May 22, 2020 | Why every organization should be thinking about their cyber preparedness now – even in the midst of a global pandemic. As storefronts shut down, supply chains freeze up, consumer behaviors transform, and the world’s workforce goes remote, most organizations across the globe are facing major disruptions and are currently in crisis mode.  This all means that business continuity plans and crisis communications playbooks, are likely coming off the shelf and being put to use. But what happens if,...

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April 23, 2020 | As many businesses face major business interruption and heightened cyber risk through working from home at scale, Osborne Clarke’s international Cyber team, combined with S-RM Intelligence and Risk Consulting, hosted on 8 April 2020 a webinar covering 10 key cyber security questions that companies have been asking during the current COVID-19 crisis. We have made an audio recording of that webinar available online. This document sets out a high-level summary of some of the issues discussed...

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May 13, 2020 | The Italian version of this article was first published on Wired. As partial lockdowns across Europe are extended, the coronavirus outbreak is generating an acceleration in the “going to digital” processes of companies across different sectors. E-commerce, more than others, is experiencing such acceleration. Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, digital marketing and new business models based on innovative data’s exploitation, will be key tools for offering a more efficient and reliable service to the final consumer. It...

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May 27, 2020 | After weeks of anticipation, debate, joint proposals and counterproposals, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today presented the executive’s plan for a revised long-term budget to lead the EU through its post-COVID19 recovery. The Commission today proposed a plan for a significantly beefed-up MFF of €1.1 trillion, as well as an additional so-called Recovery Instrument worth €750 billion for a combined recovery effort of €1.85 trillion. Speaking to the European Parliament, President von der Leyen stressed to MEPs that...

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May 27, 2020 | In recent years, many companies have “leaned out” their supply chains, negotiating enterprisewide arrangements with suppliers and service providers to reduce costs, turnaround time and on-hand inventory. While these changes have generated efficiencies and improved profit margins, they have also increased exposure to supply chain disruptions like the ones currently being caused by the spread of COVID-19 and the governmental responses to contain it. Examples of significant supply chain disruption are rampant in today’s news —...

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May 26, 2020 | Previously published in Reuters - BreakingViews NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Covid-19 pandemic will spark hugely damaging debt defaults in developing countries, hampering rebuilding and recovery. Many emerging markets borrowed heavily both from official governmental lenders, as well as from international private sector investors, mostly in U.S. dollars. Now they are confronted by rising debt service costs at a time of rising economic difficulties and capital flight. We must start planning for this right away.  World Bank...

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