PRIVACY + SECURITY BLOG

News, Developments, and Insights

high-tech technology background with eyes on computer display

VIDEO: Conversation with Guernsey’s Data Protection Commissioner Emma Martins

  Recently, I spoke with Emma Martins, Data Protection Commissioner at Guernsey’s Office of the Data Protection Authority as part of their Project Bijou. We spoke about a number of topics, including the effect of the GDPR and my new children’s book about privacy, The Eyemonger.  You can watch the video of our conversation here.  

Upcoming Book Reading of The Eyemonger at World Bank Event

I will be speaking on May 19th at 4:30pm EST at a virtual book reading of my children’s book, THE EYEMONGER. The event is hosted by the World Bank Data Privacy Office and the World Bank Group Family Network. How to Be a Privacy Superhero: Defeating Spooky Eyes and Internet Spies Virtual Book Reading of […]

The Impact of the Schrems II Decision: An Interview with Wim Nauwelaerts

Schrems II

In Facebook Ireland Ltd. v. Maximillian Schrems (Schrems II) (July 16, 2020), the European Court of Justice (CJEU) invalidated the Privacy Shield, a widely-used method to transfer personal data from the EU to the US. The decision also put other data transfer mechanisms—Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) and Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs)—into significant doubt. The court’s concern was the deficiency of […]

How Cyberinsurance Is Responding to Ransomware: An Interview with Ken Suh, Mark Singer, and Marcello Antonucci

Ransomware has long been a scourge, and it has been growing into a pandemic with no signs of slowing down. I recently had the opportunity to discuss ransomware with several experts at Beazley. Based in Chicago, Ken Suh is the focus group leader for cyber & tech claims at Beazley. Mark Singer is a cyber & tech […]

Ransomware and the Role of Cyber Insurance: An Interview with Kimberly Horn

hacker setting up ransomware

Ransomware has long been a scourge, and it’s getting worse. I recently had the chance to talk about ransomware and cyber insurance with Kimberly Horn, the Global Claims Team Leader for Cyber & Tech Claims at Beazley. Kim has significant experience in data privacy and cyber security matters, including guiding insureds through immediate and comprehensive responses to […]

Cartoon on Data Breach

Cartoon Data Security Breach 02 small

This cartoon is about evolution of data breaches, which began to grab headlines back in 2005, thanks in large part to California’s data breach notification law — the first of such laws.  Since that time, every state has passed breach notification laws, and there are breach notification laws sprouting up around the world.  Every day, […]

Speaking at the FTC Hearing on Data Security on December 12

12/13/18 Update: Here is the video from the session described below. On Wednesday, December 12, 2018, I’ll be speaking at the Data Security hearing, part of the FTC Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century.  My panel begins at 1:00 PM: The U.S. Approach to Consumer Data Security Wednesday, December 12, 2018 from […]

The Future of Cybersecurity Insurance and Litigation: An Interview with Kimberly Horn

Cybersecurity litigation is currently at a crossroads. Courts have struggled in these cases, coming out in wildly inconsistent ways about whether a data breach causes harm. Although the litigation landscape is uncertain, there are some near certainties about cybersecurity generally: There will be many data breaches, and they will be terrible and costly. We thus […]

Cartoon: Devils of Data Security

Cartoon Devils of Security - TeachPrivacy Security Awareness Training 02 medium

I hope you enjoy my latest cartoon about data security — a twist on the angel on one shoulder and devil on the other.  Humans are the weakest link for data security.  Attempts to control people with surveillance or lots of technological restrictions often backfire.  I believe that the most effective solution is to train […]

Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Humanity’s Future: An Interview with Evan Selinger

Re engineering Humanity

Recently published by Cambridge University Press, Re-Engineering Humanity explores how artificial intelligence, automated decisionmaking, the increasing use of Big Data are shaping the future of humanity. This excellent interdisciplinary book is co-authored by Professors Evan Selinger and Brett Frischmann, and it critically examines three interrelated questions. Under what circumstances can using technology make us more like simple machines than actualized human […]