The BTI Law Firms Best at Cybersecurity 2017, a report issued by the BTI Consulting Group (pdf), lists Jackson Lewis as one of the country’s top law firms for cybersecurity and data privacy. The report was compiled “based solely on in-depth telephone interviews with leading legal decision makers,” representing more than 15 different industry segments in organizations with $1 billion or more in annual revenues. Our cybersecurity team is grateful for the recognition from our clients.

Cybersecurity and privacy issues are among the most challenging for virtually all of our clients. Today, organizations contend with vast amounts of data, an expanding, multi-layered regulatory environment, technology that evolves at a blistering pace, and sophisticated cybercriminals who can wreak havoc from thousands of miles away. Our Privacy, e-Communication and Data Security Group is committed to helping our clients navigate these cybersecurity challenges through a variety of services, such as:

  • workthruITtm. Our online applications provide helpful resources including a data breach readiness assessment, a data security assessment and a comprehensive survey of the country’s data breach notification laws. And, there are more cybersecurity and privacy apps coming. Learn more about workthruITtm here.
  • Data Incident Response Team. A tidal wave of ransomware attacks, spearphishing scams and other forms of data breach have victimized thousands of organizations. Having handled more than 500 data incidents, and as part of our commitment to client service, we announced recently a 24/7 Data Incident Response Team to be available on a moment’s notice in the event of a security incident. Learn more about our Data Incident Response Team here.
  • Prevention and Compliance: Assessments, Policies and Training. Of course it is better to avoid a breach than to experience one. So, our team works with clients to assist them with conducting risk assessments, developing policies and procedures, and training their workforce. We strive to understand our clients’ industries because not only is there likely to be different legal requirements, the customary practices and expectations in the industry also are different.
  • Vendor Selection and Management. A cybersecurity program is only as strong as its weakest link and that link could be an organization’s third party service provider. We help organizations assess their vendors’ cybersecurity capabilities, as well as negotiate and draft cybersecurity agreements including business associate agreements to help our clients minimize the risks their vendors present.
  • Government Inquiries and Litigation. We represent our clients before federal and state agencies as well in litigations to respond to claims, inquiries, investigations and compliance reviews involving cybersecurity and privacy.

Cybersecurity and privacy are necessary considerations for doing business today, and we are excited to partner with our clients to help them safely and efficiently maximize the opportunities that information and technology present. Artificial intelligence, internet of things, and “Big Data” present even greater opportunities ahead, with an even greater need to supply adequate time, resources and effort toward cybersecurity and privacy.

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Photo of Joseph J. Lazzarotti Joseph J. Lazzarotti

Joseph J. Lazzarotti is a principal in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He founded and currently co-leads the firm’s Privacy, Data and Cybersecurity practice group, edits the firm’s Privacy Blog, and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)…

Joseph J. Lazzarotti is a principal in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He founded and currently co-leads the firm’s Privacy, Data and Cybersecurity practice group, edits the firm’s Privacy Blog, and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) with the International Association of Privacy Professionals. Trained as an employee benefits lawyer, focused on compliance, Joe also is a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits practice group.

In short, his practice focuses on the matrix of laws governing the privacy, security, and management of data, as well as the impact and regulation of social media. He also counsels companies on compliance, fiduciary, taxation, and administrative matters with respect to employee benefit plans.

Privacy and cybersecurity experience – Joe counsels multinational, national and regional companies in all industries on the broad array of laws, regulations, best practices, and preventive safeguards. The following are examples of areas of focus in his practice:

  • Advising health care providers, business associates, and group health plan sponsors concerning HIPAA/HITECH compliance, including risk assessments, policies and procedures, incident response plan development, vendor assessment and management programs, and training.
  • Coached hundreds of companies through the investigation, remediation, notification, and overall response to data breaches of all kinds – PHI, PII, payment card, etc.
  • Helping organizations address questions about the application, implementation, and overall compliance with European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and, in particular, its implications in the U.S., together with preparing for the California Consumer Privacy Act.
  • Working with organizations to develop and implement video, audio, and data-driven monitoring and surveillance programs. For instance, in the transportation and related industries, Joe has worked with numerous clients on fleet management programs involving the use of telematics, dash-cams, event data recorders (EDR), and related technologies. He also has advised many clients in the use of biometrics including with regard to consent, data security, and retention issues under BIPA and other laws.
  • Assisting clients with growing state data security mandates to safeguard personal information, including steering clients through detailed risk assessments and converting those assessments into practical “best practice” risk management solutions, including written information security programs (WISPs). Related work includes compliance advice concerning FTC Act, Regulation S-P, GLBA, and New York Reg. 500.
  • Advising clients about best practices for electronic communications, including in social media, as well as when communicating under a “bring your own device” (BYOD) or “company owned personally enabled device” (COPE) environment.
  • Conducting various levels of privacy and data security training for executives and employees
  • Supports organizations through mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations with regard to the handling of employee and customer data, and the safeguarding of that data during the transaction.
  • Representing organizations in matters involving inquiries into privacy and data security compliance before federal and state agencies including the HHS Office of Civil Rights, Federal Trade Commission, and various state Attorneys General.

Benefits counseling experience – Joe’s work in the benefits counseling area covers many areas of employee benefits law. Below are some examples of that work:

  • As part of the Firm’s Health Care Reform Team, he advises employers and plan sponsors regarding the establishment, administration and operation of fully insured and self-funded health and welfare plans to comply with ERISA, IRC, ACA/PPACA, HIPAA, COBRA, ADA, GINA, and other related laws.
  • Guiding clients through the selection of plan service providers, along with negotiating service agreements with vendors to address plan compliance and operations, while leveraging data security experience to ensure plan data is safeguarded.
  • Counsels plan sponsors on day-to-day compliance and administrative issues affecting plans.
  • Assists in the design and drafting of benefit plan documents, including severance and fringe benefit plans.
  • Advises plan sponsors concerning employee benefit plan operation, administration and correcting errors in operation.

Joe speaks and writes regularly on current employee benefits and data privacy and cybersecurity topics and his work has been published in leading business and legal journals and media outlets, such as The Washington Post, Inside Counsel, Bloomberg, The National Law Journal, Financial Times, Business Insurance, HR Magazine and NPR, as well as the ABA Journal, The American Lawyer, Law360, Bender’s Labor and Employment Bulletin, the Australian Privacy Law Bulletin and the Privacy, and Data Security Law Journal.

Joe served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Laura Denvir Stith on the Missouri Court of Appeals.