Alyson M. Laderman, Esq.

Excited to invite you to join me next Wednesday, August 21st, at The Center off Mills Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a valuable discussion on best practices for small businesses.

We'll cover key insights on both the legal and technology sides of running your company.

A big shoutout to the amazing Kimberly Lorenz for sponsoring this community event—her support makes it all possible. Don't miss out, and I look forward to seeing you there!

Saturday Morning Musings:

I have held many positions throughout the course of my career, including managing partner, chief operating officer, chief legal officer, and now chief executive officer, and one thing that has been constant in all those roles is how not having the proper team in place can make or break your organization. The number one lesson from each of these positions has been learning and appreciating the importance of building a great team (both internal and external) to create strength in your company. To be clear, by team, I don't mean solely your staff, but your counselors and advisors as well.

Before I was the CEO of AKYLADE, I was a successfully practicing lawyer and certified mediator for the past two decades, guiding businesses through their ups and downs; growth and dissolution; and preventative actions and litigious ones. One of the biggest errors I saw companies make was choosing the wrong advisors, specifically legal advisors, for their situation. You see, the team you build extends beyond your employees to include a network of trusted advisors and legal professionals who play a critical role in guiding your company through various challenges and opportunities. Selecting the right team, particularly the right attorney, is essential to achieving your business goals and maintaining a competitive edge.

Read the article below to learn what you should consider when selecting a lawyer or advisor to support your business during its operations.

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Florida friends, take some time to run reports and set up alerts for your personal information. Also, take a minute to check your email at: https://haveibeenpwned.com/ - this will show you which of your emails have been compromised in cyber attacks.

According to Security Week:

"Ransomware Gang Leaks Data Allegedly Stolen from Florida Department of Health.

The Ransomhub ransomware gang has claimed the theft of 100GB of data from the Florida Department of Health"

"The leaked data reportedly includes service-related files, employee records, passport scans, prescriptions, health programs applications, screening results, family planning forms, dental services data, various correspondence, and more.

Potentially compromised PII and PHI includes names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, appointment details, health insurance information, medical record numbers, screening results, health policy numbers, and more."

https://www.securityweek.com/ransomware-gang-leaks-data-allegedly-stolen-from-florida-department-of-health/

Have I Been Pwned: Check if your email has been compromised in a data breach Have I Been Pwned allows you to search across multiple data breaches to see if your email address or phone number has been compromised.

Today's Topic: "Risk, Risk, Risk" - It's Not All the Same

Have you ever thought about how the word "risk" can mean different things to different professionals? For an attorney, it's about legal liabilities; for a financial advisor, it's about investment uncertainties; for a cybersecurity expert, it's about protecting data.

Today's article addresses the critical importance of understanding these nuances, how they impact effective communication with different professionals, and actionable steps you can take to improve your professional communication.

Click the link below to access and read the full article, and then let's discuss.

What other seemingly simple words have different meanings for different professionals?

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Today's Topic: Navigating the Ethical Landscape of Generative AI in Legal Practice

The Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 24-1 provides crucial guidance on the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in legal practice. Key points include the importance of protecting client confidentiality, ensuring competence and oversight, avoiding improper billing practices, and adhering to advertising regulations. Lawyers must understand the AI's data policies and obtain client consent if necessary. They are responsible for verifying the accuracy of AI-generated work and should consider alternative billing arrangements to reflect AI's efficiency. Transparency in advertising AI capabilities is essential. Maintaining technological competence is an ongoing duty to effectively integrate new tools while safeguarding clients' interests. By following these guidelines, lawyers can ethically harness the power of generative AI to enhance their practice.

For more details, click the link below to read the full article which includes a link to the full text of the Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 24-1.

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Today's Topic: Risk Transference Through Cybersecurity Insurance

Navigating the complexities of cybersecurity insurance is crucial for any business looking to transfer risk and ensure financial stability in the event of cyber incidents.

This article dives deep into the importance of understanding and reviewing your cybersecurity insurance policy before making this essential purchase.

Key takeaways:

➡ Always request and review insurance policy terms.

➡ Consult with a legal expert to ensure your coverage meets your needs.

➡ Understand that the fine print in your policy dictates the coverage, not verbal promises.

➡ Review your policies annually to ensure they cover your company's current and future needs.

For more detailed insights, check out the full article linked below.

