Cyberattacks and Data Breaches

From the formation of Incident Response Teams and careful review of insurance policies to swift internal and external notifications, the “before” and “after” are equally vital to a company’s ability to respond effectively to a cyberattack/data breach.

Security Breach Preparation and Response Action Plan: Six Steps to an Effective Response

Security breaches put companies at risk every day for reputational, legal, financial and operational consequences. To prepare for and effectively manage a security breach, it is essential to have the right systems and procedures in place before a breach occurs.

Evaluating Your Health and Safety Culture: Nine Important Questions to Ask

Government agencies such as the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continue to focus on the importance of corporate culture and oversight as part of their incident investigations. Evaluating your company’s environmental, health and safety culture could be the difference between compliance and noncompliance.

Legal Concerns During a Health Epidemic: Seven Key Questions to Consider

The recent swine flu pandemic was, for many organizations, a wake-up call to the potential business risks and repercussions of health epidemics. In an increasingly globalized world, epidemics and pandemics are a threat that can’t be ignored. Organizations must consider the issues — some obvious, some not — that may affect their workforce and operations in the event of an outbreak.

Responding to a Major Accident: Six Important Issues to Manage

A major industrial accident such as a fire, explosion or toxic release can unfold rapidly. The first concern is for the safety of employees, contractors and the general public. Such events, however, also have immediate reputational, legal and business implications. To respond effectively, it is critical to prepare for the possibility of a major accident. The increasing criminalization of major accidents makes preparation doubly important.

What to Do When the DOT Hazardous Materials Inspector Calls: Seven Immediate Actions to Take

Any company that ships or carries a hazardous material is subject to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous materials regulations.  A hazardous material is a substance or material that the Secretary of Transportation has determined is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported in commerce, which includes hazardous waste and hazardous substances as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The rules may be enforced by DOT personnel, or by state or local government authorities. The likelihood of an inspection is small, but with the growing number of state and local officials getting involved with enforcement, that likelihood is growing.

Twelve Tips on How to Build a Comprehensive Anti-Corruption Compliance Program

In light of the dramatic expansion of anti-corruption enforcement activities in the United States in the past decade, as well as the recent emergence of an even more aggressive regime in the United Kingdom, companies must establish and maintain credible anti-corruption programs to protect against the risks inherent in doing business in today's global economy. Just as companies purchase insurance to protect against foreseeable risks, so too must companies protect themselves from an array of anti-corruption risks. While implementing an effective anti-corruption compliance program is the first step toward protecting the company, it is critical for companies to recognize that not having an effective compliance program exponentially increases the company's criminal and civil risk — including the risk of directors' and officers' individual liability.

Reporting Spills of Hazardous Chemicals: Four Essential Questions to Ask

Multiple federal, state and local statues require companies to report spills of hazardous materials. It's not always clear, however, when a reportable spill has occurred. The key questions to ask in determining whether a reportable spill has occurred — and how to report it — are:

What to Do When an EPA Inspector Appears at the Plant Gate: Eight Critical Steps to Take

At any time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or your state environmental agency may send an inspector to your plant as part of their compliance programs. It is of critical importance to be prepared in advance for such a visit, in the event that regulatory violations are found.