Allen O’Rourke Attends FTC Data Security Hearings

WASHINGTON, DC - Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Allen O’Rourke attended Federal Trade Commission hearings on data security and met with government officials to talk about data security law. This was part of the FTC’s ongoing series Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century . The data security hearings took place on December 11-12, 2018, at the FTC Constitution Center Auditorium in Washington, DC. The public comment period will remain open until March 13, 2019.

The data security hearings included six panel discussions and additional presentations related to data breaches and data security law. The first day’s discussions examined data breach trends and cybersecurity threats, incentives for investment in data security, and consumer demand for data security. The second day focused on data security assessments, the U.S. framework related to consumer data security, and the FTC’s data security enforcement program. Speakers included data security and privacy law professionals from across the public, private, and academic sectors.

Allen O’Rourke co-chairs the Privacy and Cybersecurity Team at Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US). He leads cyber investigations, helps clients respond to data breaches, and represents clients facing regulatory actions, consumer litigation, and business disputes arising out of cybersecurity incidents. Allen also provides guidance on privacy and data protection, digital advertising and analytics, cybersecurity preparedness, and legal aspects of computer network defense. In addition, Allen is an experienced trial and appellate attorney who represents clients in a broad range of civil and criminal matters. Prior to joining Womble, Allen was a cybercrime prosecutor who helped lead the Cyber Unit at the US Attorney’s Office in Washington, DC, where he received two Special Achievement Awards for his work to combat cybercrime.