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Saturday Morning Musings:

Every job or role has an opportunity for creativity. A chance to have a spark of inspiration to look at a challenge differently. To take a step back and approach it from a different angle.

Sometimes I need to step away from the actual work and pick up some paint to help spark that creative inspiration. To allow my mind a respite from the mundane and give it the space and nourishment to flow and discover.

What do you do to encourage that creativity and inspiration in your work and/or your personal life?

This is something I painted during breakfast this morning, and it has certainly helped get my creative juices flowing.

AKYLADE RELEASES UPDATED CERTIFICATION EXAMS FEATURING NIST CYBERSECURITY FRAMEWORK 2.0 (CSF)

ORLANDO, Florida – AKYLADE, your trusted partner in the IT and cybersecurity certification industry, has released its updated certification exams featuring the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework Version 2.0 (CSF), Chief Product Officer Jason Dion announced today.

Both the AKYLADE Certified Cyber Resilience Fundamentals and the AKYLADE Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner certification exams have been revised to include questions specific to the NIST CSF Version 2.0. They are available at: https://www.akylade.com/.

AKYLADE also announced the release of its Second Edition of “Mastering Cyber Resilience: From Theory to Practice” textbook, now available on Amazon.com.

“Everything that we have done has been updated to reflect the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Version 2.0, which was released by NIST on February 26th,” Dion said. “With that release, NIST restructured the functions, categories, and sub-categories, and expanded the Framework so that it can be used by anyone in the world, not just large organizations.

To learn more, please read our full press release here:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/akylade-releases-updated-certification-exams-featuring-nist-cybersecurity-6iqif/?published=t

Looking forward to seeing all my legal colleagues tomorrow afternoon for the 2024 Orange County Bar Association’s annual Bench Bar Conference.

📢📢📢

Don't miss Akylade Chief Executive Officer Alyson Laderman, Esq. and Chief Product Officer Jason Dion discussing "Ten Steps to Mastering Cybersecurity for Attorneys" -- only at the Orange County Bar Association's annual Bench Bar Conference, this Friday, April 26th!

Plus, make sure to take on-hand promotional materials from our friends with Cyber Risk Opportunities LLC , for additional information on how to reduce your cyber risk and strengthen your business!

It's all during SESSION 4 of this Friday's conference at Rosen Shingle Creek, from 1:40 - 2:35 p.m. For more information about the conference, please visit https://lnkd.in/eTh7GTce.

To learn more about AKYLADE, visit https://www.akylade.com/.

For information about Cyber Risk Opportunities and our co-founder, Kip Boyle, please visit https://cr-map.com/

Looking forward to presenting on this topic tomorrow at Full Sail University for the VR/AR Association's Immersive Technology Summit with the knowledgeable and engaging Suzanne Meehle Esq of MeehleLaw!

Proud to represent Akylade tomorrow as their Chief Legal Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

Mark Your Calendars for May 1st!

Akylade will be releasing its updated certification exams featuring the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 (CSF)!

Both the
Certified Cyber Resilience Fundamentals and the@Akylade Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner certification exams have been revised to include questions specific to the NIST CSF 2.0.

We have also revised the "Mastering Cyber Resilience: From Theory to Practice" textbook (Second Edition), which will be released on Amazon on May 1st!

To receive the latest AKYLADE updates as well as special discount pricing, sign up for our newsletter at https://www.akylade.com.

This bears repeating every year and is worth a friendly reminder: today is International Be Kind to Lawyers Day

Some may find it hard to be kind to lawyers — that’s because you call us in times of trouble.

We are the fixers. Your Counselors. Your trusted advisors.

You hire a lawyer when you need help and guidance — someone to fix or head off your legal issues. It’s often not fun or enjoyable to have to work with a lawyer as the lawyer’s job is to provide tough love and legal guidelines.

We oftentimes have to tell you things you don’t want to hear.

You take your struggles and challenges and thrust them upon your lawyer's shoulders, relying on their ability and skills to find solutions and pathways forward in sometimes unrealistic timeframes and in precarious circumstances.

People assume that we should work for free — that our advice is just a quick Google search — and yet what you don’t see are the countless hours of lost sleep we have spent thinking about your legal issue and the best strategy forward.

We are the fodder for jokes, and yet we keep your secrets.

People complain about lawyer bills, and yet we are expected to be available anytime you’re in a crisis.

