There is a growing body of laws and regulations, which govern companies’ collection and use of information about individuals, and the disclosures they are required to make. Many of those laws focus on the types of personal information that are often the subject of data breaches—and are a target for those seeking to engage in identity theft and use such information for fraudulent financial transactions. As a result, the related legal, financial and reputational exposures for organizations that experience a data breach are significant and growing.

The World Law Group recently launched its Global Guide to Data Breach Notifications, the aim of this publication and website is to help multinational organizations plan their response to a data breach involving the personal information of employees, customers or other data subjects in one country or several by providing helpful summaries of related laws and regulations in 43 major jurisdictions worldwide.

This edition of the Guide addresses laws around the world as they currently stand at the date of publication. The change in this area is constant, therefore, they have also launched www.globaldatabreachguide.com, a new World Law Group “microsite” where related client updates and other articles will become available from member firms, as well as news reports of major data breaches, information on conferences and other events in this field, and additional information.

Andrews Kurth is an active member of the World Law Group, an invitation-only, global network of leading law firms with offices in 60 countries. Over more than 20 years, World Law Group firms have built deep personal and professional bonds, attending twice-a-year conferences and working closely together on hundreds of substantial projects. Through the World Law Group network, we provide clients seamless access to first-tier legal assistance, local knowledge and global sophistication around the world.