Video Transcription

Ian Duffy

Hello, my name is Ian Duffy, and I’m a partner in the Technology and Innovation Group here at Arthur Cox. So my practice is focused on helping clients to realise the opportunities that technology presents for their business and to address the wide range of regulatory considerations and requirements that are relevant to the use of new and emerging technologies. A key part of this is working with clients to help them procure and contract for business critical technologies in a way that is commercially pragmatic and effective, but also protects their key commercial interests and assures their relevant regulatory compliance. I also work closely with clients to help them understand the myriad new laws in the technology and cyberspace that have emerged in recent years and to develop and operationalise compliance strategies to address these new laws in a way that meets the compliance burden, but that also works for their business. In particular, I work closely with clients to roll out effective of compliance strategies in relation to cyber security laws like DORA and NIS2, and in relation to laws around new technologies such as the EU’s AI Act. I’m also keenly aware of the practical challenge that the large volume of new laws in the cyber technology, and digital space present for clients.

I’m increasingly working with clients to develop pragmatic solutions in areas such as governance, contracts, and policy documentation to streamline their compliance efforts in relation to this wave of new laws in a way that doesn’t require them to constantly reinvent the wheel. Here at Arthur Cox, we’re also constantly exploring how we can use new technologies to enhance the services that we offer to our clients. We’ve recently been able to successfully deploy AI-driven technologies on a number of large-scale compliance projects, allowing us to enhance efficiencies and produce new offerings for our clients. For more information, please visit arthurcox.com/technologyandinnovation, or please contact me or your usual Arthur Cox contact.

Ian is a partner in the Technology & Innovation Group.

Ian specialises in advising a wide range of domestic and international clients on outsourcing, digital transformation, cloud-related projects, commercial contracts, data protection, cyber security and information technology. Ian has significant experience in advising clients on complex and high value outsourcing and digital transformation projects. He is also particularly adept at advising financial institutions and other regulated firms on the convergence between technology, outsourcing and financial regulation. Ian also has extensive data protection experience and worked on some of the largest GDPR implementation projects in Europe. Ian regularly presents and publishes on outsourcing, digital transformation and data protection. Ian previously worked in the TMT Group of Linklaters LLP in London for several years.

Relevant Experience

  • Leading the drafting and re-negotiation of a complex and business critical suite of outsourcing agreements for a global supplier of financial services
  • Leading the drafting and negotiation of business critical outsourcings and IT contracts (including software licensing and SaaS contracts) for a leading domestic bank
  • Leading the drafting and negotiation of high value cloud hosting and software development contracts for an Irish plc
  • Advising one of the largest conglomerates in the world on their outsourcing arrangements, IT contracts and GDPR compliance
  • Advising a number of leading Irish universities on their technology contracts and GDPR compliance
  • Advising multiple clients on the development and implementation of complex and novel contractual structures to facilitate international data transfers in line with data protection rules (including BCRs and IGAs)
  • Leading the drafting and negotiation of a range of financial services outsourcing agreements for a global investment bank
  • Advising a global pharmaceutical company on the outsourcing of its group-wide telephony requirements to a global telco
  • Advising on complex data migration and transitional services arrangements in relation to high value corporate transactions
  • Advising a global food services company on contractual and data protection aspects of a cutting-edge arrangement for the operation of two fully autonomous convenience stores