NEW YORK — July 24, 2023
Key takeaways:
- Eric B. Gyasi has joined BakerHostetler’s New York office as counsel in the firm’s Digital Assets and Data Management Practice Group, and he will be a member of the Digital Risk Advisory and Cybersecurity team.
- With more than 15 years of professional experience, Gyasi directs cybersecurity incident response investigations, advises boards of directors regarding their cybersecurity fiduciary obligations, and develops information security and governance programs.
- Gyasi previously led digital forensics investigations at Stroz Friedberg, an incident response company, and he brings deep technical proficiency along with the ability to synthesize highly technical issues for clients so that they can assess and operationalize cybersecurity regulatory guidelines.
- Gyasi’s addition follows the arrival of advertising commercial transactions DADM partner Sarah La Voi, who joined the firm’s Chicago office earlier this month.
Why this matters
An accomplished attorney, Gyasi is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate the legal and business risk issues at the intersection of incident response and cybersecurity regulatory enforcement. BakerHostetler’s DADM Practice Group is globally recognized as the go-to firm for security incident response. Adding Gyasi’s digital forensics and cybersecurity governance experience to a team that is named “Elite” by Chambers Global and Chambers USA strengthens the team’s ability to help clients effectively respond to the most sophisticated and challenging incidents.
A strategic thinker valued for his business-minded judgment, Gyasi routinely advises and prepares boards of directors for their cybersecurity fiduciary obligations and compliance with complex regulatory requirements in a clear, risk-informed manner, while remaining focused on business realities and goals. He will be a key asset in working with clients before and after security incidents to enhance their cybersecurity posture and operational resiliency.
Key quotes
“Companies want to take a practical approach to cybersecurity compliance and incident response. Eric’s ability to speak plainly to clients about highly technical issues is impressive and exactly what our clients want,” said Ted Kobus, chair of the DADM Practice Group. “We are thrilled that he has chosen to join our team.”
“Eric knows what it takes to lead clients through the crisis of a security incident. Seeing what allows incidents to occur enables Eric to provide practical and prioritized recommendations for proactively identifying and implementing additional controls and measures to enhance a cybersecurity program. We think he is an excellent addition to our team,” added Craig Hoffman, co-leader of the firm’s Digital Risk Advisory and Cybersecurity team.
About Gyasi’s practice
Prior to joining BakerHostetler, Gyasi served as vice president and engagement manager at Stroz Friedberg, a digital forensics investigations firm. He routinely led forensic investigations of cybersecurity incidents, including large-scale ransomware attacks, network breaches, corporate espionage and state-sponsored critical infrastructure intrusions.
Throughout his career, Gyasi developed and implemented tailored cyber incident response strategies; prepared and drafted regulatory, government and shareholder disclosures; crafted and enacted communication strategies; and directed tabletops and other strategic exercises for boards of directors, audit committees and management teams.
As an experienced privacy professional, Gyasi has helped clients identify and address risks related to data privacy and has led data discovery, data mapping and data classification projects. Additionally, he has guided clients in designing policies, processes and controls to comply with data subject requests and other aspects of global data privacy laws.
Gyasi previously held positions at Lloyds Bank North America and Joele Frank, the crisis communications firm. His multidisciplinary background further strengthens the DADM Practice Group, particularly in the representation of clients and their boards of directors prior to and following a security incident.
Gyasi received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College and his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, and he holds the designation of Certified Information Privacy Professional from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
Key quotes
“Cybersecurity compliance and risk mitigation for clients begins with experienced professionals who see the current landscape and anticipate what’s coming around the curve. Eric Gyasi’s deep experience as a leader in the cybersecurity field will be an asset for our clients as they look to mitigate risk today and see around the corners to avoid future risk,” said George Stamboulidis, managing partner of BakerHostetler’s New York office.
“I look forward to working alongside some of the most sought-after incident response and digital risk advisory attorneys and professionals, who are well regarded for developing practical, client-centric solutions,” said Gyasi. “My combination of cybersecurity governance, crisis communications and digital forensics experience enables me to help clients effectively and practically address cybersecurity enterprise risk management and regulatory challenges.”
Comprising more than 100 attorneys and technologists, BakerHostetler’s Digital Assets and Data Management Practice Group unites key service offerings and technologies intersecting with the life cycle of data. A globally recognized leader, the group’s roster includes attorneys practicing in this space for more than two decades, former federal prosecutors, veteran in-house counsel and past government agency leaders. With 8 top-tier rankings by Chambers USAand Legal 500, the DADM Practice Group is considered a go-to firm for cybersecurity, privacy, advertising, data governance and emerging technologies. For more information on BakerHostetler’s Digital Assets and Data Management Practice Group, visit https://bakerlawstaging.contentpilot.net/DigitalAssetsDataManagement. Connect with us on Twitter @BakerHostetler or on LinkedIn @BakerHostetler, @TedKobus, @CraigHoffman, @GeorgeStamboulidis or @EricGyasi.
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About BakerHostetler
BakerHostetler helps clients around the world address their most complex and critical business and regulatory issues. Our highly ranked attorneys deliver sophisticated counsel and outstanding client service. We have six core practice groups — Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Litigation, and Tax — and more than 1,000 lawyers coast to coast. For more information, visit bakerlaw.com.