In the digital era, all information requires protection. As a law firm, you handle privileged client information on a daily basis, storing it in servers and computes for easy access. But doing so also exposes it to active online threats, especially if the information is transmitted over the web.
This means your firm must understand the various dangers related to cybersecurity. There are many challenges to prepare for, and the best defense is understanding how to prepare for said challenges. Here are some of the main cybersecurity issues facing law firms today:
1 – Constantly Changing
Like anything in technology, cybersecurity is constantly changing. This is because threats grow in complexity daily. Maybe not in what kind of threat they are, but how they’re delivered. Because of this, cybersecurity is moving beyond the realm of IT departments. People are expected to have some understanding of cybersecurity, or risk bringing harm to the law firm.
2 – Lack of Disciplines
So we mentioned how corroborating all threat details to the IT department isn’t the best idea—that’s because certain disciplines among workers, even in law, are needed to stop threats from successful deployments.
This ranges from not understanding how to identify phishing emails, to lacking extra security precautions. Things like encryption, two-factor authentication, lack of prevention systems, and more are just a few things often lacking in firm cybersecurity programs.
3 – Active Threats
As a law firm, you’re not just harboring any old data like a credit card number. The kind of information you have access to is a rich honeypot for malicious actors, and what this translate to is an “active threat” scenario.
This means parties with more resources at their disposal are going to work tirelessly to take the information you have. Why? Because it’s valuable to them. Law firms which are unprepared to deal with these higher standards of threats will experience serious breaches, and it’s one of the growing problems facing firms today.
4 – Insider Threats
What’s more dangerous than an enemy within? Sometimes that’s a disgruntled employee or even someone committed to company sabotage. Regardless, anyone who has left your company may still have access to insider info. This is a deadly scenario for your firm, and something which should be shielded against immediately.
5 – Ransomware
It’s among one of the most dangerous types of malware out there, and that’s because there are few ways to effectively combat it. Ransomware takes a company’s system hostage and keeps its data until a ransom is paid—a troubling scenario for a law firm.
Without appropriate precautions, your firm could face this likely threat and end up dealing with thousands in damages.
The best way to prevent these issues, and others from occurring, is to constantly update security policies, systems and ideas. Encrypt devices, have monitoring software installed and even look to a third party for assistance if your in-house IT department can’t handle the load. Cybersecurity is no joke, and a reality most companies must deal with today.
