In-house counsel and technology: we go together like peanut butter and jelly. Cheese and crackers. Lawyer and client.
Ok, so maybe the relationship isn’t always that smooth (I’m willing to bet you too have that one colleague or client who doesn’t quite trust electronic signatures or hates email). However one thing is certain: We are becoming more technically savvy simply because we have to. The way we communicate internally and with clients, store files, sign contracts, approve invoices, and more all have some electronic component involved.
According the 2014 ACC Docket Readership Survey, over 10 percent of those surveyed worked in an industry identified as information technology, software or Internet-related services. Therefore, it is no surprise that this technology and IP issue of the Docket is a popular one. What may be surprising is the number of your colleagues who say their company’s prized possession — customer/client information — has been compromised. According to the ACC Chief Legal Officers 2015 Survey, 27 percent of CLOs and general counsel reported experiencing data breaches at their companies within the past two years. It’s no wonder then that today’s in house counsel are concerned with topics like protecting, managing and storing data.
In my opinion, managing data is about common sense mapping, knowing where your data is, and migrating to an environment where fewer end points for said data exist. Perhaps a good place to start is by developing a ROI for information governance for your company. Get some tips on how to do this effectively, and with little to no budget, in this issue. Other articles include an overview of data privacy legislation in India (a country whose business practices include a nice amount of outsourcing, an area where data definitely must be monitored closely), a look at how “big data” is changing legal and commercial risk management, and how to prepare for a data breach.
Of course, we offer more than Docket articles on protecting and managing data. Many issues cross your desk — or enter your email inbox. As a jack-of-all-trades, you are expected to know a lot about a lot. This is why you are a member of ACC and we’ve got you covered. With resources like this issue of the Docket and recent Top 10s including “Top Ten eDiscovery US Trends in 2015” and “Top Ten Things to Know About Due Diligence for Corporate Counsel,” we work hard to bring you the information you need to protect the information you manage — and beyond.
While advances in technology have made it easy to share knowledge, and visiting www.acc.com/legalresources will bring an abundance of resources to your fingertips, one of the greatest benefits of your membership is the opportunity to learn and network with your in-house colleagues. I urge you to get involved with your local chapter and attend its events. For example, the Greater New York Chapter will host “Outsourced Functions, In-house Problems: The Realities of Data Security and the Impact on Outsourcing” on Nov. 19, and the Singapore Chapter held its fifth “Global Forum on Intellectual Property” just last month. Get information on upcoming events and find materials from those you may have missed at www.acc.com/chapters.
Whether you flip through your printed or digital Docket or check out the latest business news online, you know how important it is to stay up on the latest developments in the law, your industry and technology. After all, you’re informed, indispensible and in-house.
