Townsend Bourne

Firm/Organization: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Blogs: Eye On Privacy, FCC Law Blog, Government Contracts & Investigations Blog, Labor & Employment Law Blog

Latest Articles

Government Contracts & Investigations Blog

Cyber Update: DoD Contractor Cybersecurity Certification and 33 New Enhanced Controls to Combat the Advanced Persistent Threat

June 26, 2019

The Government remains intensely focused on how best to protect its Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) once it is released to contractors. In a shift from its initial approach of “we will take the contractor’s word for it,” the Department of Defense (DoD) announced in June 2019 it is in the process of developing a new cybersecurity certification program for its contractors, which will involve using third party auditors to validate contractor compliance with required security…

Eye On Privacy

Feds Want New IoT Guidance to Address Security Vulnerabilities

By Townsend Bourne & Elfin Noce

May 22, 2019

“Internet of Things” devices are listening. And now the federal government is taking notice. As we reported in our Government Contracts and Investigations blog, to date, federal cybersecurity regulations for government contractors focus on implementing safeguards to protect sensitive government data. A gap has emerged where the federal government purchases IoT devices. Those devices collect and send data online, and are thus are susceptible to hacking and listening in. Proposed legislation recently introduced in both the Senate (…

Government Contracts & Investigations Blog

New Executive Order To Further Restrict Business with Huawei and Other Foreign Adversaries Engaged in Cyber Espionage

By Jonathan E. Meyer, Townsend Bourne & Bryce Chadwick

May 20, 2019

On May 15, 2019, President Trump issued an Executive Order (“EO”) targeting activities of certain foreign telecommunications companies based in hostile countries. Entitled “Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain,” the EO declares a national emergency based on a Presidential finding that “foreign adversaries are increasingly creating and exploiting vulnerabilities in information and communications technology and services … in order to commit malicious cyber-enabled actions” rising to the level of…

Government Contracts & Investigations Blog

“Internet of Things” Guidance to be Added to Cybersecurity Requirements for Agencies and Federal Contractors

By Townsend Bourne & Elfin Noce

April 29, 2019

In 2019, cybersecurity has become top-of-mind for most federal government contractors and agencies that share sensitive information. In addition to updated Department of Defense guidance and procedures for evaluating contractors’ compliance with cybersecurity requirements, as well as an increase in Department of Defense cybersecurity audits, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) council also has promised a new FAR clause that will require compliance with NIST SP 800-171 security controls for civilian agency contractors that receive or…

Government Contracts & Investigations Blog

More Opportunities On the Horizon for Small Businesses Seeking to Sell Cloud Computing to the Government

By Townsend Bourne & Bochan Kim

February 27, 2019

Each year, the Government purchases more and more cloud computing from contractors. But while many small businesses can provide cloud computing, the current rules associated with small business set-aside contracts prevent agencies from awarding prime contracts with a large cloud computing component to small businesses.…

Government Contracts & Investigations Blog

Recovering After the Shutdown: Proposed Legislation to Guarantee Back Pay for Government Contractors

By Townsend Bourne & Jenna Mennona

February 1, 2019

After 35 days of the government shutdown, one of the (many) issues currently facing companies who contract with government agencies affected by the shutdown is if, when, and how, they must pay their employees upon the reopening of the government.…

Eye On Privacy

Year In Review: Eye on Privacy 2018

By Liisa Thomas, Craig Cardon, Brian Anderson, Jonathan E. Meyer, Townsend Bourne & Kari Rollins

January 28, 2019

As the first month of 2019 comes to a close, it is clear that this year will be another busy one in the world of privacy. To help get a handle on what to worry about this year, it is helpful to look back on the privacy developments from 2018 and consider what will be recurring or new themes in the year to come. To help on this front, we have put together our comprehensive…

Labor & Employment Law Blog

Recovering After the Shutdown: Proposed Legislation to Guarantee Back Pay for Government Contractors

By Townsend Bourne & Jenna Mennona

January 25, 2019

Eye On Privacy

When the U.S. Government Declares Companies Cyber-Insecure, We Should All Pay Attention

By Jonathan E. Meyer, Townsend Bourne & Bryce Chadwick

January 7, 2019

The U.S. Government is increasingly taking the initiative to alert companies to the cybersecurity risks of certain foreign corporations. Whether by issuing binding directives on agencies, passing laws or promulgating regulations that include prohibitions on the use of these companies’ products – including by government contractors, the Government is becoming less reluctant to interfere in the private market in favor of warning American companies of the cybersecurity dangers out there.…

Government Contracts & Investigations Blog

The List of Forbidden Products Grows: The NDAA’s Prohibitions on Use of Certain Chinese-Made Equipment

By Jonathan E. Meyer, Townsend Bourne & Bryce Chadwick

November 28, 2018

The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”) imposes new restrictions on procurements for telecommunications equipment or services based on ties to certain Chinese entities, thereby growing the list of forbidden products for contractors. Specifically, Section 889 prohibits executive-branch agencies from initiating procurements or entering into contracts for certain telecommunications equipment or services from companies associated with, owned, or controlled by the People’s Republic of China, that are to be used “as a substantial or essential…

Townsend Bourne

Cyber Update: DoD Contractor Cybersecurity Certification and 33 New Enhanced Controls to Combat the Advanced Persistent Threat

Feds Want New IoT Guidance to Address Security Vulnerabilities

New Executive Order To Further Restrict Business with Huawei and Other Foreign Adversaries Engaged in Cyber Espionage

“Internet of Things” Guidance to be Added to Cybersecurity Requirements for Agencies and Federal Contractors

More Opportunities On the Horizon for Small Businesses Seeking to Sell Cloud Computing to the Government

Recovering After the Shutdown: Proposed Legislation to Guarantee Back Pay for Government Contractors

Year In Review: Eye on Privacy 2018

Recovering After the Shutdown: Proposed Legislation to Guarantee Back Pay for Government Contractors

When the U.S. Government Declares Companies Cyber-Insecure, We Should All Pay Attention

The List of Forbidden Products Grows: The NDAA’s Prohibitions on Use of Certain Chinese-Made Equipment

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