Imran Ahmad
Partner, Canadian Head of Technology and Canadian Co-Head of Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Related services and key industries
Biography
Imran Ahmad is a senior partner and the Canadian head of technology and Canadian co-head of cybersecurity and data privacy. He is based in our Toronto and Montreal offices and is recognized as a leading cybersecurity and privacy lawyer by several legal directories.
Imran advises clients across all industries on a wide array of technology-related matters, including outsourcing, cloud computing, SaaS, strategic alliances, technology development, system procurement and implementation, technology licensing and transfer, distribution, open source software, and electronic commerce.
As part of his cybersecurity practice, Imran works with clients to develop and implement strategies related to cyber threats. He advises on legal risk assessments, compliance, due diligence, security, and data breach incident preparedness and response.
Imran often acts as "breach counsel" in the event of a cybersecurity incident, and has extensive experience in managing complex cross-border security incidents. He also provides representation in the event of an investigation, enforcement action or litigation.
Imran is the author of Canada's first legal incident preparation and response handbook titled Cybersecurity in Canada: A Guide to Best Practices, Planning, and Management, 2nd Edition (LexisNexis, March 2021).
In his privacy law practice, he advises clients on compliance with all Canadian federal and provincial privacy and data management laws. He has a particular focus on cross-border data transfer issues and enterprise-wide governance programs related to privacy and information governance. Imran is the former chair of the Privacy and Access to Information Section of the Ontario Bar Association.
Imran is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law, where he teaches cybersecurity and privacy law.
Professional experience
Collapse allLL.M., University of Ottawa, 2008
LL.B., Université de Montréal, 2005
D.E.S.S., Common Law, Université de Sherbrooke, 2005
- Alberta 2008
- Ontario 2008
- Best Lawyers in Canada: Information Technology Law, 2020-2024; Corporate Law, 2021; Privacy and Data Security Law, 2019-2025; Technology Law, 2024-2025
- Chambers Canada, Nationwide: Privacy & Data protection, Chambers and Partners, 2020-2025
- Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada: Data Protection & Privacy, 2021-2024
- Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers, 2022-2024
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, 2021, 2024: recommended in Technology Transactions; 2022-2024: recommended in Data Protection & Privacy
- Acritas Stars 2021 – Designated as an "Independently rated lawyer"
- The Legal 500 Canada, 2020: Technology
- "Cybersecurity in Canada: A Guide to Best Practices, Planning, and Management," LexisNexis, August 2017.
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
- American Bar Association (Cyber Space)
- Toronto Board of Trade
- Advisory committee at Northeastern University for Master of Professional Studies in Informatics
Insights
Bill C-26: Moving toward cybersecurity governance in Canada
Publication | October 4, 2024
Bill-72: New health data transfer legislation proposed in Canada
Publication | August 22, 2024
ISED’s consultation on AI compute: Canada’s race to remain competitive
Publication | August 13, 2024