Information Technology

Technology helps organizations work smarter. But, technology also poses a number of challenges and risks.

Dickinson Wright regularly helps organizations across industries and sizes – from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 companies – develop policies and procedures to address a number of technology-related issues.

When it comes to information security, our team ensures that our clients’ information assets (trade secrets and personal information) are protected – which is the difference between disaster and effective risk management. As employees make increased used of email and other online applications, Dickinson Wright helps organizations develop effective policies; in fact, we’ve written a book on the topic. Our team’s experience also extends to helping organizations ensure that personal information is stored and used in compliance with privacy laws. Another area where our team is quite knowledgeable is electronic contracting.

Some of the information technology practice’s areas of expertise include:

• Involvement in information security process planning to ensure that IT systems satisfy legal requirements. 

• Development of acceptable use policies for email/Internet/chat/web; development of website terms and conditions to help companies achieve “best practice” status. 

• Design of internal compliance programs under FTC “Safe Harbor” facilities and through alternative inter-company agreements that satisfy state, federal and international personal information privacy requirements in an operationally-friendly fashion. 

• Assistance with ensuring that marketing programs comply with SPAM rules; that Customer Relationship Management systems collect personal information about clients and suppliers in compliance with the law; that HR managers have the necessary resources to deal with employee privacy issues. 

• Development of best practices for electronic contracts; making clients aware of potential anti-trust issues related to the B2B marketplace; ensuring that companies are aware of potential issues related to data ownership.