Fourth CyberSpaceCamp to be held in Bangalore; “Class room style” bootcamp targeted at young ICT lawyers

Held along with the International Technology Association (ITechLaw) conference in Bangalore, the “CyberSpaceCamp” is a “boot camp” aimed at young lawyers and students..In this interview with Bar & Bench, JSA Partner Probir Roy Chowdhury shares his thoughts on this year’s edition, the rise of data protection and the future of cyber law..Bar & Bench: Fourth time for the CyberSpaceCamp in Bangalore. Is there anything new that you will be bringing along with this year’s edition?.Probir Roy Chowdhury: The agenda for the CSC has been structured to keep abreast with the latest developments in ICT law. This year, we have a workshop dedicated to Drafting Cloud Computing Contracts that is being conducted by Milton Peterson from HunterMaclean. Milton is an expert on this subject and has industry experience of more than 20 years in the US. .Additionally we have a dedicated workshop on Forensics that will be conducted by the forensics team at KPMG. This will be an interesting workshop flowing out of the workshop on Cyber Crime..B&B: Who do you think will particularly benefit from attending this event? Is it possible for law students to register as well?.PRC: The CSC is aimed at young lawyers i.e. those with PQE of upto 6 years as well as professionals and law students. Though, senior lawyers are always welcome to attend the CSC. Young lawyers will definitely benefit from the CSC, since the CSC is not a conference but a class room style learning boot camp. They will be ‘taught’ and will be provided modules and assignments that would have to be completed on the spot. Also the workshops are interactive in nature. .Law students are always welcome to attend the CSC. If they find the registration fee high, they can write to me directly at probir@jsalaw.com and I will make appropriate arrangements for them. The CSC has been supported by the National Law School of India University, Bangalore and it is our endeavor to reach out to law students..B&B: You have an entire session dedicated to Data Protection. In your opinion, do you think Indian corporates are giving adequate attention to this area? Any other shifts or changes that you have observed in the ICT field?.PRC: Data protection is now not an option for Indian corporates. Ever since India introduced the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011, data protection has become a mandatory compliance for Indian corporates. Most corporates are not aware of their obligations under law and it is important that they realize the legal consequences of not following the letter of the law. .Data protection is a very evolved concept in the US and EU and with India enacting its own privacy rules, it is important for professional to be aware of the intricacies of dealing with Data Protection laws..B&B: Your thoughts on breakaway firms in the ICT field? Is there enough space or do you foresee a round of consolidation in the near future..PRC: I personally believe there is enough work in the market in the ICT sphere. As technology continues to evolve and develop it will bring with it its fair share of legal compliances and issues. Our laws will not be able to keep up with the pace at which technology will evolve and thus there will be enough work for ICT lawyers to interpret and strike a balance with what may be permissible under law and real time practices..More information on the CyberSpaceCamp can be found here.