What many don't understand or appreciate is the mental toll the practice of law can take on your lawyer. Lawyers have one of the highest rates of mental health challenges, including depression, su***de, and substance abuse, in any profession. Anxiety levels for lawyers has peaked at over 71% of all practicing lawyers as of 2023.

https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/mental-health-initiatives-arent-curbing-lawyer-stress-and-anxiety-new-study-shows

So, today on International Be Kind to Lawyers Day, show your lawyers a little appreciation for having this difficult job. You never know when you’re going to need their help.

For my Florida lawyer friends, help is out there. You are not alone in this.

The Florida Bar has a Florida Lawyers Helpline (833-351-9355). It is a free and completely confidential service that connects members with professional counselors. Calls are always free. You may be referred for up to five free counseling sessions per year to help you develop strategies to overcome life’s challenges, balance priorities, and better handle both personal and professional pressures. Please use this valuable resource.

TL/DR: Be kind. It costs you nothing, but might mean everything to the recipient. You never know what someone else is going through, especially those whose job it is to worry about you and to help you in your most challenging of times along with countless others simultaneously.

Mental health initiatives aren’t curbing lawyer stress and anxiety, new study shows Despite increasing focus on mental health and well-being in the legal profession, lawyers are reportedly dealing with more stress, anxiety and depression, according to the 2023 ALM and Law.com Compass Mental Health Survey of the Legal Profession.

We have been busy! Check out our updated website - now with user portal to track your certifications and your CEUs!

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

Akylade is thrilled to announce the launch of its updated website! Now, candidates can easily access their certifications and track their continuing education credits right from the user portal on the AKYLADE website. 💻✨

Discover all the new features and enhancements awaiting you at https://www.akylade.com

Looking forward to presenting with Kip Boyle at the Annual
Orange County Bar Association’s Bench Bar Conference on April 26, 2024 in Orlando, FL! It will be great to catch up with my colleagues and lawyer friends.

We are planning an informational, timely session with actionable steps you can take as a lawyer to protect your practice.

Join us for “Ten Steps to Mastering Cybersecurity for Attorneys”!

Register at: https://orangecountybar.org/page/bench-bar-conference

Bench Bar Conference | Orange County Bar Association Join us on April 26, 2024, for the 2024 Bench Bar Conference presented by the Orange County Bar Association. Discover the theme 'Bring Home the Gold' and gain insights from legal professionals. Keynote speaker Johnny Quinn, former NFL player and Olympian, will inspire you with his journey to success...

Love is like cybersecurity, it requires constant vigilance to protect against vulnerabilities. Happy Valentine's Day!

Show yourself some love this Valentine's Day by taking advantage of the special pricing for Akylade's CCRF exam and CCRP beta exam!

From now through March 31, 2024, the CCRF exam will be available at the special, reduced rate of $25 (standard price is $125), and the CCRP beta exam will be offered at a special reduced price of just $80 (standard price is $200).

Only those who have passed the Akylade Certified Cyber Resilience Fundamentals (A/CCRF) exam should take the newly-launched A/CCRP beta exam, as the A/CCRF is the foundational knowledge necessary for the A/CCRP certification. Both exams can be purchased via: https://certiverse.com/ #/store/Akylade

Once you purchase a voucher, you will have 7 days to take your exam.

As a sweet treat this Valentine's Day, you can download a free PDF copy of the textbook (a $20 value), by visiting: https://www.akylade.com/beta

Additional information about the A/CCRP can be found at: https://www.akylade.com/accrp

For more information, contact AKYLADE at [email protected].

ICYMI: AKYLADE NEWS: Akylade Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner exam is now live!

AKYLADE, your trusted partner in the IT and cybersecurity certification industry, has officially launched its Beta version of the Akylade Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner exam.

"With it now being live, we are looking for 100 people to take the Beta version of the exam," said Jason Dion, Chief Product Officer for AKYLADE. "If you sign up and successfully pass, you'll be one of the first people in the world to get this certification!"

The exam tests the practical application of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity framework. During this Beta launch, the exam will be offered at a special reduced price of just $80 (standard price is $200) through March 31, 2024. It focuses on the practical application of the information learned from Chapters 10-14 of the “Mastering Cyber Resilience” textbook.

