Media release: Clayton Utz welcomes partner Brenton Steenkamp with cyber advisory background to lead end-to-end cyber and data governance offering

Brenton has more than two decades of advisory experience in forensic consulting and cyber risk. Prior to joining Clayton Utz, Brenton led EY’s Cyber Response and Forensic practice across Europe, based in the Netherlands. He has extensive experience in managing multiple, highly sensitive, cybercrime and regulatory investigations. He has worked closely with risk advisors, prosecutors and legal representatives, including working alongside law enforcement agencies in Europe and Africa, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US.

Clayton Utz is the only legal firm in Australia to provide an in-house end-to-end digital forensics incident response offering. This, alongside our market-leading technology capabilities, cyber prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response services, creates a multi-dimensional offer that includes board advisory, consulting, technology, data analytics, forensic investigation, legal and crisis management services. Brenton's experience will enhance this ‘one stop shop’.

On his appointment, Brenton said: "I'm excited to be a part of the Clayton Utz team. A law firm that has all cyber services under one roof ensures the end-to-end delivery of advice is streamlined and comes from a trusted legal perspective. From mitigation and preparedness strategies to incident response and investigation, all elements falling within the legal banner allows for greater protection and defense against potential liability."

Paul Fontanot, Forensic and Technology Services Partner and National Practice Group Leader said: "Brenton’s specialist advisory skillset and experience in bringing together multidisciplinary teams including specific legal, technology and subject matter experts to resolve complex data governance issues and cyber security risks, when combined with the legal and technical skillsets and technology capabilities of Clayton Utz will provide a unique offering for Australian businesses and our clients."

Brenton understands that Australian businesses are all too familiar with the increasing threat of a cyber-attack and the growing regulatory landscape. While many businesses have taken significant steps to protect themselves, he said a significant gap remains between the perception and reality of being adequately prepared.

"In my experience of working with global Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, many businesses are still heavily reliant on internal, or outsourced IT services, rather than taking a leading role in developing, and implementing strategic response plans. Where technical response plans exist, often we find they are not fit to remediate a crisis, or provide a strategic response. Boards need to play a central role in preparedness and ensure that they, and the business, are fully-prepared for the chaotic and emotionally charged realities of a cyber-attack.”