General counsel need to up their understanding of cybersecurity issues with boards of companies saying they are far from convinced about their legal department's legal knowledge in this area. The findings were from a research report surveying  200 CEOs, board chairs and directors of NYSE-listed companies who highlighted cybersecurity as an area to improve. 

Additional expertise needed

The survey, by the legal search firm BarkerGilmore in association with NYSE Governance Services and Corporate Board Member, found that 67 percent of the survey participants believed their general counsel and legal department would “most benefit” from additional expertise in cybersecurity. The directors surveyed also reported being less likely to consult their GCs on cybersecurity and social media, as opposed to compliance, corporate governance and industry knowledge. Source: Baker Gilmore