Rich Santalesa is a recognized data security, privacy and technology transactions attorney who delivers practical, real-world advice to his clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 multi-nationals.
Rich has been involved in numerous transactions advising on data security and privacy in today’s rapidly changing regulatory and threat landscape. He has crafted data incident response plans and conducted training/table top exercises to ensure clients are prepared for a breach. He routinely counsels on front-line client transactions, addressing electronic commerce and internet issues, privacy and data security, outsourcing and software licensing.
He is a frequent writer and speaker on security and privacy issues, a Certified Information Privacy Professional with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), and recently served for two terms as co-chair of the IAPP Connecticut KnowledgeNet. Rich is also an active member of the national public/private InfraGard partnership, spearheaded by the FBI, and a co-author of the American Bar Association’s authoritative book, Information Security and Privacy – A Practical Guide for Global Executives, Lawyers and Technologists and current working as an editor on the American Bar Associations update to its International Guide to CyberSecuritytreatise. His clients include financial institutions, insurance companies, consultants, advertising agencies, software companies, publishers, market research firms and technology companies around the world.
Rich’s long technology and executive background, before becoming an attorney, has given him detailed operational knowledge of the challenges facing clients, and enables him to seamlessly interact with client business and IT teams. Prior to entering the legal profession Rich was a computer programmer and award-winning technology journalist and editor at numerous publications, including serving as Editor in Chief of Windows User, Technology Editor at Computer Shopper and Executive Editor at NetGuide Magazine. His articles on technology have appeared in The New York Times, IEEE Spectrum and dozens of other publications. He holds an undergraduate double major degree in English & Computer Science and is a graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, where he served as Executive Editor of theAmerican Bankruptcy Institute Law Review. Rich is admitted to the New York, Connecticut and Washington, D.C. bars
Representative Speaking Engagements and Publications
Webinar: “Surprising Details in the NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulations”
Webinar: “NYDFS’ New Cybersecurity Regulations: How to Comply”
Presentation – Big Data in Transactions, IAPP KnowledgeNet
Article: “EU-US Privacy Shield Goes Into Effect”
Presentation: “Connecticut’s New Data Protection Law,” IAPP KnowledgeNet CT