A representative from the National Retail Federation told Congress on Thursday companies would improve their data security if Congress required them to meet uniform notification standards in the event of a data breach.

"Congress needs to provide incentives for companies to increase their security and nothing motivates like sunlight, requiring that every company have the same public notice obligations will provide this needed light," Mallory Duncan, senior vice president and general counsel of the National Retail Federation, said at a Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing.

Mallory said requiring all entities that handle sensitive information to expose any data breaches would be a powerful incentive for them to enhance their internal data security. Uniform notice can also help individuals take the necessary steps to protect themselves, he added.