As cyber threats become an increasingly serious economic and security risk to businesses and governments around the world, Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has expanded its cyber protection capabilities, adding three senior professionals to its Global Forensic and Dispute Services practice.

William Beer, who previously led PwC’s U.K. information and cyber security practice, joins A&M as a managing director based in São Paulo, where he will head A&M’s South American cyber protection practice.

Michael Conner, a long-term recognized leader in electronic discovery, joins as a managing director in San Francisco.

And, Edward Gibson, a former FBI special agent, who previously served as Microsoft‘s chief cyber security advisor in the U.K. and Ireland, joins as a senior director based in Washington, D.C.

“Businesses and governments are facing unprecedented threats when it comes to cyber protection, privacy and security,” said Bryan Ruez, managing director and global co-leader of A&M’s Global Forensic and Dispute Services practice. “National security, economic prosperity and global competitiveness are all at stake as private and public sector entities struggle to safeguard a cyber infrastructure that is proving to be as vulnerable as it is important. As clients around the world continue to turn to A&M to confront these pressing challenges and protect their financial and operational interests, William, Michael and Ed make outstanding additions to our deep bench of talent in this area.”

“In 2012, there were at least 47,000 reported security incidents, 621 confirmed data disclosures and at least 44 million compromised records,” said Al Lakhani, managing director and leader of A&M’s Forensic Technology Services and Cyber Protection practices. “It is no longer practical or cost-effective to protect against every event, making the development of a risk-appropriate protection plan essential to safeguarding a company’s intellectual capital and other valuable information. Cyber protection is an international and board-level challenge that demands focused involvement from government officials and business leaders, working together nationally and across borders through an approach that addresses business, cultural and behavioral challenges.”

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