As a leading European technology law firm, Osborne Clarke advises numerous technology businesses and multinational IT user companies on a wide range of issues relating to IT security. Team members have written on the subject in a compliance white paper for the financial services sector, as well as in ‘IT Security Best Practice Guidelines’ published by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (we act as Chair of their IT security committee).

We advise on a range of internal policies and procedures to be followed by sub-contractors or suppliers who come on site or who have access to your company’s IT systems. This includes having contracts that impose security service levels, confidentiality provisions and confirmation that your business retains ownership of all data created or processed on its behalf. Similarly, we advise on third party contracts in relation to data back-up and disaster recovery provisions.

We have significant experience in advising on the legislation and regulations relating to data protection and privacy (including the collection, use, retention and disclosure of information). We handle Data Protection Act notifications, (including registrations in each EU Member State in which your company operates) and advise on complaints received from the Information Commissioner.

Businesses should ensure that their employees are bound by contractual obligations in relation to permitted use of IT, confidentiality and ownership of IP issues. We regularly advise in this area and draft staff contracts and IT policies. In the event of employee exits, we advise on the issues surrounding return of company property.

• drafting pan-European employee IT security policies and contractual documentation for Amcor Flexibles Europe
• Advising on a pan-European data protection audit project for a major investment bank
• advising Verisign on the establishment and operation of Europe's first digital certification authority BT (BT Trustwise), including advice on the use of digital certificates and encryption technology in the UK

Simon Rendell
t +44 (0)20 7105 7020
simon.rendell@osborneclarke.com