Charles River Associates

Charles River Associates (CRA) operates as a global consulting firm that applies economic and financial analysis to complex cybersecurity and data breach matters. The firm combines expertise in economics, finance, and technology to support organizations facing data security incidents, regulatory investigations, and related litigation.

CRA's cybersecurity practice focuses on economic damage assessment for data breaches and cyber incidents. The firm quantifies financial impacts including business interruption losses, remediation costs, and regulatory penalties. Their forensic economists analyze market dynamics, competitive positioning, and operational disruptions to establish comprehensive damage calculations.

The firm provides expert witness services in cybersecurity litigation and regulatory proceedings. CRA's consultants testify on economic damages, industry standards, and the financial implications of security failures. They support both plaintiff and defense teams in cases involving data breaches, intellectual property theft, and cyber extortion incidents.

CRA's regulatory compliance consulting helps organizations navigate cybersecurity-related regulatory requirements. The firm assists with cost-benefit analyses for security investments, compliance program assessments, and regulatory impact studies. Their economists evaluate the financial implications of various compliance strategies and security frameworks.

The firm serves Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, law firms, and insurance carriers across multiple industries. Technology companies engage CRA for intellectual property disputes and trade secret litigation. Healthcare organizations utilize their services for HIPAA-related breach assessments and regulatory investigations.

Financial services firms rely on CRA's expertise for regulatory examinations and enforcement actions. The firm's consultants understand sector-specific cybersecurity requirements including those from the SEC, OCC, and other financial regulators.

CRA distinguishes itself through its rigorous economic methodology and deep understanding of technology markets. The firm's approach combines traditional economic analysis with specialized knowledge of cybersecurity technologies, threat landscapes, and industry practices. This expertise enables them to provide credible, defensible analyses in high-stakes legal and regulatory proceedings.

Within the broader cybersecurity ecosystem, Charles River Associates fills a specialized niche at the intersection of economics and cybersecurity. The firm complements technical forensic providers and legal counsel by quantifying the financial dimensions of cyber incidents and security failures.