BSA President and CEO Robert Holleyman issued the following statement:

“BSA commends Chairman Leahy, Senator Hatch and Senator Feinstein for their leadership on data security and data breach notification. In recent years, hundreds of millions of individual records containing sensitive personal information have been involved in computer security breaches.

“The frequency and severity of data breaches have prompted more than 45 states to pass data security laws, creating a confusing ‘patchwork quilt’ of regulations. This is why BSA supports creating a single national framework requiring that consumers be notified when the security of their personal data has been compromised.

“BSA looks forward to working with the Senate as the legislation moves forward and urges its passage by the full Senate.”

S.1490, “The Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2009” introduced by Chairman Leahy, will keep consumers safe online by requiring data breach notification and preventative security measures, increase penalties for criminals and criminally negligent companies, require greater transparency from data brokers, and provide privacy protection for government use of data brokers.

S.139, “The Data Breach Notification Act” introduced by Senator Feinstein, will protect consumers by requiring notification when a breach has occurred that puts their sensitive information at risk. Both of these bills will protect consumers online and will be manageable for business.

The Business Software Alliance is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace.