Data Protection and Cyber Security Overview

The processing of personal data is increasingly a key aspect of investigations into all forms of wrongdoing, and provides the subjects of investigations with a potential route to disrupt and frustrate investigations if not managed properly.  We ensure that data protection compliance is considered at all stages of an investigation, and our data protection experts are a key part of the multi-disciplinary teams that we put in place to support investigations.

We also routinely represent clients in Data Protection Commission investigations and audits, which often arise in relation to complaints from data subjects made in the context of other investigations, inquiries launched by the Data Protection Commission and the reporting of personal data breaches.

Our clients range across industry sectors including, in particular, social media, communications, utilities, pharmaceuticals, financial services and public authorities.

Our Work

We have represented clients in connection with a broad range of Data Protection Commission investigations and audits and in connection with a number of significant internal investigations, including:

• Obtaining an urgent injunction for a global accountancy practice to restrain a person who had wrongfully received confidential information and third party personal data from our client from communicating or using the confidential information or processing the third party personal data
• Advising a leading aircraft finance firm in connection with a serious phishing attack and associated investigation by the Data Protection Commission
• Advising a leading health insurance company in connection with an investigation into employee misconduct, including data protection matters arising in relation to an associated digital forensic investigation
• Advising a leading media company in connection with personal data breaches and related investigations by the Data Protection Commission
• Advising a public authority in connection with a Data Protection Commission thematic audit into the use of private investigators