The protection of personal and sensitive data has never been more critical in today’s digital world. Our increasing reliance on digital systems has saw data protection and cybersecurity dominate legal discussion, with new regulations and policies being introduced to protect our information. Below we discuss how cybersecurity is shaping the future of law and why lawyers with a knowledge of the field could become invaluable to organisations and businesses.
Written by Grant Longstaff. Published 04 February 2025.
What is data protection?
Data protection refers to the legislation and policies which outline how our personal data should be handled and used by organisations, businesses and governments. Data protection is governed by the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) in the UK. Such legislation aims to ensure our data is used “fairly, lawfully and transparently” and should be “handled in a way that ensures appropriate security, including protection against unlawful or unauthorised processing, access, loss, destruction or damage.”
Why is data protection important?
Organisations collect vast amounts of data; from our names and addresses to potentially more sensitive data such as financial information and health records. Organisations responsible for personal data must follow a set of strict data protection principles. However, if our data isn’t properly protected it could be exploited by criminals for fraud, theft, and exploitation, among other crimes.
Ensuring data is secure and used responsibly is vital. Individuals have the right to know how their personal data is used and shared, so organisations must show they have responsible data practices. This can help adhere to data protection laws and avoid fines and legal proceedings.
What is cyber security?
Cybersecurity aims to protect our devices, networks, and data from cyber threats such as hacking, ransomware, and phishing attacks. As data breaches are becoming increasingly common, cybersecurity is no longer simply an IT concern, but a legal one too.
Why is cybersecurity important?
There are several reasons cybersecurity is important for businesses and organisations. To begin, there are the legal ramifications for failing to protect personal data and information which requires the need for strong cybersecurity. Cyberattacks could also potentially lead to a disruption in operations for a business, which could cause a loss of earnings, damage to their reputation and harm customer relationships.
Data protection and cybersecurity
Data protection laws define how personal data should be handled, whilst cybersecurity ensures that data remains secure from security breaches and unauthorised access. Under UK GDPR, organisations must implement “appropriate technical and organisational measures” to protect personal data. This includes cybersecurity measures such as monitoring and managing who has access to data, encryption of said data, regular testing of the security systems put in place and establishing procedures should a breach take place.
Is cybersecurity the future of law?
Cybercrime is a growing threat. If you’re already a legal professional looking to specialise in data protection, or a law student considering the sector, you’ll need a strong understanding of cyber security. Your role as a legal expert could find you representing victims of cybercrime or helping change legislation as cyberattacks evolve. Alternatively, you may work in-house with an organisation, assisting with their data protection management and helping ensure they’re compliant with current legislation.
We’ve designed our LLM in Data Protection and Intellectual Property and MSc in Cyber Security Management with this future vision in mind. Legal professionals already play a crucial role in shaping regulation and advising on data compliance, and as legislation evolves, there’ll be an increasing demand for lawyers with expertise in this area. Furthermore, there’s a rising need for lawyers with knowledge in the field to help navigate the legal minefield of new technology – such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain – as it becomes more commonplace in the business world.
If you’re interested in the evolution of law, technology, and business we offer a number of postgraduate courses which can help you develop essential employability skills for the future.
