*/
Confidential client information stored in the ‘cloud’ could be accessed by US authorities, the Bar Council has warned.
The IT Panel issued advice in February to help ensure practitioners do not inadvertently infringe the Data Protection Act.
It explains that a combination of the US Patriot Act and other US laws confer powers on the American security services to access personal information stored on facilities provided by US persons or companies, without the knowledge or consent of their customers.
This occurs when the information is stored on computers owned directly or indirectly by US corporations, for example: where case files, emails and accounts are stored on cloud services; where files and administrative software is hosted externally as part of chambers’ back-up or disaster recovery plan; and where chambers use other miscellaneous IT services. Such information may be inadvertently disclosed to the US authorities.
Barristers were warned to check where legally privileged and confidential information is stored, whether any company which stores professional information has US parentage, and if they could be subject to the provisions of the US Patriot Act, and to consider encrypting access to data placed on external servers.
Jacqueline Reid, Chair of the Bar Council IT Panel, said US laws confer considerable surveillance powers on US authorities.
‘Barristers routinely retain legally privileged information relating to their clients, and they should be aware that these surveillance powers can place the confidentiality and security of this highly confidential information at risk.’
Confidential client information stored in the ‘cloud’ could be accessed by US authorities, the Bar Council has warned.
The IT Panel issued advice in February to help ensure practitioners do not inadvertently infringe the Data Protection Act.
It explains that a combination of the US Patriot Act and other US laws confer powers on the American security services to access personal information stored on facilities provided by US persons or companies, without the knowledge or consent of their customers.
This occurs when the information is stored on computers owned directly or indirectly by US corporations, for example: where case files, emails and accounts are stored on cloud services; where files and administrative software is hosted externally as part of chambers’ back-up or disaster recovery plan; and where chambers use other miscellaneous IT services. Such information may be inadvertently disclosed to the US authorities.
Barristers were warned to check where legally privileged and confidential information is stored, whether any company which stores professional information has US parentage, and if they could be subject to the provisions of the US Patriot Act, and to consider encrypting access to data placed on external servers.
Jacqueline Reid, Chair of the Bar Council IT Panel, said US laws confer considerable surveillance powers on US authorities.
‘Barristers routinely retain legally privileged information relating to their clients, and they should be aware that these surveillance powers can place the confidentiality and security of this highly confidential information at risk.’
On both fronts – representing the Bar’s interests and protecting the rule of law
Kate West discusses how best to interpret a drug test report, and the common misconceptions about what can be learnt from a drug test
Ashley Hodgkinson looks at drug testing methods and some of the most common ways people try to cheat a drug test
Clerksroom Chambers has recruited Matthew Wildish from 3 Paper Buildings (3PB) to a newly created position of Director of Clerking. Matthew joined the team at Clerksroom on 1 June
... have you seen through yours? asks Julian Morgan
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Clerksroom Chambers has recruited Matthew Wildish from 3 Paper Buildings (3PB) to a newly created position of Director of Clerking. Matthew joined the team at Clerksroom on 1 June
In this tale of hope, success really has been the best revenge! A difficult journey teaches Rehana Azib QC invaluable lessons along the way
The Chief Inspector of the CPS knows first-hand the difficulties prosecutors face but is no pushover. He talks to Anthony Inglese CB about Operation Soteria, putting victims and cooperation at the heart of criminal justice reform, and his unique and life-changing career prosecuting the crime of all crimes, genocide
This article is not designed to offend the Judiciary but the quiet word has only taken us so far it is time concerns were recorded formally, says the first set to introduce an external bullying policy By Eleanor Laws QC, Oliver Mosley and Kyan Pucks
Having represented many Davids against many Goliaths over a 30+year career at the publicly funded Bar, renowned silk Professor Leslie Thomas QC critically assesses what the Human Rights Act currently under challenge has done for coronial law and equality of arms
