Cybersecurity Attorney, Former Texas Chief Information Security Officer Joins Gardere
Information security expert Edward H. Block has joined Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP as a senior attorney in its Austin office. Block joins the firm from the Texas Department of Information Resources, where he served as the chief information security officer (CISO) and the cybersecurity coordinator for the state of Texas.
With more than 20 years of experience in the cybersecurity arena, Block primarily focuses on the effects of emerging law on personal privacy at the state, federal and international levels. He has assisted and managed technical teams performing all aspects of information security work, and has developed information security policies, standards and guidelines that balance protection of information assets with legal and functional requirements.
In a news release, the firm said Block joins Gardere’s litigation practice and is a member of the firm’s internet, eCommerce and technology team, as well as its cybersecurity and privacy legal services team. Block will work closely with the firm’s government affairs team on cybersecurity law and regulation, as well as collaborate with the corporate practice group to evaluate parties’ security postures, policies and procedures in mergers and acquisitions to ensure an integrated approach to addressing security risk during the transition. In addition, Block will assist clients with establishing security, breach and disaster recovery polices and will counsel on cyber insurance issues, including evaluating policy compliance.
“Eddie’s unique background in information security will be an enormous asset to our clients in navigating their evolving cybersecurity needs and challenges,” says Kimberly A. Yelkin, executive partner in Gardere’s Austin office and chair of the government affairs team. “We are thrilled to welcome Eddie to the team.”
Prior to his time at the Texas Department of Information Resources, Block was a senior product security engineer at Polycom Inc. and was the information security officer for the Employees Retirement System of Texas. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Block earned his undergraduate degree at Loyola Marymount University and his juris doctorate at St. Mary’s University School of Law.
