When does GLBA Safeguards Rule take effect?

GLBA Safeguards Rule took effect on May 23, 2003.

Who does GLBA Safeguards Rule apply to?

Financial institutions subject to FTC jurisdiction (e.g. mortgage brokers, lenders, auto dealers, tax preparers, payment and fintech companies, and other non-bank entities significantly engaged in financial activities). Certain program elements (written risk assessment, continuous monitoring/pen testing, incident response plan, annual board report) do not apply to institutions holding customer information on fewer than 5,000 consumers.

What are the penalties under GLBA Safeguards Rule?

The Rule itself carries no civil penalty; the FTC enforces through Section 5 of the FTC Act (injunctive orders), with civil penalties for violating resulting orders.

GLBA Safeguards Rule

Amended United States (Federal) · In force May 23, 2003 · no upcoming deadlines

Official text

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Deadlines

Takes effectMay 13, 2024 · 2.5 years ago · Source

FTC breach notification requirement effectiveSection 314.4(j) requires notice to the FTC within 30 days of discovering a notification event involving at least 500 consumers.

ComplianceJun 9, 2023 · 3.4 years ago · Source

Compliance with expanded security program elementsApplicability of the 314.5 provisions (qualified individual, written risk assessment, encryption, MFA, pen testing, incident response plan, board reporting) was delayed from December 9, 2022 to this date.

Takes effectJan 10, 2022 · 4.8 years ago · Source

2021 Safeguards Rule amendments effectiveThe amended Safeguards Rule published December 9, 2021 took effect, with the more detailed program elements in 314.5 deferred.

Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.

What it does

Requires non-bank financial institutions under FTC jurisdiction to maintain a written information security program with a qualified individual, risk assessments, access controls, encryption, MFA, monitoring and board reporting. Since May 13, 2024, institutions must notify the FTC within 30 days of discovering a 'notification event' (unauthorized acquisition of unencrypted customer information) affecting at least 500 consumers.

Who it applies to: Financial institutions subject to FTC jurisdiction (e.g. mortgage brokers, lenders, auto dealers, tax preparers, payment and fintech companies, and other non-bank entities significantly engaged in financial activities). Certain program elements (written risk assessment, continuous monitoring/pen testing, incident response plan, annual board report) do not apply to institutions holding customer information on fewer than 5,000 consumers.
Penalties: The Rule itself carries no civil penalty; the FTC enforces through Section 5 of the FTC Act (injunctive orders), with civil penalties for violating resulting orders.
Enforced by: Federal Trade Commission
Official name: FTC Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information (Safeguards Rule), 16 CFR Part 314, under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
Citation: 15 U.S.C. 6801(b), 6805(b)(2); 16 CFR Part 314; amendments at 86 FR 70272 (2021) and 88 FR 77499 (2023)
Topics: Financial, Cybersecurity, Breach notification, Privacy

Verified 2026-09-22 federalregister.gov federalregister.gov federalregister.gov

Research notes

Banks and credit unions follow the parallel Interagency Guidelines, not this Rule. FTC notices of notification events may be made public.

In forceUnited States

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EnactedUnited States (Federal)

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In forceUnited States (Federal)

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AmendedUnited States (Federal)

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In forceUnited States (Federal)

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AmendedUnited States (Federal)

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AmendedUnited States (Federal)

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Questions about GLBA Safeguards Rule

What are the GLBA Safeguards Rule compliance deadlines?: Jan 10, 2022: 2021 Safeguards Rule amendments effective. Jun 9, 2023: Compliance with expanded security program elements. May 13, 2024: FTC breach notification requirement effective.
When does GLBA Safeguards Rule take effect?: GLBA Safeguards Rule took effect on May 23, 2003.
Who does GLBA Safeguards Rule apply to?: Financial institutions subject to FTC jurisdiction (e.g. mortgage brokers, lenders, auto dealers, tax preparers, payment and fintech companies, and other non-bank entities significantly engaged in financial activities). Certain program elements (written risk assessment, continuous monitoring/pen testing, incident response plan, annual board report) do not apply to institutions holding customer information on fewer than 5,000 consumers.
What are the penalties under GLBA Safeguards Rule?: The Rule itself carries no civil penalty; the FTC enforces through Section 5 of the FTC Act (injunctive orders), with civil penalties for violating resulting orders.

Deadlines

What it does

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