Only those who have passed the Akylade Certified Cyber Resilience Fundamentals (A/CCRF) exam should take the newly-launched A/CCRP Beta exam, as the A/CCRF is the foundational knowledge necessary for the A/CCRP certification. So that everyone can participate in the special pricing, the A/CCRF is also being offered at a reduced price of just $25 (standard price is $125) through March 15, 2024. Both exams can be purchased via: https://certiverse.com/ #/store/Akylade

Once you purchase a voucher, you will have 7 days to take your exam.

"And to help pass both exams, we are also offering a free PDF of the "Mastering Cyber Resilience" textbook for a limited time," said Kip Boyle, AKYLADE'S Chief Executive Officer. "It is not necessary to pass the exams, but it certainly can help prepare you to potentially pass."

To receive your free PDF of the textbook (a $20 value), visit: https://www.akylade.com/beta

Paperback or Kindle versions can be purchased via Amazon at: https://a.co/d/bWVXymm

Additional information about the A/CCRP can be found at: https://www.akylade.com/accrp

New beta exam for Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioners is now LIVE! For details, please check out the post below.

Akylade NEWS: Akylade Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner exam is now live!

ORLANDO, Florida – As of this morning (Thursday, February 1st, 2024), AKYLADE, your trusted partner in the IT and cybersecurity certification industry, has officially launched its Beta version of the Akylade Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner exam.

"With it now being live, we are looking for 100 people to take the Beta version of the exam," said Jason Dion, Chief Product Officer for AKYLADE. "If you sign up and successfully pass, you'll be one of the first people in the world to get this certification!"

The exam tests the practical application of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity framework. During this Beta launch, the exam will be offered at a special reduced price of just $80 (standard price is $200) through March 31, 2024. It focuses on the practical application of the information learned from Chapters 10-14 of the “Mastering Cyber Resilience” textbook.

Only those who have passed Akylade Certified Cyber Resilience Fundamentals's (A/CCRF) exam should take the newly-launched A/CCRP Beta exam, as the A/CCRF is the foundational knowledge necessary for the A/CCRP certification. So that everyone can participate in the special pricing, the A/CCRF is also being offered at a reduced price of just $25 (standard price is $125) through March 15, 2024. Both exams can be purchased via: https://lnkd.in/edCT6KX7

Once you purchase a voucher, you will have 7 days to take your exam.

"And to help pass both exams, we are also offering a free PDF of the "Mastering Cyber Resilience" textbook for a limited time," said Kip Boyle, AKYLADE'S Chief Executive Officer. "It is not necessary to pass the exams, but it certainly can help prepare you to potentially pass."

To receive your free PDF of the textbook (a $20 value), visit: https://lnkd.in/eVByAPD3

Paperback or Kindle versions can be purchased via Amazon at: https://a.co/d/bWVXymm

Additional information about the A/CCRP can be found at: https://lnkd.in/e_FsweUV

Exam objectives for both the A/CCRF and A/CCRP can be found at: https://lnkd.in/eSGcvHwq

For more information, contact AKYLADE at [email protected].

Saturday Morning Musings: I'm genuinely curious - how did you know "what you wanted to be when you grew up?"

For me, I was groomed from an early age that I was going to be an attorney. It was the only option ever presented. I "knew" from grade school onwards that law was the only profession for me. I took legal studies in high school, majored in legal studies in college, went directly to law school and then straight into my first attorney job. My grandparents and father were so proud. Along the way I had other interests, such as technology and the arts, and participated in more creative avenues and loved them, including yearbook editor, literary magazine editor, newspaper writer and editor, and law review editor. Yet, I remained focused on becoming a lawyer, even when it didn't feel quite right, because that was the goal.

For the last two decades, I have practiced as an attorney, exploring every field where I found opportunity - criminal law, construction law, commercial litigation, mediation, civil litigation, personal injury, employment litigation, business law, and insurance litigation. Lots of positions. Lots of company changes. Lots of personal growth. And, though I always put my best foot forward, being an attorney never quite fit. I was successful. My clients were always well-represented and satisfied, but it took a concerted effort for me to keep going year after year. It was draining in ways that I cannot adequately describe (not including the sexism & discrimination I consistently faced along with way).

Then, slowly but surely, over the last decade I started to figure out what I truly enjoyed about my job -- [spoiler] it wasn't the lawyering part (though there is a certain thrill to presenting a case in court & a rewarding feeling when you help a client achieve their goals). It was the business part. It was designing, creating, and building something -- anything -- a business, the systems, a highly functional and talented team, and then helping it grow and thrive. It was dealing with changes and challenges and then figuring out a solution.

