The Case For Lawyers As Cyber-Risk Leaders

In a Today’s General Counsel article, the writer, the general counsel of a cybersecurity technology company, argues his case in the form of the opening statement in a trial. He submits that attorneys are fully capable of driving cyber risk management discussions and outcomes, and that there are two good reasons for them to do it. This first is strong client demand. “Lawyers,” he writes, “whether corporate or outside counsel, are increasingly expected to understand the implications of cyber security when providing advice relating to a variety of issues.” The second is the matter of complying with professional ethics obligations, in particular the obligation to protect client data. In legal representation, he concludes, cybersecurity has now become a market differentiator, and clients are starting to retain lawyers on their ability to adequately secure information, as well their subject matter expertise.