Cybersecurity in Law Firms

Cybersecurity is now a real concern for any business. The increase in cyberattacks is not something to take lightly, and today, with most transactions conducted digitally, ensuring data security is essential to safeguard reputation and brand image.

Like us, any user or client wants to feel that their data is safe and that the company will not use it for illicit purposes. This concern is especially significant in law firms and the legal sector in general.

Why? Because law firms not only hold client data but also confidential or sensitive information about specific aspects of their clients’ private lives. The theft of a file or information that does not belong to a third party can lead to a dramatic situation for the affected individual, compromising their privacy and honor. It can also affect the firm, as client trust will be lost and the firm’s reputation will be severely impacted.

Cyberattacks in the Legal Sector

Each year, the American Bar Association publishes its survey on cybersecurity across sectors, The ABA Legal Technology Survey Report. In 2019, 26% of surveyed law firms admitted to experiencing a security breach. However, 19% stated they did not know if data had been leaked or if their systems had any vulnerabilities.

At ESED, this lack of awareness is our main concern, as it not only leaves the door open but directly invites cybercriminals into the system. The equation is simple:

Lack of awareness + no cybersecurity = guaranteed cyberattacks.

Importance of a Cybersecurity Strategy

Having a cybersecurity strategy is critical, not only to prevent cyberattacks but also to know how to act if one occurs.

A law firm functions like a machine: each person has a role and responsibility. When preventing an attack, everyone is responsible. Delegating all responsibility to a single person, usually the IT manager, internal or external, is not enough; all staff, including partners and directors, must work together to prevent threats.

A cybersecurity strategy should include:

• Prevention: Cybersecurity solutions (endpoints, firewalls, backups, antiphishing…)
  
  
• Training and awareness
  
  
• Action protocols (Disaster Recovery)

But it’s not only important to have a cybersecurity strategy in your law firm; you also need a cybersecurity and IT specialist to advise you on the best IT security solutions and help resolve any issues that may arise. This way, you can ensure the safety of sensitive data and information for both your firm and your clients.

If you don’t have an internal specialist, outsourcing this service is also an option.

Consequences of Data Loss in the Legal Sector

• Loss of client trust
  
  
• Legal claims
  
  
• Financial losses
  
  
• Damage to firm reputation
  
  
• Firm closure

For these reasons, having cybersecurity solutions in your law firm is essential. But what do these solutions consist of?

We invite you to download the guide: The Importance of Cybersecurity in the Legal Sector: Everything You Need to Know, where you will find step-by-step instructions to ensure the security of your law firm.

For more information, you can contact us directly through the following link.