Wave Chief Scientist on Data Protection Panel at RSA Europe


Friday, December 23, 2011 by Wave Systems

Wave Systems announced today that chief scientist Dr Robert Thibadeau will appear on a panel of international compliance, encryption and privacy experts speaking at RSA Conference Europe, 11-13 October at the Hilton London Metropole. The session, titled 'Data Protection Laws and Encryption Requirements in the US and Europe', addresses the intersection of technology and law in the rapidly changing landscape of international data breach laws.

Despite stricter laws and severe financial consequences, incidences of data breaches continue to rise. Part of this can be attributed to confusion surrounding the existing patchwork of overlapping and vaguely worded laws, as well as inadequate encryption and security in many organisations. This panel will give attendees the knowledge and tools to protect themselves in the event of a breach.

What: Data Protection Laws and Encryption Requirements in the US and Europe
Who: Mr David Lacey; Dr Robert Thibadeau; Ms Lucy Thomson; and Mr Rigo Wenning
When: 1pm- 1.50pm BST, Tuesday11 October 2011
Where: Windsor Suite (East Wing), Hilton London Metropole, UK

These security thought leaders will come together to discuss current similarities and trends in the regulatory environments of the EU, UK, and US, providing practical solutions for global enterprises that must comply with local and international data breach laws. Successfully navigating international requirements necessitates detailed, current knowledge of applicable laws and encryption standards, and the aim of this panel is to provide that knowledge.

"Buying encryption technology is only half the battle," commented Mr Lacey. "The real question is not whether you have it, but whether you can prove it was operational at the time of a potential breach. That's what a good regulator will demand."

One such technology is the centrally-managed self-encrypting drive (SED). Designed in accordance with the open-industry Opal standard, SEDs automatically encrypt all data on a drive and store the encryption keys in the hardware of the drive itself, keeping them safe from traditional software attack.

"These drives are available from all major manufacturers," said Dr Thibadeau, pioneer and original patent holder of SED technology. "Although they are not yet ubiquitous, recognition of what they offer in terms of performance speed, security, and cost-effectiveness is increasingly widespread."

Recently lauded in Computer Weekly and Forbes, the SED is one encryption advancement that the panelists will address as they highlight best practices and developments that will enable attendees to address data breach within their own organisations.