COPPA
U.S. regulation requiring parental consent for child online privacy
FISMA
U.S. federal law for risk-based information security management
Quick Verdict
COPPA protects children under 13 from online data collection via parental consent, targeting commercial sites globally. FISMA mandates risk-based security for federal systems using NIST RMF. Companies adopt COPPA for kid-focused apps to avoid FTC fines; FISMA for government contracts to ensure compliance and resilience.
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998
Key Features
- Requires verifiable parental consent before collecting children's data
- Expansive PII definition includes persistent IDs and geolocation
- Targets child-directed services or those with actual knowledge
- Mandates privacy policies, data security, and parental access rights
- FTC enforcement with up to $43,792 civil penalties per violation
FISMA
Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014
Key Features
- NIST RMF 7-step lifecycle for risk management
- Continuous monitoring and diagnostics requirements
- FIPS 199 risk-based system categorization
- SP 800-53 security and privacy controls
- Annual IG assessments and OMB reporting
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
COPPA Details
What It Is
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal regulation (16 CFR Part 312), enacted in 1998 and effective 2000. It protects children under 13 from unauthorized online personal data collection by commercial websites, apps, and services directed to kids or with actual knowledge of child users. Core approach mandates verifiable parental consent (VPC) before collection, use, or disclosure, with a risk-based sliding scale for consent methods.
Key Components
- Privacy notices and policies detailing data practices.
- VPC mechanisms (11+ methods like credit card, video call).
- Broad personal information (PII) definition: names, addresses, persistent IDs, geolocation, audio/video.
- Parental rights to review, delete data; data minimization and security.
- Safe harbor self-regulatory programs (e.g., ESRB, iKeepSafe). FTC enforces as unfair practices.
Why Organizations Use It
Legal compliance avoids FTC fines up to $43,792 per violation (e.g., YouTube's $170M). Enhances parental trust, reduces breach risks, supports global operations targeting U.S. kids. Builds reputation in edtech, gaming, adtech.
Implementation Overview
Assess audience for child appeal; post policies; implement age screens, VPC, audits. Applies to operators worldwide; high burden for small biz but tools ease. No certification, but FTC exams and safe harbors. Typical for websites/apps: 6-12 months initial setup.
FISMA Details
What It Is
Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) is a U.S. federal law establishing a risk-based framework for protecting federal information and systems. Enacted in 2014, it mandates agency-wide security programs focusing on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, primarily using NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF).
Key Components
- **7-step RMFPrepare, Categorize (FIPS 199), Select/Implement/Assess (SP 800-53 controls, ~1,000 total), Authorize, Monitor.
- Continuous monitoring, incident reporting, POA&Ms.
- Oversight by OMB, CISA, IGs; maturity models aligned to NIST CSF.
- Compliance via annual assessments, no formal certification.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for federal agencies/contractors; reduces breach risks, enables market access (e.g., FedRAMP). Builds resilience, efficiency, executive risk decisions; avoids penalties like debarment.
Implementation Overview
Phased RMF approach: inventory, categorize, controls, assess/authorize, monitor. Applies to agencies, contractors; complex for large/federated orgs; requires audits, automation, training. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | COPPA | FISMA |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Children under 13 online privacy and data collection | Federal agency information systems security |
| Industry | Commercial websites, apps, edtech targeting kids; global for US children | US federal agencies, contractors; US government sector |
| Nature | Mandatory FTC regulation with civil penalties | Mandatory federal law with oversight reporting |
| Testing | Verifiable parental consent, data security audits | NIST RMF assessments, continuous monitoring |
| Penalties | $43,792 per violation, $170M settlements | IG reports, contract loss, remediation directives |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about COPPA and FISMA
COPPA FAQ
FISMA FAQ
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