The IE Law School’s LawAhead Center analyzes cybersecurity challenges in corporate boards
Expert in digital economy and regulation Carlos López-Blanco leads a session on digital challenges in corporate governance.
On January 21, the LawAhead Center on the Legal Profession at IE Law School hosted a session on the digital challenges facing corporate boards at the IE Tower. The session was led by Carlos López-Blanco, President of the ESYS Foundation (Enterprise, Security, and Digital Society). The event brought together partners and directors from leading law firms and corporate collaborators of the Center to discuss the complexities of cybersecurity, its impact on corporations, and corporate governance.
According to López-Blanco, digitalization is not only reshaping commerce and the economy but also subjecting legal systems to unprecedented stress. In this context, he emphasized that the legal profession faces significant challenges in areas such as corporate law, e-commerce, data privacy, taxation, and sustainability.
Cybersecurity: A Priority Challenge for Corporate Boards
During his address, López-Blanco highlighted that cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of corporate governance due to increasing risks and heightened demands for preventive measures, particularly in regulated industries. He pointed out that cyber incidents can lead to significant economic, reputational, and operational costs.
He also discussed the evolving roles of corporate leadership, with positions such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) gaining greater prominence within organizational structures.
Recommendations for Corporate Boards
In light of these challenges, López-Blanco offered several practical recommendations for organizations. He urged them to review regulatory frameworks and develop legal risk maps, strengthen internal governance related to cybersecurity and data management, and conduct self-assessments to ensure the board’s committees address all aspects of their responsibilities.
The session concluded by emphasizing the urgency for corporate boards to adopt a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity management, ensuring not only regulatory compliance but also resilience in the face of challenges in an increasingly digitalized world.
About the LawAhead Center on the Legal Profession
The IE Law School’s LawAhead Center on the Legal Profession fosters reflection on the challenges and opportunities facing the legal sector in Spain and globally. The Center was initially made up of large business law firms such as CMS Albiñana, Cuatrecasas, Gómez Acebo y Pombo, Garrigues, Pérez-Llorca, Roca Junyent, Sagardoy Abogados and Uría Menéndez. Recently, other companies such as AENA, Caixabank, Mapfre, Microsoft y Telefónica.