Montana Cybersecurity Laws You Should Know (2025)

Mitch Wolverton

With the rapid rise of data breaches and ransomware attacks nationwide, Montana businesses must take cybersecurity compliance seriously. Understanding Montana cybersecurity laws is essential for protecting customer information, avoiding legal penalties, and maintaining trust. Below, we break down the most important state and federal cybersecurity laws affecting Montana organizations in 2025.

Montana Cybersecurity Laws

Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MCDPA) (Mont. Code Ann. § 30-14-2601 et seq.)

The Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MCDPA), which took effect October 1, 2024, establishes new data privacy rights for residents and obligations for businesses.

The law applies to companies that:

  • Control or process personal data of 50,000 or more consumers annually, or
  • Control or process data of 25,000 or more consumers and derive over 25% of revenue from selling personal information.

The MCDPA gives Montana residents the right to access, correct, delete, and opt out of personal data processing. It also requires companies to maintain reasonable cybersecurity practices and conduct data protection assessments for high-risk activities.

Enforcement falls under the Montana Attorney General, with civil penalties for noncompliance of up to $7,500 per violation.

Montana Data Breach Notification Law (Mont. Code Ann. § 30-14-1704)

The Montana Data Breach Notification Law requires businesses to notify affected individuals without unreasonable delay, but no later than 45 days after discovering a data breach involving personal information.

If the breach impacts more than 500 Montana residents, businesses must also notify the Montana Attorney General and provide details on the incident, including the type of information compromised and mitigation steps taken.

Montana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (Mont. Code Ann. § 30-14-101 et seq.)

This act prohibits deceptive or unfair business practices, including misrepresenting cybersecurity protections or privacy safeguards. Businesses that fail to take reasonable measures to secure data can face enforcement and penalties under this act.

Montana Computer Crimes Law (Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-311 et seq.)

This law criminalizes unauthorized computer access, data theft, and the introduction of malware or ransomware. Penalties vary by offense but can include fines, restitution, and imprisonment.

Montana Electronic Transactions Act (Mont. Code Ann. § 30-18-101 et seq.)

The Montana Electronic Transactions Act validates electronic signatures and records, requiring that digital records be stored securely and remain tamper-proof throughout their lifecycle.

Federal and Industry-Specific Cybersecurity Regulations That Affect Montana Businesses

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

PCI DSS applies to all Montana businesses that process credit card transactions. Compliance requires encryption, access controls, and network monitoring to prevent payment data breaches.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA applies to Montana healthcare organizations and business associates handling personal health information (PHI). It mandates administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for protecting patient data.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

Financial institutions in Montana must comply with GLBA, which requires written information security programs, consumer privacy notices, and employee cybersecurity training.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

GDPR applies to Montana businesses that collect or process data from EU citizens. It mandates explicit consent for data collection and provides individuals with control over their personal data.

Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies (NYDFS 23 NYCRR 500)

Montana financial institutions operating in New York must comply with NYDFS cybersecurity regulations, which include multifactor authentication, encryption, and timely incident reporting.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is widely adopted across Montana’s key industries, including energy, agriculture, and manufacturing, to identify, protect, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act

Under the FTC Act, Montana businesses must implement reasonable security measures. The FTC can penalize companies that misrepresent their data protection practices or fail to safeguard consumer data.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

If your Montana business collects personal information from children under 13, COPPA applies. It requires verified parental consent and restricts the collection, use, and sharing of minors’ data.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)

Publicly traded companies in Montana must comply with SOX, which enforces secure financial reporting and strong internal data controls.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA protects the privacy of student educational records and applies to Montana schools and organizations handling student data.

Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA)

CIRCIA requires Montana critical infrastructure entities, such as those in energy and utilities, to report significant cyber incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within 72 hours.

CAN-SPAM Act

The CAN-SPAM Act governs commercial email marketing practices. Montana businesses must use truthful subject lines, accurate sender information, and easy unsubscribe mechanisms.

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)

Montana defense contractors must comply with DFARS cybersecurity standards based on NIST SP 800-171, which safeguard controlled unclassified information.

Section 5 of the FTC Act (Unfair or Deceptive Practices)

Section 5 prohibits deceptive or negligent cybersecurity practices, holding Montana businesses accountable for protecting personal data and being transparent about security measures.

More Montana Cybersecurity Laws to Be Aware Of

The Montana Department of Administration’s Information Technology Services Division (SITSD) leads cybersecurity efforts for state agencies and promotes data protection standards across the public and private sectors.

Private businesses in Montana are encouraged to:

  • Adopt frameworks like NIST or ISO 27001
  • Conduct annual cybersecurity risk assessments
  • Encrypt sensitive information
  • Train employees to recognize phishing and social engineering attacks

Following these practices demonstrates compliance and improves resilience against evolving threats.

Conclusion

Compliance with Montana cybersecurity laws is essential for safeguarding customer information and maintaining business credibility. With the introduction of the Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act and strong breach notification rules, the state has positioned itself as a leader in data protection.

If your organization needs help managing cybersecurity compliance in Montana, we offer tailored services to strengthen your defenses and align your operations with all state and federal standards.

Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Cybersecurity Laws

  1. What is Montana’s main cybersecurity law?
    The Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MCDPA) is the state’s primary cybersecurity and data privacy law, taking effect in October 2024.
  2. How quickly must a business report a data breach in Montana?
    Within 45 days of discovering a breach affecting personal information.
  3. Who enforces cybersecurity laws in Montana?
    The Montana Attorney General’s Office enforces both the MCDPA and data breach notification requirements.
  4. What happens if a company fails to comply with the MCDPA?
    Violations can lead to civil penalties of up to $7,500 per violation and enforcement actions by the Attorney General.
  5. Does Montana require a specific cybersecurity framework?
    No, but following frameworks like NIST or CIS Controls helps demonstrate compliance and reasonable data security practices.

Read More Cybersecurity Laws by State:

Florida Cybersecurity Laws You Should Know (2025)

Ohio Cybersecurity Laws You Should Know (2025)

Virginia Cybersecurity Laws You Should Know (2025)

North Carolina Cybersecurity Laws You Should Know (2025)

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult qualified legal counsel for advice specific to their organization or situation.

Mitch Wolverton

Mitch, Marketing Manager at PivIT Strategy, brings over many years of marketing and content creation experience to the company. He began his career as a content writer and strategist, honing his skills on some of the industry’s largest websites, before advancing to specialize in SEO and digital marketing at PivIT Strategy.