The Security Industry Association (SIA) has joined an industry-led coalition expressing concerns about legislation proposed in more than 25 states to impose new requirements on state contractors that could compromise employee privacy and cyber security while increasing costs, particularly for security integrators. 

Lawmakers in several states filed bills that would impose a new requirement for vendors that contract with the state to provide real-time and retroactive access to data for verification of hours of work performed. Arkansas (SB 281); Colorado (SB 169); Illinois (SB 1326, HB 2127, SB 2828); New Jersey (AB 3989, SB 2960); Texas (HB 1352); and Washington (HB 1744, SB 5809) are just a few states where such legislation has been introduced.

The proposed requirements would apply to contracts worth $100,000 or more and specify that contractors purchase software from a third-party vendor that would: automatically track total keystroke frequency and mouse movement; capture an image of the computer screen at least once every three minutes; provide continuous, automated updates of real-time cost; allow the governmental entity to provide immediate feedback; and allow the third party vendor to retain the data for at least seven years.

To learn about what other legislation could potentially impact the security industry, click here.