DOJ Cybersecurity Unit Releases "Best Practices" For Cyber Breaches

Last week, in conjunction with the Criminal Division's Cybersecurity Industry Roundtable, the U.S. Department of Justice released its "Best Practices" guide for preparing for and responding to a cyber incident.  According to remarks by Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell at the Roundtable, one study found that "the United States is number one in data breaches world-wide – accounting for about 76 percent of all incidents in 2014" and another study "estimated the annual cost of cybercrime at no less than $400 billion." Due to the rapid increase in number and costs of these incidents, the Justice Department has increased its focus and outreach and visited with numerous members of the corporate sector, private bar, computer security researchers, industry groups and trade associations, financial institutions and others to encourage cooperation and collaboration in the fight against cybercrime.