Oddly this all came to be as a result of participating in escape rooms with members of my team. It started with one room, and I was hooked. Over time and participation in lots of rooms with my teams over the years, I realized how I fit in my organizations -- the roles that I automatically assumed and the roles and responsibilities that I enjoyed -- it was the same roles that I assumed when playing with my team. These room experiences clearly showed me how my team and I interacted with each other, and spotlighted our strengths, challenges, and how we approached them collectively and individually.

This year I am grateful for the new opportunity at Akylade , where I enjoy the creative and growth process. I don't think I've ever grown up, but I have at least discovered what it is I enjoy doing for "work" - as this work now feels more like play for me, and that's wonderful.

Exciting news from my new position at Akylade!

AKYLADE NEWS: Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner exam to go live on February 1st

Akylade, your trusted partner in the cybersecurity certification industry, will be launching its Beta version of the AKYLADE Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner exam on February 1st, 2024 at reduced pricing, it was announced today.

The exam tests the practical application of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity framework. During its Beta launch, the exam will be offered at a special reduced price of just $80 (standard price is $200).

Beginning February 1st, the beta exam can be purchased via: https://certiverse.com/ #/store/Akylade

Once the voucher is purchased, users have just seven days to take the examination.

Additional information about the exam can be found at: https://www.akylade.com/accrp

Certiverse Jason Dion Kip Boyle Lee Marer Akylade Certified

AKYLADE NEWS: Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner exam to go live on February 1st

Akylade, your trusted partner in the cybersecurity certification industry, will be launching its Beta version of the AKYLADE Certified Cyber Resilience Practitioner exam on February 1st, 2024 at reduced pricing, it was announced today.

The exam tests the practical application of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity framework. During its Beta launch, the exam will be offered at a special reduced price of just $80 (standard price is $200).

Beginning February 1st, the beta exam can be purchased via: https://certiverse.com/ #/store/Akylade

Once the voucher is purchased, users have just seven days to take the examination.

Additional information about the exam can be found at: https://www.akylade.com/accrp

Jason Dion Kip Boyle Alyson M. Laderman, Esq. Lee Marer Akylade Certified Certiverse

IMPORTANT LAW FIRM UPDATE:

I’m ecstatic to share that starting January 1st, I will be leaving the active practice of law to join Jason Dion and Kip Boyle at their new company Akylade, as their Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer. This video is a recent interview with Jason explaining what Akylade is, why it was created, and how it’s going to help the cyber risk management community.

Laderman LaPorte Law will cease operations at the end of this month. My current law partner, Michael LaPorte, will continue to serve clients in his own firm, LaPorte Law (LLFla.com / [email protected]).

As Akylade's chief legal officer, I will continue to keep in touch with those in the active practice of law and will remain available to make recommendations to colleagues who can assist my friends with their legal needs. I, though, will not be taking on any cases or matters to handle personally.

I’ve learned over recent years what I’ve enjoyed most about the practice of law wasn’t the practice necessarily, but instead the business, management, and operations side. This new adventure affords me the opportunity to continue to grow my skills and interests in these areas with two experts in the cybersecurity field (and successful entrepreneurs) guiding my way - truly exhilarating!
I am beyond blessed to be part of growing this new business and am excited to see where this new journey leads.

Thank you for all your friendship and support and referrals these past 20 years. 🫶 🙏

Foundational Cyber Skills: Mastering the Basics 🎄Enter to Win one of 5 Akylade Certified Cyber Resilience Fundamentals (A/CCRF) Bundles: https://sweepwidget.com/c/75795-5mr0thew (Code In Video)🎄If you're...

Take joy in the Festival of Lights; spread joy and love to those you meet.

Happy Hanukkah!

Nothing serves as a better reminder that you’ve been a practicing lawyer for over 2 decades quite like finding a Blockbuster video card as a bookmark in a book about jury dynamics. 🤣📼🧓🏼

Today’s random heart was in my breakfast — it’s a warm berry soup — and a raspberry heart appeared.

“Synchronicities are signs from the universe, orchestrated by our loved ones in spirit to assure us that everything is interconnected and guided by love.”
– Unknown

Happy Thanksgiving from our favorite turkey! Had a nice visit with Dad this morning and brought him treats for the holiday. Now to spend the rest of the day cooking for friends and family. We are blessed and grateful to have enough to share with others. ❤️🦃🙏🏻