Brand Maven Data Breach Protocol and Notification Policy

At Brand Maven, we take data breaches seriously. This Data Breach Protocol and Notification Policy outlines the steps we will take in the event of a security incident involving personal or sensitive data.

1. Identification and Classification of a Breach

A data breach is defined as any incident where sensitive data, personal data, or confidential information is accessed, disclosed, altered, or destroyed without authorization. Breaches can occur due to various reasons, including cyberattacks, system vulnerabilities, human error, or physical security breaches.

Types of breaches include:

• Confidentiality Breach: Unauthorized access or disclosure of data.
• Integrity Breach: Unauthorized alteration of data.
• Availability Breach: Accidental or malicious destruction or loss of data.

2. Immediate Response to a Breach

Upon identifying a potential data breach, the following steps will be taken:

Containment and Recovery:

• Limit further exposure of the compromised data.
• Disconnect affected systems from the network if necessary.
• Secure backup data and implement measures to prevent further breaches.

Incident Response Team (IRT) Activation:

• A dedicated team will be convened to investigate the breach, assess its impact, and recommend remedial actions.

Internal Assessment:

• Investigate the nature of the breach, the scope of data affected, and potential risks to individuals and organizations.

3. Risk Assessment

Severity of Breach:

• The IRT will assess the severity of the breach based on the volume of data, type of data, and potential harm to affected individuals or entities.

Risk to Affected Parties:

• Consideration of potential financial, reputational, or physical harm to the affected parties.

4. Notification to Affected Parties

In the event of a breach involving personal or sensitive information, Brand Maven will notify affected individuals and relevant authorities within the required timeframes as mandated by applicable laws, including but not limited to:

• GDPR: Notification within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach to the relevant supervisory authority and affected individuals.
• CCPA/CPRA: Timely notification to affected California residents if the breach impacts their personal data.

Notification Process:

Initial Notification:

• Affected parties will be notified by email, phone, or postal mail, depending on the type of data compromised and the contact information available.
• Notifications will include a summary of the breach, the type of data involved, potential risks, and immediate steps being taken to mitigate the damage.

Mitigation Guidance:

• We will provide affected parties with recommendations on how to protect themselves, such as changing passwords, monitoring accounts for suspicious activity, and other protective measures.

Regulatory Authorities:

• Notifications will also be sent to relevant data protection authorities where required.

5. Post-Breach Remediation

Security Enhancements:

• Following a breach, we will implement additional security measures to address vulnerabilities identified during the investigation.

Ongoing Monitoring:

• Increased system and network monitoring will be conducted to ensure no further compromise occurs.

Incident Reporting:

• A formal report will be created outlining the breach, how it was handled, and steps taken to prevent future incidents.

6. Record-Keeping and Documentation

We maintain a record of all security incidents and data breaches, including the nature of the breach, the affected data, actions taken, and notifications sent. This ensures compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other regulatory requirements.