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ARTICLE · 17 MAY 2021

New DOL Sub-Regulatory Guidance On Cybersecurity And The Use Of Participant Data

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The DOL news release states that the DOL seeks to protect $9.3 trillion in U.S. defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans.

United StatesTechnology
John W. Boyd
John W. Boyd
Ann M. Caresani
Ann M. Caresani
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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration has posted new guidance on its website regarding cybersecurity and the use of participant data, and ERISA plan administrators need to pay attention.

The DOL news release states that the DOL seeks to protect $9.3 trillion in U.S. defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. While the focus is on retirement plans, the guidance is written broadly enough to cover all ERISA plans.

The guidance provides that "ERISA-covered plans hold millions of dollars or more in assets and maintain personal data on participants, which can make them tempting targets for cyber-criminals." The guidance sets forth Cybersecurity Program Best Practices for recordkeepers and other service providers to follow. The 12 practices that are set forth are similar to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy and security requirements for healthcare plan protected health information:

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