Confidential client information, teams of remote attorneys, virtual hearings, and shared access to files from a variety of locations: technology plays a big role in helping law firms around the country operate smoothly, efficiently, and safely as cases are tried online and employees work from home.
Your firm’s IT may have been top-notch for on-site activity at one point, but in 2021, it’s time to re-evaluate your technology to maximize opportunities during remote operations.
Three factors can help you assess your current technology and identify a need for change:
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- Identify your risk: Cybersecurity threats continue to multiply, with the potential for server breaches, data safety, virus protection, and phishing scams. The first step is ensuring that your firm’s data is protected. The shift to cloud computing can increase your data security significantly. Far fewer threats exist compared to on-site server management.
- Assess your costs: Maintaining and constantly fixing your outdated technology can lead to a significant portion of your budget dedicated to IT. As the needs of your firm shift, older equipment doesn’t have the flexibility to accommodate new and different opportunities.
- Evaluate productivity and accessibility: In the midst of COVID-19, remote access to everything available in the office has become essential. Your team needs access to the full suite of resources and files available to them from anywhere in the world. If you’re experiencing periods of downtime due to network and server issues or reduced access, productivity is suffering because of the current technology solutions in place.
Moving your data storage to the cloud also reduces the risk associated with lost or stolen personal computers. If everything is saved to the cloud and accessed remotely, personal devices (including phones) can be easily replaced and a security breach is avoided.
Eliminating on-site resources and moving to cloud-based solutions will allow your firm to scale and add or remove functionality as needed. And, if your technology costs have been growing exponentially in the last 12 months, this could be the answer to upend those costs.
With a remote workforce in place, a few upgrades can help to reduce the IT expenses for your firm, allow virtual employees the access and resources they need to work efficiently, and significantly increase your security.
The verdict? It’s time for a change! Make a quick list of your technological priorities to help your firm find the solution that best aligns with your needs in 2021.
