On 26 April 2021, the Litigation Chamber of the Belgian Data Protection Authority (BDPA) handed down its first fine specifically for cybersecurity failures. This decision follows others where the Litigation Chamber considered cybersecurity failures as a factor among others (see e.g. decision of 22 January 2021), and it should serve as a signal for other organisations: all controllers and processors must ensure that the technical and organisational measures they have taken to keep personal data secure are appropriate. Otherwise, the bill...

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The ambiguity around protecting data and regulatory compliance creates a tension for companies that they must navigate to stay competitive. The way personal data is collected and used by companies today has gone from a novel strategy to a business imperative. A company’s success — or demise — can depend on the kinds of data it maintains and how it utilizes this trove in all aspects of its operations. As data and data privacy evolve into valuable assets for businesses and...

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Grassi is pleased to announce that Gramkow, Carnevale, Seifert, & Co., LLC has joined the Grassi family. This addition will more than double the number of Grassi partners and professionals serving clients and business partners out of our New Jersey office. Oradell-based Gramkow, Carnevale, Seifert & Co., LLC has a rich 37-year history of offering advisory, tax, audit, accounting and payroll services to family-owned and privately held businesses. Their professionals also meet a wide range of tax, estate planning, concierge...

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If you follow our blog, you’ve probably heard of the term Edge Computing. Now, let’s present a similar concept, but related to Artificial Intelligence: Edge AI. Ten years ago, we would not imagine that Artificial Intelligence would be at today’s levels. Now, it is part of industries and even devices for customer service. The time has come to take a step forward. The new frontier is Edge AI. In today’s post, you will understand what this concept is and why you...

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On April 14, 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance regarding retirement plan cybersecurity in the form of best practices for retirement plan service providers, best practices for the selection of service providers with strong cybersecurity practices, and online security tips for participants. While the DOL stopped short of providing any analysis or discussion of the standards that plan fiduciaries must satisfy and did not provide any safe harbor relief to retirement plans, the guidance is a welcome...

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With the help of our members, we are creating a Thought-Leadership series on the impact of COVID-19 on Labor & Employment from the perspective of both sides of the Atlantic. Today, we present Lena Beck Rørvig, Founder & CEO of BECK GLOBAL CONSULTING, along with Len Adams, Founder & CEO of ACG RESOURCES, who will address: “What will the New Normal look like for Employees and Employers?”. | We will hopefully see the light at the end of the covid tunnel...

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Recognizing World IP Day, April 26th Most people associate the invention of the sewing machine with Isaac Singer and the Singer Corporation. In fact, an inventor named Elias Howe originally patented the design in 1846. Howe sued Singer in long running litigation which was eventually settled with both men and their companies receiving royalties from sales. Ironically, neither Howe nor Singer created the first sewing machine. That man was Walter Hunt in 1843. Hunt decided not to patent his invention because he thought...

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A month after the US Congress approved a record $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill to stimulate the US economy, the EU is taking the next step towards making its own post-COVID-19 Recovery Fund a reality. Last week, the European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, presented the Commission’s strategy to financing the recovery plan for Europe. The NextGenerationEU Recovery Fund will provide hundreds of billions of euros in grants and low-interest loans to EU countries. In total, the Commission plans...

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Since the 1950s, international trade and travel have increasingly become a familiar part of our everyday lives, and innovations in technology have meant that borders are less of a barrier than ever. While the digitalisation of global commerce was already gathering pace, the Covid-19 pandemic has undeniably accelerated the shift from conventional brick and mortar businesses to online services. This comes as more consumers are now inclined to shop online to reduce their exposure to Covid-19. Businesses that have been...

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