Lockton pairs with PR firm on cyber incident response

Lockton Cos. L.L.C. said Thursday that it has entered into an agreement with St. Louis-based public relations firm FleishmanHillard Inc. to help clients with crisis management, preparedness planning and crisis communications during and after a cyber attack.

Lockton said in a statement that its agreement with FleishmanHillard gives clients access to a global team of specialists who work with companies to prepare for cyber attacks, educate employees, handle regulatory and legislative bodies and more. 

In addition to legal liability and operational response costs, data breaches can damage corporate reputation, costing the loyalty of customers and employees, affecting sales, and drawing regulatory scrutiny, Lockton said, and stabilizing these relationships immediately after a breach is critical to recovery of the business.

"Every situation is unique when it comes to cyberattacks," Michael Born, cyber team leader in Lockton's Kansas City, Missouri, office, said in the statement. "Well-prepared breach responses are essential to managing the cyber incident."