Glenn Davis, leader of HeplerBroom’s HBCyberGroup, spoke recently to firefighters and fire district board members at the 74th Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts. His presentation, entitled “Cyber Firestorm, Real Threats for Firefighters: Fight Fire with Fire,” covered a broad range of topics, including current cyber threat trends, prevention and response strategies, personal cyber hygiene, and insurance coverage issues.
Davis pointed out that even though firefighters and fire departments perform invaluable good works for our communities, they are not immune to hacking and other information security threats. His presentation included real life examples of cyber-attacks on police and fire departments across the country, including ransomware and hacks into early warning siren systems, theft of personal health information, and theft of security keys. He also discussed how the growing Internet of Things (e.g., remote, “smart” home thermostat controls, elevator controls and security devices, sprinkler systems, and appliances) presents new challenges to firefighters.
In addition to heading the HBCyberGroup, Davis (a partner in the firm’s St. Louis office) focuses his practice on complex antitrust issues, corporate and securities litigation, franchise law, and internal corporate investigations.