Brent Arnold, a Toronto-based partner and head of the firm's Commercial Litigation Technology sub-group, has been named vice-chair of the Defence Research Institute (DRI) Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Committee. His term will last one year.

The committee is the DRI's home for cyber security and data privacy-related issues. In addition to functioning as a networking hub, it aims to keep members across the United States and Canada up-to-date on key issues via meetings, seminars, webcasts, and publications.

In his new role, Arnold will assist the chair in carrying out committee-related business. He will also oversees membership recruitment efforts, and assume the duties of the chair should they be unavailable.

The announcement speaks volumes about Gowling WLG's experience and reputation advising national and international clients on their data protection, privacy, and cyber security needs.

"I'm honoured to take on this role. The DRI does excellent work, and I look forward to an interesting and productive year working side-by-side with my American cyber security colleagues," offered Arnold.

"I'm also excited to be working closely with experts in US cyber security and privacy law positions, in order to better serve our clients in a rapidly-evolving and functionally borderless area of practice," he added.

At Gowling WLG, Arnold is a cyber security lawyer and data breach coach. In 2019, he co-authored the Canada chapter of Chambers Global Practice Guide: Data Protection & Cybersecurity, 2nd ed. Arnold currently serves as corporate secretary for the Internet Society (Canada Chapter), a global organization devoted to the affordability, accessibility, fairness, and security of the internet.

Headquartered in Chicago, DRI is the international membership organization of lawyers involved in the defense of civil litigation. It's home to nearly 30 substantive committees whose focus is to develop ongoing and critical dialogue about various areas of practice.