Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about First Watch's solutions for your business, explore the questions and answers below. Want to learn more? Contact us.
Q: What exactly does FWT do?
A: In a nutshell, FWT makes available a suite of services to assist small businesses with being prepared for and responding to data breaches. We help small business owners prepare to prevent data breaches, comply with state and federal laws, and react quickly, compliantly and effectively. As part of our package of services, plans include Cyber Liability Insurance for $100,000 or $250,000($0 deductible, no underwriting)* of eligible expenses arising out of a data breach. FWT provides some of these services itself but has also assembled a team of partners with the appropriate expertise to provide related services.
Q: How long do I have to be a client of First Watch before I benefit from all of your services?
A: Your membership benefits commence immediately upon your acceptance of the Terms of Service and payment of the applicable membership fee.
Q: When my clients call to report a breach, will they be able to talk to a live person right away or will it be a recording loop?
A: Yes, you will be able to speak to a live person.
Q: Does a client who is the only employee of a company need to be concerned with a data breach?
A: There is no need for notification. But if the breach involves your clients' personal information, notification obligations for applicable federal and state laws may exist.
Q: If a business owner chooses to ignore a breach, are the penalties civil, criminal or both?
A: A business owner who chooses to ignore a breach has potential exposure on a number of different fronts.
- With regard to penalties, the state laws vary. Some states treat the failure to comply with the breach mandate as an unfair or deceptive trade or business practice for which the attorney general can impose civil penalties. In other states, the statues provide a set penalty amount that applies depending on the number of persons affected and/or the type of failure (for example, the length of the period the notice was not provided). Penalties are rarely criminal in nature.
- Some states also permit individuals affected by a breach to file private causes of action against the entity that suffered the breach. In some cases, a plaintiff can recover punitive damages and attorney's fees.
In addition, if it comes to light that a business ignored a breach there may be significant harm that results from damage to the company's reputation and its relationship with employees and/or customers.