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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".24" citation="COMAR 09.03.06.24" title_num="09" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="06" heading="Data Protection.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A licensee that adequately demonstrates compliance with the federal Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards, 12 CFR Part 30, Appendix B, as it may be amended from time to time, shall be deemed to be in compliance with §§B—G of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A licensee shall develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program that is commensurate with the licensee’s size and complexity, the nature and scope of the licensee’s activities, and the sensitivity of any customer information at issue.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A licensee’s information security program shall consider the following objectives:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Ensuring the security and confidentiality of customer information;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Protecting against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Protecting against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Governance over Information Technology.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A licensee shall have an established governance process in place to control and monitor information security.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The governance process shall include, as appropriate for the size and complexity of the licensee and its information technology systems:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The establishment of policies and procedures related to information technology approved by the board of directors, ownership, or most senior level of management; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A management structure that encompasses:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Assigning responsibilities and authorities for ensuring adherence to information technology policies and procedures;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Documenting accountability for functions to ensure compliance with information technology policies and procedures; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Reporting to the board of directors, ownership, or most senior level of management, no less than annually, regarding the effectiveness of the information technology policies and procedures.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Information Technology Security Risk Assessment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A licensee shall complete an information technology security risk assessment on a periodic basis, but not less than once every 3 years.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A licensee’s security risk assessment shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Identification of the data and information systems that need to be protected;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Classification and ranking of sensitive data, systems, and applications; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Identification and assessment of threats and vulnerabilities.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Information Technology Security Testing and Monitoring.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A licensee shall perform periodic testing and monitoring of information technology security controls as appropriate for the size and complexity of the licensee’s information technology systems.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A licensee’s periodic testing and monitoring of information technology security controls shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Evaluating the effectiveness of existing internal controls;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Taking corrective action to address any significant deficiencies identified during the course of licensee’s evaluation of the effectiveness of existing internal controls;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Monitoring of external sources for new vulnerabilities; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Developing and implementing additional control frame works for any new or changed threats or risks identified by the licensee.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Third Party Provider Oversight. A licensee shall oversee third party service providers by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Taking reasonable steps to select and retain service providers that are capable of maintaining appropriate safeguards for the customer information at issue; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Requiring service providers by contract to implement and maintain such safeguards.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Reporting Obligations. A licensee shall provide notice of a breach of the security of a system to the Commissioner prior to giving the notice required by Commercial Law Article, §14-3504(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Record Retention. A licensee shall provide copies of risk assessments under §E of this regulation and results of periodic testing under §F of this regulation to the Commissioner upon request.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>