Top 4 Things to Pay Attention to in 2020 in the World of Cyber Security, Digital Forensics, eDiscovery, and Technology

During the last two decades, the interplay of technology and legal practices has had a significant impact on nearly every major industry. Throughout that time, Capsicum Group has been at the forefront of complex technology, legal, and regulatory projects while continuing to evolve our expertise and offerings. Capsicum is looking forward to an exciting new year and kicking off 2020, our 20th year in business. 
As we all embark on a new year and new decade, it is easy to look at the future and dream about all that is to come. Will we have flying cars by 2030 or what about teleportation capabilities? While we don’t have a crystal ball to predict the future, one thing we can say for sure is that it important for us all to be prepared for another wave of surprising, unplanned events. Who or what will be the next technology to Uberize an industry? With that being said, here are Capsicum’s Top 4 Things to keep an eye on in the world of Digital Forensics, Cyber Security, and eDiscovery for 2020:

• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

If you have been receiving emails regarding privacy policy updates and/or noticing new privacy statements on your favorite website, you most likely can thank the California Consumer Privacy Act for that. Effective January 1st, 2020 the CCPA went into effect, changing the United States Privacy landscape forever. Organizations buying or selling data of 50,000 or more California residents annually must disclose to residents what they are doing with your data and provide the option to request not to sell it. This policy is having an immediate impact on how organizations operate and can carry fines from ranging $2,500 – $7,500 per incident dependent on whether they are deemed “Intentional”.  Keeping the bigger picture in mind, we believe it is only a matter of time before additional States follow California’s lead. As additional States add their own privacy policies, it is reasonable to assume the Federal Government will need to take an increasing proactive approach.

• 59th Quadrennial Presidential Election

Regardless of the city, state, or country you are living, it is difficult to not be aware of the United States Presidential Election taking place this November. Reflecting on the 2016 election and the cybersecurity events which took place, it isn’t a stretch to believe that the bad actors will be back for another round. As techniques and tools continue to advance, it becomes increasingly important to have a proactive and ever evolving defense. Political opinions and allegiances aside, we can all agree that we hope to mitigate repeat issues of hacking, social engineering, and other cybersecurity matters.  

• 2020 Summer Olympics

Whether or not you were aware, the previous Olympics that took place in 2018 experienced several cyber-attacks. One example is the Russian Organization which performed a False-Flag cyber-attack impacting the Opening Ceremonies. Not only did this attack cause disruptions, but it attempted to pass the blame off on a North Korean Organization. Events such as the Olympics which have a global platform are prime targets for cyber-attacks. The real question isn’t whether or not a hacking attempt will be made, but what will the response be. 

• Increase in Breadth and Depth of Devices

At the beginning of the decade many devices that are currently a part of our everyday lives were in their infancy. Smartphones, tablets, fitness trackers, smart watches, and smart homes are just a few of the smart/connected devices that we have watched rise to prominence in the last ten years. As such we have seen an increased cybersecurity threats and attacks on the increased number of access points. As these and new devices continue to increase in quantity and diversify, so will the number and complexity of cyber-attacks. As such it is imperative to continue to lead with a security first mentality as technology continues to advance and be implemented into our everyday lives.

As Capsicum embarks upon our 20th year we see now what we have seen in the past and expect to see again and again – rapid change in technology with a direct impact on our social, cultural, and civic society. Privacy, cyber threats, The Internet of Things, drones and much more will continue to impact our lives, our society and certainly the world order. Capsicum remains your trusted partner and is ready to help guide and support you through these rapidly changing times.

About Capsicum:
Capsicum was founded in 2000 within the law firm of Pepper Hamilton, LLP. Charged with providing technology consulting support to their clients, we soon realized that the need to understand, collect, and forensically analyze digital data went far beyond what we were handling: We began our journey as general technologists, but quickly became specialists in digital forensics.
Our areas of expertise soon evolved and expanded into forensic investigations, cybersecurity, discovery, electronic and paper recovery, security, regulatory compliance, and incident response retainers.
In 2002, Capsicum became the independent consulting company that focuses on these core services. Employing high-caliber experts and a unique understanding of data, technology, and the law, we support organizations that need technological proficiency to run their companies and when they come face-to-face with difficult tech, legal, and regulatory situations. Capsicum is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA with offices in New York, Florida, Texas, and California.