3 Ways for Law Firms to Achieve More Effective Cyber Security Today
The past year of upheaval in the digital landscape has created a number of singular challenges for the Legal sector, in addition to firms’ longstanding obligations around security and data governance.
With cyber criminals racing to take advantage of the potential security vulnerabilities created by the rapid move to remote working and social distancing in response to COVID-19, firms must continue to provide their staff with the tools to work effectively without compromising the security of critical files and ensuring any potential vulnerabilities in IT infrastructure are identified and resolved before they can be exploited.
So, as we approach the end of 2021, and digital transformation remains a critical priority for organisations across all sectors, at all levels, let’s consider some practical measures Legal firms can take straight away to cultivate a more robust cyber security ecosystem…
Widespread concern amongst the public around how their personal data is collected, stored, and managed, and Government contracts requiring more stringent standards of data protection than ever before, being able to present clear evidence of cyber security best practice is vital. Cyber Essentials should be regarded as the minimum standard, with ISO 27001 certification - the internationally recognised standard for information security - now also expected by many organisations. Furthermore, the launch of the GDPR meant many firms were forced to completely revamp their security posture in order to meet the full list of requirements and are still experiencing GDPR-related compliance challenges. The advice of a reputable cyber security consultant can help mitigate the challenges associated with achieving these accreditations and ensure any disruption to day-to-day operations is minimised.
With lawyers regularly connecting to corporate networks remotely and downloading critical documents to their personal devices, version control must be considered as part of wider hybrid working and data protection policies. This should include tools and processes to allow lawyers to effectively communicate and collaborate remotely, with crucial documents stored securely in the Cloud and only made accessible to authorised individuals. This will provide lawyers with the highest level of flexibility in terms of how they work and collaborate, while simultaneously ensuring all compliance obligations are met - the best of both worlds.
The deployment and maintenance of an effective cyber security ecosystem is an ongoing endeavour, particularly when we consider the increasing speed with which criminals reveal new attack vectors. The drive to stay one step ahead of bad actors can create a major strain on Legal firms’ internal time and resources, as can the need to earn and retain an increasingly wide range of accreditations. The long-term support of an MSP with demonstrable experience in the Legal sector can help mitigate this, freeing internal teams to focus on business-critical activities and supporting a more proactive cyber security strategy, with updates applied automatically and the latest threat intelligence acted upon.
There’s no doubt that - as with all sectors -cyber security will present an ongoing challenge for Legal firms, but with a forward-thinking approach and the right support, a robust cyber security strategy can open new doors to more flexible, effective collaboration, operational resilience, and improved cost control -all of which means peace of mind for clients, as firms are freed to focus on what they do best.
If you’d like to find out more about how Exponential-e can help your own firm achieve your cyber security goals and enjoy a successful digital transformation journey, just contact us.
