off in Europe after GDPR enforcement began last May - the U.K.'s privacy watchdog has proposed large post-breach sanctions against British Airways and Marriott. Consider the tables now turned on firms that fail to properly safeguard personal data.

Marriott Faces $125 Million GDPR Fine Over Mega-Breach

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 9, 2019

Britain's privacy watchdog says it plans to fine hotel giant Marriott $125 million under GDPR for security failures tied to a 2014 breach of the guest reservation database for Starwood, which Marriott acquired in 2016. Undiscovered until 2018, the breach exposed 339 million customer records.

British Airways Faces Record-Setting $230 Million GDPR Fine

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 8, 2019

Britain's privacy watchdog has proposed a record-breaking $230 million fine against British Airways for violating the EU's General Data Protection Regulation due to "poor security arrangements" that attackers exploited to steal 500,000 individuals' payment card data and other personal details.

Why Application Security Is Your Best Cyber Defense

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 8, 2019

With attackers continuing to hammer weaknesses in software, organizations must prioritize application security more than ever, says Ian Ashworth of Synopsys. Thankfully, developers and middle management - bolstered by agile methodologies and DevOps - are increasingly leading the charge.