Cybersecurity for In-House Counsel: Are You Ready?

What would you do if your company suffered a cyberattack tomorrow? Not in theory—in reality. If you’re part of an in-house legal team, you’re no longer watching from the sidelines. Cybersecurity for in-house counsel has become a central issue, and the way you respond could shape the future of your company’s reputation, finances, and legal standing.

Legal departments hold some of the most sensitive data in any organization—contracts, intellectual property, compliance records. That makes them an ideal target for cybercriminals. And it’s not just about technical systems anymore. It’s about how prepared legal leadership is to manage the chaos when things go wrong.

Cybersecurity expert Mark Sangster, author of No Safe Harbor and a leading voice in the field, discussed the real-world impact of cyber threats. His insights hit hard—and made it clear that cybersecurity is now part of every in-house counsel’s job description.

Watch the full conversation with Mark Sangster here:

For a long time, cybersecurity was viewed as strictly an IT problem. But now, cybersecurity for in-house counsel means taking a seat at the table when it comes to managing business risk. The general counsel is often one of the first people called when an incident happens—not just to manage compliance and legal exposure, but to help lead the overall response.

Mark Sangster calls the legal department the “quarterback” during a breach. And that makes sense. Legal teams are responsible for balancing communications between IT, the board, regulators, and law enforcement, all while ensuring the business meets its legal obligations. It’s a high-stakes moment—and there’s no time to play catch-up.

Companies that aren’t ready lose more than data. Operations grind to a halt. Costs skyrocket. And worst of all, public trust takes a hit that may never fully recover.

Today’s cybercriminals aren’t lone actors working out of basements. They operate like full-scale businesses. They’ve got customer service teams for negotiating ransoms, data analytics to prioritize victims, and a deep understanding of how to exploit legal vulnerabilities—especially through third-party vendors and weak contractual language.

This evolving threat landscape means that cybersecurity for in-house counsel has to include a broader view. Legal teams need to be aware not only of their company’s internal systems, but also of vendor risks, contractual obligations, insurance coverage, and regulatory requirements. These aren’t theoretical risks. They’re being exploited every day by people who know exactly where to look.

The good news? Legal doesn’t have to go it alone. But it does have to lead. That leadership starts long before an incident occurs. It means pushing for regular incident response simulations, reviewing how contracts handle data breaches, and collaborating with IT and compliance to build a clear, shared response plan.

It also means bringing cybersecurity for in-house counsel into the boardroom conversation. When the GC raises cybersecurity as a legal and business risk—not just a tech issue—it shifts how the entire organization views the threat. That shift is key to making real progress.

Tech plays a role here too. Legal teams that use smart tools for contract analysis, compliance tracking, and data mapping can spot vulnerabilities faster and act with greater precision. But tech alone doesn’t solve the problem. It’s legal’s ability to guide decision-making under pressure that really moves the needle.

So here’s the real question: if a cyberattack hit your company today, would your legal team know exactly what to do? Because in the world we live in now, waiting for the IT team to handle it isn’t enough. Cybersecurity for in-house counsel is no longer optional—it’s mission-critical.

The companies that weather these storms best are the ones where legal leads from the front, not from the sidelines. That kind of preparation doesn’t just protect data—it protects trust, reputation, and the future of the business.

Are you ready to be that kind of leader?

 Watch the full conversation here: Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 3, Episode 5 (ft. Mark Sangster)

At Notes to My (Legal) Self®, we’re dedicated to helping in-house legal professionals develop the skills, insights, and strategies needed to thrive in today’s evolving legal landscape. From leadership development to legal operations optimization and emerging technology, we provide the tools to help you stay ahead.

What’s been your biggest breakthrough moment in your legal career? Let’s talk about it—share your story.