Andreas Kaltsounis focuses on helping clients anticipate, manage and respond to complex privacy and security issues in connected, data-driven organizations. Recognized as a BTI Client Service All-Star, clients appreciate his practical advice and ability to anticipate issues, thanks to his nearly 25 years of legal and technical experience as an attorney, an information security and privacy professional, a leader at an international information security consultancy and a federal agent investigating criminal, regulatory and national security cyber matters.
As a strategic advisor, Andreas helps clients anticipate, understand and comply with the rapidly evolving patchwork of global privacy and data protection laws, including U.S. privacy laws, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and other international data protection laws. Focused on more than merely checking regulatory boxes, he works with clients to identify and operationalize practical solutions that address risk while supporting an organization's growth.
Reactively, Andreas has advised clients through hundreds of data breach and privacy-related investigations, including in some of the largest publicly reported breaches. His investigative experience and deep technical background make him a go-to advisor for incidents involving widespread network intrusions, technically complex issues and potential insider threats. In the wake of these incidents, he has successfully defended clients in regulatory inquiries by the FTC, global supervisory authorities and multistate attorneys general, and he partners with BakerHostetler’s award-winning litigation team to defend against consumer class actions and shareholder actions.
Andreas speaks frequently to industry groups and boards of directors on privacy, data protection and incident response, and combines his extensive on-the-ground experience with leading industry credentials in privacy law (CIPP/US/Europe),* information security (CISSP), critical controls auditing and implementation (GCCC), penetration testing (GPEN) and computer forensics (EnCE and SCERS). He is also a member of the Sedona Conference’s Working Group 11 on Data Security and Privacy.
Andreas co-leads the firm’s national Digital Risk Advisory and Cybersecurity team, is a member of the firm's Privacy Governance and Technology Transactions team and serves as the Seattle Digital Assets and Data Management Leader.
*The Washington Supreme Court does not recognize certifications and certifications are not a requirement to practice law in the state of Washington.
Privacy and Security Advisory
- Develop and implement strategies, programs and policies and procedures to comply with domestic U.S. and international data protection regulations, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), New York SHIELD Act and EU General Data Protection Regulation.
Incident Response
- Advise clients on all phases of data breach preparation and response under U.S. and international law, including incident preparation and testing, employee education, incident investigation, analysis of notice obligations and regulatory defense.
Fraud, Identity Theft and Internal Investigations
- Served on a federal identity-theft working group at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington and developed priority cases involving organized criminal groups. Led two complex, multijurisdictional investigations that resulted in the convictions of nine defendants who conspired to commit significant and repeated aggravated identify thefts and bank fraud through the use of malicious insiders at victim businesses and counterfeit identification documents. (United States v. Charles Griffen et al. and United States v. Scott Putnam)