"New York Leads the Way in Attorneys' Cybersecurity: Protecting Confidential Client Data is the Priority"
The State of New York's move to require its attorneys to complete one hour of cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection training as part of their biennial Continuing Legal Education (CLE) is an important step in ensuring the safety and protection of client data. This new requirement, which will go into effect on July 1, 2023, is a response to the growing threat of data breaches and the need for attorneys to be more diligent in safeguarding client information. Here are some key reasons why this new requirement is so important:
Protecting Client Data: Attorneys have a professional and ethical obligation to protect the confidentiality of client information, including electronic information. The new requirement helps ensure that attorneys are up to date with the latest security practices and technology advancements to prevent data breaches.
Responding to Cyberattacks: Attorneys must also be equipped to respond to cyberattacks, whether internal or external. The cybersecurity training will help them understand the dangers of cyber threats and the steps they need to take to respond effectively.
Avoiding Business Interruptions: Failing to prioritize data security can lead to significant consequences for attorneys, including business interruptions, data and financial losses, and reputational damage. The new requirement helps prevent these negative outcomes by ensuring that attorneys have the necessary training and knowledge to keep client data secure.
Staying Up-to-Date with Technology Advances: As technology advances and security becomes a greater issue, it is important that attorneys stay up to date with the changes in technology used to practice law. The new requirement helps ensure that they understand the need to protect and safeguard client information from threat actors.
Protecting Confidentiality: Attorneys hold client information in the strictest of confidence and the new requirement helps ensure that they are taking the necessary steps to protect this information from falling into the wrong hands.
Complying with Professional Obligations: The new CLE program rules related to the cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection requirement align with the American Bar Association's formal opinions on attorney's obligations related to cybersecurity responsibilities, as well as those arising from an electronic data breach or cyberattack.
In conclusion, the new requirement for attorneys in New York to complete one hour of cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection training as part of their biennial Continuing Legal Education (CLE) is an important step in ensuring the safety and protection of client data. Attorneys must be equipped with the necessary training and knowledge to keep client data secure, respond to cyberattacks, and avoid negative consequences such as business interruptions and reputational damage.