Nicholas R. Merker
Biography
Nick Merker is a leading cybersecurity advisor who brings the context of a ten-year, pre-law computer systems, network, and security engineering background into his practice. Nick is a computer scientist by trade and, prior to becoming an attorney, he led the information security team and program at a large technology company based in Chicago. He leverages his deep understanding of Internet architecture, technology systems, and new media to help clients navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity legal landscape across the globe.
He is also a sought-after international speaker, teacher, writer and professor on cybersecurity legal issues. He has led training and/or presentations at major international conferences, including BlackHat, RSA, TwitchCon, the Global Privacy Summit, Privacy. Security. Risk., the ISSA International Conference, and others. He is also Faculty at the International Association of Privacy Professionals where he leads global privacy trainings to executives, engineers, lawyers and managers. Each Fall, Nick teaches Data Security/Privacy Skills at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, a class focused on providing law school students the skills necessary to actually practice in this area.
Practice Focus
Nick is a security engineer at heart who has a love of technology. To that end, he focuses his practice on cybersecurity issues deeply rooted in new technologies, particularly to technology service providers, healthcare companies, adtech players, and others. His substantive technical experience and deep understanding of information security and privacy regulators' expectations allows Nick to efficiently guide clients on compliance with emerging laws, regulatory oversight and obligations created through contract. He also has a deep working knowledge of cyber risk insurance and helps client understand coverage and procure policies rightsized to their risk profile.
Additionally, over the last five years, Nick has acted as a data breach coach in hundreds of cybersecurity incidents. Through these events, Nick has established a strong working relationship with insurance carriers, computer forensics service providers, ransomware negotiation teams, cryptocurrency payment providers, public relations firms, and others in the industry. When a cybersecurity event hits a client, Nick is equipped to help bring together the right team as soon as reasonably practical to start responding.
Professional Honors
- Illinois Super Lawyer, Rising Star, Intellectual Property, 2018-2019
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT)
- IAPP Privacy Section Advisory Board, Member
- U.S. Secret Service Chicago Electronic Crimes Task Force
- Indiana University Cybersecurity Advisory Council
- International Association of Privacy Professionals, Faculty
- IAPP KnowledgeNet Chair, Indianapolis
- (ISC)²
- Video Game Bar Association
Admissions
- Illinois~United States
- Indiana~United States
Education
- Chicago-Kent College of Law (IIT) (2010)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Bachelor of Science in Computer Science) (2005)
Languages
- English