Cyberattacks in Legal Firms

The legal sector handles a large amount of confidential information and sensitive data that must be protected, such as contracts, legal proceedings, corporate operations, financial data, negotiation strategies, and other personal and business information, making law firms a target for cybercriminals. The more valuable the documentation, the higher the reward and the amount attackers may demand for its recovery.

In 2025, cyberattacks targeting the legal sector in Spain increased by 66% compared to 2024, with a 126% rise in ransomware, and over 60% of incidents stem from human error or compromised credentials. Law firms risk not only data and case files but also their reputation and business continuity.

Why is the legal sector so attractive to cybercriminals?

Law firms concentrate large volumes of well-structured, organized information. For an attacker, compromising a firm can mean simultaneous access to data from multiple companies, individuals, and high-value operations.

Additionally, many small and medium-sized firms lack specialized cybersecurity teams or continuous monitoring. This combination of critical data and lower protection maturity makes the sector especially profitable for cybercriminals.

Most common types of cyberattacks in the legal sector

Below, we review the most frequent cyberattacks affecting law firms, legal advisors, consultancies, and management offices.

Ransomware

Ransomware rarely enters in isolation; it usually infiltrates via phishing or credential theft. Once inside, it encrypts information to block access and demands payment to restore it, even threatening to make it public if the ransom isn’t paid.

Paying does not guarantee data recovery and only fuels extortion. Real protection comes from secure, up-to-date, isolated backups that allow rapid restoration and maintain operational continuity.

The immediate consequence is operational paralysis: inability to access active cases, delays in legal proceedings, and direct pressure to pay a ransom.

Phishing and Identity Spoofing

Email is the main communication channel in a law firm, making it the most common attack vector, particularly through phishing campaigns and email fraud.

Attackers impersonate clients, attorneys, or even partners within the firm to steal credentials or trigger fraudulent transfers. A single compromised account can provide prolonged internal access without detection.

Supply Chain Attacks

Legal firms increasingly rely on document management platforms, cloud providers, and external IT services. If one of these third parties suffers a breach, the firm can be affected even without being the direct target.

This type of attack exploits vulnerabilities in provider systems to infiltrate multiple organizations at once. Security strategies must therefore include evaluating and monitoring third-party risks as an integral part of protection.

Before hiring a provider, ensure they have data encryption, secure backups, multifactor access controls, incident monitoring, and regulatory compliance. This helps reduce risks before integrating them into your firm.

Spyware and Espionage Malware

In some cases, attackers do not aim to encrypt data or demand ransom but to spy on communications, emails, and documents over extended periods.

This type of malware installs silently and allows access to strategic information such as negotiations, legal strategies, or corporate movements. In firms handling sensitive litigation or high-value operations, the impact can be critical.

How to protect against these threats: proactive cybersecurity for your firm

Cybersecurity is no longer just technology, it is part of professional responsibility. Protecting information, ensuring access to case files, and monitoring daily operations are key to anticipating risks.

It is essential to have a clear cybersecurity strategy tailored to the organization’s real risks. Isolated tools are not enough; a structured approach is needed to prevent incidents, detect anomalies in time, and ensure operational continuity.

At ESED, we analyze each environment, identify real risks, and provide continuous protection with fixed monthly rates and 24/7 support, ensuring your firm is always secure.