The NY Shield Act: New Data Privacy Requirements for Both Clients and Lawyers

The New York Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security (SHIELD) Act was passed in July 2019. It requires businesses to implement reasonable safeguards to protect the “private information” of New York residents and expands New York breach notification requirements. Attorneys have always had ethical obligations to keep client information confidential. Now, New York SHIELD introduces specific mandates about how to secure sensitive information in the digital age. These requirements affect both law firms and their clients.

Topics Include:

• What a “data breach” actually is;
• How New York defines “private information”;
• Basic best practices for handling sensitive information;
• How to begin a compliance program for your law firm;
• Steps to take to prepare for a data breach

Speaker

James A. Long, Esq. – The Long Law Firm, PLLC