EDWARD BROWN | Age: 36 Partner

Wiley Rein LLP

Washington

Cyber liability and data security issues were emerging just as Edward “Ted” Brown was starting his legal career after graduating from George Mason University School of Law. A strong background in finance, including a master’s in business administration degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, helped stir his interest in one of the costliest risks facing any organization. “I have seen so much now and the one thing that surprises me is how surprised companies are when they are targeted,” he said. “It can happen to anybody.”

What’s your top tip for working remotely?

Keep a schedule. Keep interacting and make sure you are interacting with those you would interact with if you weren’t working remotely.

How will your work change going forward?

The world of cybersecurity and data privacy is constantly changing, and the cyber insurance market is relatively young. The risks and coverages will continue to evolve, and my work will evolve.

What should the industry do to attract more young people to work in it?

Educate them. Insurance involves things that happen that aren’t supposed to happen. You get to deal with a lot of cutting-edge issues and technology. It’s fun. People who get into the industry actually like it. It’s just getting them in the door in the first place.

What’s one habit or hobby you adopted during the pandemic?

I started brewing beer.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

That’s a hard question to answer. I am an open book. I like the outdoors and people will know that about me right away.

All-time favorite movie?

“Forrest Gump.” I am also a financial nerd and I lived through the period, so I also enjoyed “The Big Short.”