Response Programs for Security Breaches, Unauthorized Access to Customer Information

Federal Bank and Thrift Regulatory Agencies Jointly Issue Interagency Guidance on Response Programs for Security Breaches

The federal bank and thrift regulatory agencies have jointly issued Interagency Guidance on Response Programs for Unauthorized Access to Customer Information and Customer Notice.

The guidance interprets the agencies' customer information security standards and states that financial institutions should implement a response program to address security breaches involving customer information.

The response program should include procedures to notify customers about incidents of unauthorized access to customer information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the customer.

The guidance provides that, "when a financial institution becomes aware of an incident of unauthorized access to sensitive customer information, the institution should conduct a reasonable investigation to promptly determine the likelihood that the information has been or will be misused."

"If the institution determines that misuse of its information about a customer has occurred or is reasonably possible, it should notify the affected customer as soon as possible," the guidance states. However, notice may be delayed if an appropriate law enforcement agency determines that notification will interfere with a criminal investigation.

Under the guidance, a financial institution should notify its primary federal regulator of a security breach involving sensitive customer information, whether or not the institution notifies its customers.

The guidance is being issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision.

The Federal Register notice is attached. Attachment (294 KB PDF), Contacts: Federal Reserve Susan Stawick (202) 452-2955, FDIC David Barr (202) 898-6992, OCC Kevin Mukri (202) 874-5770, OTS Erin Hickman (202) 906-6677, 2005 Banking and consumer regulatory policy

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Office of Thrift Supervision For Immediate Release March 23, 2005