The digital economy is data-driven, with significant opportunities for businesses who intelligently leverage that data. There are over a 100 countries and territories that regulate data and personal information in some way, often imposing conflicting obligations on multi-national, internet-based or highly regulated entities. Violations of ever-increasing regulations may result in reputational damage, material fines and litigation, so compliant data privacy, data protection and cyber security practices are a key element of any organisation’s corporate governance.

EY Law has more than 3,500 legal professionals operating in more than 90 jurisdictions. That means we can deliver data privacy, information protection and cybersecurity advice around the world in an integrated, informed way. Our offerings include advice and support for dealing with:

• Information governance policies, procedures, audits and legislative compliance
• Enterprise level digital risk mapping, mitigation and management strategies
• Data, privacy and cybersecurity challenges, including impact assessments, privacy by design and incident response planning 
• Legal analysis on security breaches, regulatory investigations, customer and employee notification requirements and associated crisis management
• Operationalizing technical and organisational measures relating to data processing 
• Enabling frameworks for compliant international data transfers, big data projects and cloud initiatives
• Researching, mapping and monitoring compliance against established and emerging data and technology relevant regulation
• Stakeholder education and training programs

Intangible assets like intellectual property, data, trade secrets, brands and technology are of increasing strategic importance in a digitally focused, interconnected world. In reaching their full potential, market participants are reliant on being aware of how regulations and other laws may vary across operating environments and territories. Understanding the laws as they apply to your reality is step zero – EY law also helps our clients navigate through operationalizing those laws to thriving in highly regulated environments.

EY Law has more than 3,500 legal professionals operating in more than 90 jurisdictions. That means EY Law can offer connected and integrated legal specialists, who leverage local and global networks to provide more than just legal advice. So, our clients reap the rewards of experienced, strategic lawyers who live and breathe the constantly changing data, cyber, technology and IP issues that offer the greatest strategic opportunities and challenges to businesses that are anything but usual.

Our teams operate in complex, novel and innovation-driven environments day-in and day-out – we advise our clients on AI/ML/Neural Networks, AR/VR, quantum technologies, autonomous entities and robots, big data analytics and business intelligence, Fintech and RegTech, connected devices, predictive technologies and IoT, semiconductors and device manufacturing, software, cloud and everything ‘as a service’, HealthTech, life science and AgTech.

Key areas where we can help include guidance about:

• Planning, structuring and negotiating technology and data-driven transactions
• Development of net new IP rights, including from digital transformations
• Handling IP/IT as a core asset of digital business models
• Protecting trade secrets and know-how
• Advising on strategies for protecting, exploiting and commercialising IP/IT assets, online platforms and marketplaces
• Developing and interpreting contracts and Ts & Cs, including for cloud, quantum computing, international data transfers, e-commerce, and all forms of ‘as a service’ offerings
• Licensing, collaboration, R&D, development, partnering, co-creation, joint venture and GTM agreements, including by providing templates and training
• Strategic outsourcing and other technology services contracts
• Strategies for enabling regulatory compliant technology solutions and protecting and exploiting the IP that underpins them