Data security experts team up with new data breach response website
27 October 2009
Law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse has teamed up with RSA, the
security division of technology provider, EMC and consultancy KPMG
to launch a new website aimed at providing companies that have
suffered a data breach with access to a range of expert help. Data
security breaches are becoming increasingly commonplace and expose
companies to regulatory investigations, prosecution, fines and
potential compensation claims as well as negative publicity and
lost clients. An increasingly unforgiving regulatory environment at
a national and European level means that data breaches need to be
taken seriously with affected companies requiring a range of help
from legal and technology expertise to public relations advice.
The Breach Action website breachaction.co.uk brings together
experts from law, technology and consultancy. It is a vehicle that
gives companies speedy access to trusted, market leading
organisations with the right credentials to advise on the handling
of a data breach incident, its aftermath and potential
consequences. The site’s contact form is the beginning of a
seven-step process which culminates in the execution of a joint
plan of action formulated by all of the relevant advisers.
Leading data security lawyer, Stewart
Room is a partner in the Privacy and
Information Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse and came up with
the idea for the site, bringing in data security expertise from
market leaders RSA Security and KPMG. He is also in discussion with
several further service providers regarding the provision of other
important services including credit reference and public relations
agencies.
Stewart Room said: “The last couple of years has seen a flurry
of high profile data breaches and data security is an increasing
concern for both public and private sector organisations.
Regulation is becoming more stringent and penalties are getting
tougher so companies should be tightening up data handling and
security policies. The Breach Action website was devised to provide
speedy access to relevant experts should the worst happen. By
offering this holistic service we hope that companies suffering a
data breach will be able to minimise the impact of the breach and
its consequences.”
Field Fisher Waterhouse’s Privacy & Information Law Group is
the largest data protection practice in the UK concentrating solely
on data protection issues. Led by partner Eduardo Ustaran, the 13
lawyer group advises a range of leading businesses including well
known retailers, media clients and public sector bodies. Stewart
Room is also President of the National Association of Data
Protection Officers and his new book ‘Data Security Law and
Practice’ will be published in November.
For further press information or if you would be
interested in reviewing the book please
contact:
Louise Eckersley, PR Manager,
on +44(0)20 7861 4120.