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GCs raise cybersecurity concerns
A new survey has found general counsel are taking on new responsibilities, with a growing emphasis on cybersecurity and data protection.
Digital
Cybersecurity ranked alongside compliance and value for money as one of the top three concerns of general counsel, the TerraLex General Counsel Excellence Report found.
Lander & Rogers partner Rob Neely, who heads the technology and data security practice, said the survey results reflected trends in the legal market generally.
“We have seen a significant increase in compliance-related work and also providing assistance to clients with privacy complaints,” Mr Neely said. “Our larger clients operating in the consumer space now perceive data security and privacy to be a key risk and are putting in place processes and systems to manage it.”
Mr Neely suggested organisations are becoming more aware of the dangers of online security breaches.
“The volume and types of personal data being collected has increased exponentially in recent years. Organisations are also aware that misuse of personal information is a significant source of potential liability and brand damage.”
Value for money also emerged as a primary concern for corporate counsel, with 60 per cent reporting they regularly asked outside firms for alternatives to hourly billing.
Moreover, three out of four general counsel said they wanted service providers to deliver more cost-effective service.
