Consultant Security Agreements: What Lawyers Dont Tell You

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Okay, so Consultant Security Agreements, right? Consultant Security: The Silent Threat to Your Business . Sounds official, a bit scary even. Lawyers love em. But honestly, theres a bunch of stuff they kinda gloss over, or maybe just assume you “get” without actually explaining it. (Which, lets be real, you probably dont.)


First off, think about what youre really protecting. Its not just "trade secrets," although thats the big buzzword.

Consultant Security Agreements: What Lawyers Dont Tell You - managed service new york

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managed it security services provider Its also your client list (super important!), your pricing strategy, maybe even the specific way you organize your files (if it gives you an edge, ya know!). managed service new york The agreement needs to be specific about what is considered confidential.

Consultant Security Agreements: What Lawyers Dont Tell You - check

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Vague language? Total nightmare down the road! check managed services new york city It gives the consultant wiggle room, and lawyers love that ambiguity, it means more billable hours if things go south.


Then theres the "non-compete" part.

Consultant Security Agreements: What Lawyers Dont Tell You - managed services new york city

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This is where it gets real tricky. A lawyer might say, "Oh, its just standard." check Standard for who?! It could mean you cant work in your entire industry for like, two years! Thats a HUGE deal! You gotta push back on that, seriously. Make sure its geographically limited (like, only applies to the city youre working in) and that the time frame is reasonable. (Six months, maybe a year, depending on the situation. managed services new york city Dont let them bully you into longer!). Theyll try!, but stay firm.


And heres a sneaky one: ownership of intellectual property. Who owns what you create during the consulting gig? managed service new york The agreement needs to be crystal clear. If youre developing something totally new, using your own tools and expertise, you probably want to own it. But the client? Theyll want it. This is a negotiation point! Dont just blindly sign away your rights!


Finally (and this is a biggie), understand the consequences of breaching the agreement. What happens if you screw up? Is it just a fine? Can they sue you for everything you own? (Yikes!). What constitutes a breach of the agreement anyway? What is the "remedy" for that breach? Lawyers sometimes use terms like "injunctive relief"-which basically means they can get a court order to stop you from doing something. That can be devastating!


Basically, dont just trust that the lawyer is looking out for your best interests.

Consultant Security Agreements: What Lawyers Dont Tell You - managed it security services provider

    Theyre looking out for themselves and their client! Read the agreement carefully, ask questions (dumb ones too!), and dont be afraid to negotiate. Your livelihood depends on it!

    Consultant Security Agreements: What Lawyers Dont Tell You