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2016 Bus. L. Today 1 (2016)
Encryption for Lawyers

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Lan,'ye rs i -i ntt.-t,-d i, When you send information (an e-mail message. a perhaps a file) electronically, it most likely passes ihrough wires that are used publicly by many parties, or airwaves that are essentially radios, This means that someone may be able to intercept the in- formation along the path and read it. in order to protect information from intercep- tion by tnintended pa ries, technology was developed that makes the information un- readable by normal means. This is called encryption. As will be seen below, en- cryption also has other uses that are impor- tant to lawyers, including message or docu- ment verification and identity verification. In the past, encryption has been almost solely in the realm of technical experts. Governments and companies have used encryption to one extent or anottier to pro.- tect communications. However, today even some phone apps include encryption. The question is what do lawyers really need to understand about encryption in order to improve how they practice in light of new technology, rules, regulations, and ethical responsibilities? Whether you are a solo practitioner in criminal law or an in -house corporate attorney at a Fortune 100 com- pany, encryption affects many of the issues you encounter, whether you realize it or not. Encryption is a way to make commtnica- tions that are intended to be private actually remain private. Think of a client comrig to your office. You are 2 to speak with them about a highly senstive matter. You meet them in the lobby and take them up to yotr office, You don't discuss the matter in the lobby, the elevator, or even your firm lobby, until you reach your office or a con- ference room and shut the door. Encryption is the sante as shutting the door to keel) com- munications private. Why Eyc,- 'tNo, Necess-,'-&$y Encryption may be used to obscure informa- tion so that only the intended parties are able to review the information in the clear 'Ihis may take place on a device, or during trans- mission across networks or the Internet. [n-- cryption may also be used to confirm identi- ties of a party or a device. Digital signatures are a good example of this use. Data may be authenticated through the use of encryp- tion. Encryption may be used to show that a docunent is an original and has not been changed. Lawvers neced to understand the basic concepts upon which encryption is based. his wi Ul help t hem understand how their companies are using encryption, how ad- versaries Jn litigation may have niade deci - sions, or errors, in the use of encryption, how to protect their clients' information, and how to protect themselves. More than ever before, personal and con - fidential infornation is transmitted over the Internet in clear text and potentially exposed. Many people today increasingly rely on technology, but do not fully under- stand the importance of data. software, and systems security. Moreover, even security professionals have trouble using programs and tools intended for security puiposes. As a result, several companies have recently suffered major data breaches resulting in high profile litigation. Damages can be mas- sive and additional losses can include credit nmonitoring for all customers (direct and in- direct), years of systemic and obt'usiVe au- dits, long-term impact to profitability/reve- nue projections, systemic and conpanywide obtrusive audits to identify and correct not just the source of the leak but other broken business processes that were discovered dur- ing these audits, data theft and desiTuct ion of files, servers, and storage systems. A basic knowledge of encryption and cybersecurrty is necessary to help a user understand how JNt. 2212 Published in Business Law Today, June 2016. Cr 2016 by the Armerican Bar Association. Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. This information or any 1 portion thereof may not be copied or disseminated in any form or by any means or stored in an eiectrorim database or retrieval system without the express written consent of the American Bar Association.

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