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Herbert Smith Freehills has named partner Andrew Moir as the new Head of its Global Cyber Security Practice.

The practice, which encompasses more than 25 partners worldwide, reaches right across the firm's global network from New York to Australia. It advises corporates, boards and directors across a wide range of industry sectors in relation to cyber security and digital data breach risks.

The practice focuses on three main areas including:

  • Before-the-event cyber risk management and advisory:  The firm assists clients in areas such as drafting policies and procedures, training and education, contractual review, data protection compliance and policies, data retention, regulatory compliance, procurement (such as contractor vetting and contractual protections) and insurance.
  • Incident response:  Herbert Smith Freehills frequently acts as the first responder in relation to cyber security incidents.  The cyber security practice is the primary point of contact for clients, investigating and coordinating the response in conjunction with third party technical incident response teams as appropriate. The practice also advises on related legal issues such as data protection, employment law, intellectual property/confidential information, regulatory, insurance, health & safety and product liability, together with litigation should it arise.
  • Non contentious transactional and project work:  The practice frequently advises on cyber security issues as part of, for example, transactional work, joint ventures, projects work and outsourcing.

Before qualifying as a solicitor, Andrew gained hands-on experience in the electronics, IT and software engineering fields.  Lauded by industry experts as a "technically talented lawyer", Andrew was showcased in last year's FT Innovative Lawyer Awards 2015 as one of the country's most innovative young lawyers, with his background enabling him to "bridge the gap between law and technology".  He has particular experience advising clients 'before-the-event' in order to improve their cyber-readiness and resilience, as well as 'after-the-event' in relation to the legal, technical and practical aspects of incident response.

Andrew commented: "Cyber security is now a key risk for all businesses and industries, and the threats are ever evolving.  It also raises legal issues across many disciplines multi-nationally.  As a global full service firm we are very well placed to help clients with cyber security issues across the globe, and I very much look forward to leading our practice going forward".

Justin D'Agostino, Global Head of the firm's dispute resolution practice and the firm's Joint Regional Managing Partner for Asia and Australia, said: "With a growing number of cyber attacks each year, cyber security is one of the biggest concerns facing corporates today. Our cutting-edge cyber security practice helps businesses protect themselves with before-the-event advice and, in the event of a cyber attack, it offers support and guidance to ensure damage limitation and secure the best possible outcome for our clients. Andrew has a wealth of technical knowledge and expertise in this area and is seen in the industry as the 'go-to' lawyer on all cyber security matters, making him a natural choice to lead our global practice."

For more information on the Global Cyber Security Practice, please visit: www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/cybersecurity

 

About Herbert Smith Freehills

Operating from 24 offices across Asia Pacific, EMEA and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice. We provide many of the world’s most important organisations with access to market-leading dispute resolution, projects and transactional legal advice, combined with expertise in a number of global industry sectors, including energy, natural resources, infrastructure, technology and financial services. www.herbertsmithfreehills.com

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Key contacts

Andrew Moir photo

Andrew Moir

Partner, Intellectual Property and Global Head of Cyber & Data Security, London

Andrew Moir