Cybersecurity

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Cybersecurity threats are a major and increasing operational risk for companies and government bodies. We assist customers and suppliers to negotiate effective contractual arrangements for the protection of systems and data. We have advised a number of IT suppliers on data security regimes and contractual terms required by major institutional companies and governments. We advise clients who have suffered a data security breach on how to respond with quick, targeted action. We also assist clients to prepare effective IT security policies.

Privacy

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The regulation of privacy is an area that will continue to evolve over coming years as governments and the private sector find new ways to capture, use and exchange personal information. We regularly advise on privacy regulation and the extent to which personal information can be collected, used and disclosed, as well as on compliance systems and reporting obligations and management upon client or counterparty/supplier breach.

A quick targeted response is essential for compliance, internal and external reputation but also to ensure a lengthy, expensive, uncontrolled process does not evolve. Privacy and data breach policies are now commonplace but work is often required to ensure they meet ever increasing regulatory standards and sometimes contemporary or community expectations. We advise domestic and foreign companies on the interaction between Australia's privacy regime and GDPR.

Fintech

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We provide a complete service for Fintech businesses. We provide a full range of regulatory advice, including advice on non-cash payment systems and exceptions, AFSL licensing and AUSTRAC compliance. On the IP and technology side we provide advice on developing, licensing and implementing Fintech technology. We also assist Fintech businesses with developing and drafting customer and merchant agreements.

Defence technology procurement

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We understand the framework that regulates Defence procurements and we assist our clients to navigate that framework. We assist our clients to respond to procurement requests, to negotiate and draft the terms of their contracts with the Commonwealth and other prime contractors and to negotiate teaming agreements while navigating the associated competition issues. We advise our clients on compliance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Defence Procurement Policy Manual.

We understand the suite of ASDEFCON templates and the principles behind the Commonwealth's approach to the key areas of intellectual property and allocation of risk within the Defence industry. We use that knowledge to support our clients to navigate through the Defence procurement framework.

We have advised clients on some of the largest Defence Procurement programs in Australia including, the Attack Class Future Submarine Program, the Hunter Class Frigate program and the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel.

Telecoms network deployment

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We advise carriers on regulatory matters associated with deploying carrier equipment across Australia. We also work with key asset owners in negotiating contractual access agreements with carriers who wish to deploy fixed and wireless networks. We have undertaken extensive work in connection with the deployment of the NBN on electricity poles and infrastructure across Australia. We have achieved significant success in assisting multiple clients to object to and resist attempts by mobile carriers to install mobile towers and facilities using statutory land access powers (under a LAAN).

Telecommunications

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Our team provides carriers with a full range of regulatory advice covering issues such as carrier licensing, NCDs, land access, facilities access, superfast broadband network obligations, declared services, consumer protection and service standards as well as related areas such as "do not call" and spam regulation. We assist carriers and large corporate and government customers to negotiate retail and wholesale supply agreements. We also assist carriers and service providers with preparing standard customer terms.

Internet of Things

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Our team has market leading expertise in the area of IoT and smart grids. We have advised on more than 12 large scale IoT projects in Australia and NZ, particularly in the electricity sector. Our team has also achieved an international reputation in this area, which has seen us secure mandates to advise on very large scale IoT projects in the UK, Singapore, the US and the Philippines and NZ.