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After Anthem, Diagnosing the Health of Data Security
Companies have begun to experience attempts to breach their databases on a frequent basis, and have had to become hypervigilant about protecting their networks against hackers. But once every couple of months, the bad guys get through the defense systems in a big and highly publicized way, showcasing data disaster for company and customers. This was the case in early February when Anthem Inc., the second-largest health insurance company in the U.S., announced it had been hacked, and up to 80 million current and former customers may be affected.
According to a letter by Joseph Swedish, Anthem's president and CEO, the attackers obtained personal information such as names, birthdays, Social Security numbers, street and email addresses, and employment information. Although no one knows who committed the cybercrime at present (It has been reported that the Chinese government is suspected ' see, “Chinese State-Sponsored Hackers Suspected in Anthem Attack,” Bloomberg.com), one thing is for sure, the damage is significant and the potential reach is staggering. And companies and their counsel should remember that if a hack such as this can happen to one of the country's biggest health insurers, it can happen to them too.
Jon Clay, senior manager of global threat communications at IT security company Trend Micro Inc., told e-Commerce Law & Strategy's ALM sibling CorpCounsel.com that even the most capable companies can be breached. “It's not like a mom-and-pop shop,” he said of Anthem. “They are very sophisticated, I'm sure. But the challenge we have is that the criminals are also very sophisticated, and they have a lot of time on their hands.”
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.
Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York
In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?
Legal Possession: What Does It Mean?
Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.