Law firms hold an incredible amount of sensitive and personal information that dangles in front of hackers like candy in front of a toddler. They will both stop at nothing to snatch it up.
Reputations and companies can be ruined by security breaches at firms, like in the case of Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, whose celebrity client data still has not been fully recovered and can be purchased online.
Prior to COVID-19, law firms were already priority targets for hackers and ransomware but remote work has made it even easier. IT departments that once had 30 people in one office now have 30 remote locations to secure. On top of that, Eversheds Sutherland has estimated the phishing scams have gone up 70 percent since the pandemic.
At the same time, attempts to breach law firms have grown more sophisticated and branched out into new areas, such as using text messages to access information on phones. All it takes is a single click by one employee on any of these bogus messages and a hacker can access all of your private data.
In addition, because law firms have such fast-paced environments, employees are often more interested in getting a project done than taking the time to use proper safety protocols. This opens doors to hackers.
Infrastructure also plays a large part in cybersecurity. Hackers already know how to infiltrate aging technologies and outdated software, so antiquated technology is an invitation for criminals. What can be done to combat this?
First and foremost, your technological infrastructure needs to be up-to-date. Cybercriminals know how to work their way into databases and servers, and if the latest updates and security measures aren’t installed because your technology is out-of-date, there is no preventing this.
In addition, using VPNs and cloud computing will require multiple points of authentication to ensure employees are the only people reaching your private data. Any computers used for business should have anti-malware software installed. This will prevent data loss due to seemingly legitimate software.
Make sure all of your employees are knowledgeable about cybersecurity threats. Employees should be using complex passwords and they should change them regularly for any and all devices and programs. Software should be kept updated and current. Having annual training and providing education instills the gravity of using proper security measures and gives employees a step-by-step guide on creating a safer environment. As hackers get better at finding ways to exploit your weaknesses, you must find better ways to fortify your walls of defense.
Creating a tight security system that is sustainable and works across multiple platforms and workspaces is manageable but exhausting. To ease the burden on your IT department, look to outside service providers like CloudFast to update your technology, perform a digital migration, and make the transition smooth and secure for you.
