Christopher Yetka Offers Insight in Twin Cities Business Cybersecurity Article

Twin Cities Business recently sought insight from Larkin Hoffman's attorney Christopher Yetka, for the in-depth cybersecurity article Law Firms Fortify Cyber Defenses published on May 9, 2022. The post addresses hackers targeting businesses with ransomware and identifies a few steps that can be taken to protect digital systems. It also mentions that a number of Twin Cities-area law firms have established robust protocols to protect their client's data and are increasingly advising their business clients on cybersecurity issues.

Christopher Yetka notes in the article that hackers have extended their efforts to attacking vendors and goes on to identify a few of the many steps Larkin Hoffman has taken to keep client information safe.  He explains that Larkin Hoffman’s devices function like "virtual shells" and serve as a portal to a virtual machine that is safely protected by the firm's highly secure server.  He explains that this cloud-based system, protected by a two-factor authentication system, ensures that there isn't any confidential information stored on individual devices.  

Larkin Hoffman hired Cory Behrendt last fall as its first chief information officer (CIO) and Chris explains that Cory is able to help the firm with data management as well as "from a fiduciary standpoint on mitigating risk”.  To read the full Twin Cities Business article please visit https://tcbmag.com/law-firms-fortify-cyber-defenses/. 

Larkin Hoffman counsels clients, from start-ups to large corporations, about data privacy and cybersecurity matters. Our advice in this area is both preventative and curative. We advise clients regarding their legal obligations and protecting themselves with policies, procedures and systems designed to block intrusions. We also move quickly to address situations where an intrusion may have occurred.

Threats to data integrity come from every direction. In an era when clients are almost always connected electronically to their business partners, each link to the core of an organization represents a potential gateway for mischief. A client's digital interactions with its vendors, consultants, payment processors, manufacturers, fulfillment organizations, maintenance groups, and the like are all potential targets of attack. Data security can only be preserved to the extent that all of these connections are in synch with prevailing technology standards and industry best practices.

The task of preventing data and security breaches begins when business relationships are formed. Larkin Hoffman's attorneys actively participate in the creation of RFPs involving a company's acquisition of systems that touch its sensitive information. Then, they assist clients in the review of the proposals received and the negotiation of agreements with providers. Along the way, our attorneys work closely with an organization's business and IT personnel to confirm systems efficacy and compliance with technical and industry standards such as SSAE16 and the PCI Data Security Standard.

Christopher Yetka is a commercial trial attorney focusing his practice on insurance recovery disputes. He has successfully enforced the coverage rights of policyholders across the country in cases relating to nearly every type of insurance policy. He has represented and counseled financial institutions, utilities, medical device companies, construction companies, product manufacturers, transportation companies, agricultural businesses and technology companies. Chris has successfully represented beneficiaries in trust actions, and minority shareholders in business disputes. Chris provides advice to general counsel in the areas of legal and regulatory compliance, records management and document retention, and in the evolving area of cyber security. Chris has also worked with human resources professionals and general counsel in labor and employment matters.

Chris also authors the Insurance Insight Series on the Larkin Hoffman Real Estate and Construction Blog. The series focuses on common insurance issues that are faced by businesses, including who should be included as insureds, common exclusions and how to avoid gaps in insurance coverage.