The reality of cybersecurity threats has hit home in recent days with news of large companies experiencing data breaches of epic proportions. The victims have ranged from mass retailers such as Target and Home Depot to Sony Pictures to health insurer Anthem. Even the Twitter feed of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the volatile Middle East, was hacked recently, while the White House reported detecting “activity of concern” last October on the unclassified computer network used by White House staffers.
In Connecticut, these widely publicized events have resulted in an increase in phone calls to law firms from small and midsized businesses. Lawyers say they are hearing from clients seeking protection for their data, including the customer information they share with third-party vendors in Connecticut, these widely publicized events have resulted in an increase in phone calls to law firms from small and midsized businesses. Lawyers say they are hearing from clients seeking protection for their data, including the customer information they share with third-party vendors.
Because of the complex issues surrounding IT responses and myriad state and federal regulations, building a cybersecurity practice isn’t something that can be done overnight. “The lawyer who is coordinating cybersecurity work needs to walk the walk and talk the talk,” said Scott Christie, a partner in McCarter & English’s cybersecurity and data privacy practice. “It’s vital for any attorney who professes to do cybersecurity work to have not only the legal background, but the technical background.”