At Manchester Digital, we like to interview our members to find out a bit more about what they do and their work in the Greater Manchester digital and technology sphere. This week we're speaking with Senior Associates, Gabrielle Armstrong and Stephanie Lees from Pinsent Masons.
Please introduce yourself
GA: I am a Senior Associate at Pinsent Masons in the Manchester office specialising in data protection and information law. I have diverse experience advising on a wide range of data privacy, AI and information law compliance issues such as lawful bases, DPIAs, privacy notices, contract terms, external transfers, transfer risk assessments and contentious information rights requests (FOIAs and DSARs). My clients sit across all of Pinsent Masons’ global sector groups and I have recently undertaken several client secondments.
SL: I am a Senior Associate at international law firm Pinsent Masons based in the firm’s Manchester office. I specialise in commercial dispute resolution and am an experienced advisor to corporate bodies, SMEs and high net worth individuals across the Technology, Infrastructure and Sports sectors. I also support Pinsent Masons’ national cyber response team advising clients on their recovery and response to cyber-attacks and data breaches.
How does Pinsent Masons differentiate itself from other law firms in the technology space?
GA: We have a large, well established TMT practice which prioritises the need to stay up to date with both legal and technological developments. This is achieved through leveraging our internal technology consultants, such as our Cyber Professional Service and E-Data teams. We publish thought leadership articles for our clients daily on ‘Outlaw’, our legal news and analysis platform, and a core strategic pillar of our business is to maintain our focus on technological innovation – which includes cyber security and AI. We also provide insights to our clients on the changing technological and legal landscape e.g. in the form of client training sessions horizon scanning and know-how updates.
SL: We are strategic advisors, combining deep sector knowledge with a broad skill set of legal expertise to enable our clients to thrive in complex, fast-moving environments. We have a presence in Manchester, but our technology expertise is spread across our global network and four main industries - Diversified Industrials, Healthcare, Life Sciences and Technology & Digital Markets.
What are the most significant legal challenges businesses face in the digital age and how does Pinsent Masons help clients navigate these complexities?
GA: In the digital age, businesses face several significant legal challenges, a key one being data privacy and cybersecurity regulatory compliance. Many organisations have already started to deploy generative AI across their businesses, but this presents a wide range of privacy governance challenges. With the increasing amount of data being collected and processed, businesses must implement comprehensive data privacy and security measures when using AI to ensure they comply with data protection laws such as the UK GDPR and any sector specific guidance.
SL: Innovation is often followed with some form of regulation. Therefore, businesses need to keep pace with the changing markets in which they operate, and they need their lawyers to anticipate those changes and provide forward-thinking advice.
What strategies do you recommend for businesses to manage cyber risk and protect sensitive data?
GA: Data is increasingly becoming a key asset for many organisations. Businesses should invest in robust cybersecurity technological controls, have incident response plans which have been tested and an overarching data privacy and cybersecurity governance framework. Data audits are useful exercises to allow organisations to understand what data they have, how it is being managed and associated risk areas. Another crucial factor is an organisations overall culture: senior leadership need to be invested in data privacy and cybersecurity compliance and there should be relevant policies, procedures and training and awareness in place across the organisation.
SL: When it comes to protecting your organisation from cyber threats, preparation is key. Some of the key recommendations are ensuring your software is kept up to date, organisation-wide use of multi-factor authentication and putting training and processes in place to raise awareness of risks and monitor suspicious activity.
Pinsents c can help you become ‘Cyber-Ready’. A well as specialist legal advisors, we also have a strategic and operational advisory team, Pinsent Masons Cyber Professional Services (CPS), who provide support relating to information security matters and incidents.
CPS is on hand to provide trusted advice on how to respond to cyber threats, share learnings on successful strategies and provide access to a network of trusted partners to help manage cyber security risks.
What emerging tech trends and innovations are you excited about in 2024?
GA: I am most excited about the continued advancement of generative AI. Not only is this an area we have been advising our clients on who are looking to deploy AI models and tools, but Pinsent Masons also has an exciting AI proposition which I’m really excited to see develop.
SL: I am a big fan of health tracking apps and wearable devices, so I am always on the look out for the next innovation. I am intrigued by the latest smart ring to track sleep, fitness etc but that can also be used as a remote control at home. If I can have all my devices in one, that would be the dream.
If you could pick one main thing you hope to gain from this community, what would it be and why?
GA: I want to learn more about what other like-minded professionals working in the Tech space in Manchester are working on and any legal challenges they face.
SL: Since moving to Manchester in 2016, I have watched in admiration as the city has transformed into a growing technology hub. I feel excited to be part of that and I can’t wait to learn more and to meet new faces within the Manchester Digital community.
Find out more about Pinsent Masons here.
