MANUFACTURING ATTORNEY FOR MINNESOTA BUSINESSES

The U.S. manufacturing sector remains a vibrant part of the U.S. economy.  While the number of jobs in manufacturing has decreased, due at least in part to automation, U.S. manufacturers still produce more than $5 trillion worth of goods annually, and over 12 million Americans still work in the manufacturing sector.

Manufacturers have often not addressed cybersecurity or data privacy risks based on the mistaken belief that manufacturers were not attractive targets for cyber criminals and hackers.  This belief is clearly flawed as manufacturers now experience at very high incident of hacks and breaches, second only to healthcare.  It is now commonplace for manufacturing companies to be hit with sophisticated ransomware and phishing attacks targeting sensitive corporate information, trade secrets, intellectual property and even employee personal data.

In addition, manufacturers are also grappling with the emergence of the “Internet of Things” which has made maintaining data security and privacy ever more complex.  Automobiles now collect and transmit diagnostic data in real-time creating the possibility that such data will be intercepted and that the control of the vehicle could be hacked. With the imbedding of data channels in smart home devices (smart thermostats, doorbells and robotic vacuums) and fitness gadgets, manufacturers must be mindful of the risk they are introducing into the marketplace and our very homes.

At Innova Law Group, I work with my clients to minimize risks and drive compliance through:

• Cyber Response - craft custom solutions to ensure clients properly respond to cyber-attacks from threat vectors including third-party hacks, fraudulent electronic transactions, employee/insider malfeasance, ransomware and all manner of phishing. 

• Teaming with my clients’ internal resources to develop sound privacy processes and global strategies while navigating the complex domestic and international privacy landscape.

• Tailoring software, consulting, outsourcing, professional services and technology licenses and computing agreements.

• Providing guidance on PCI (Payment Card Industry) obligations and compliance.

• Partnering with internal and external resources to create a holistic and pragmatic approach to privacy development and risk management with the focus on growing business opportunity. 

• Assessing the impact and integration of emerging technologies including blockchain and cyber currency.  

• Assisting clients with due diligence analysis to identify and mitigate risk from data security and cyber issues during merger and acquisition activity and long-range business planning. 

• Partnering with clients to create policy and process to meet evolving data security/cyber challenges.  

• Creating corporate and website terms and conditions, cookie and privacy policies.