Bob Milliken
Bob Milliken

Law firms are no longer dodging cyber-attacks. While they once considered themselves to be immune, cyber-criminals attacks are, in fact, increasing the number of attacks against law firms.

In an industry where confidentiality is of utmost importance, many consumers believe that this is unacceptable. Though many firms are scrambling to get in front of any new attacks, others believe they are not in any real danger.

Here are two surprisingly simple mistakes that we see law firms making that increase the chances of a data breach.

Mistake Number One

Smaller law firms almost without exception, believe that they won’t become a target of cyber thieves. After all, if a firm only has one or two lawyers, why would anyone want to spend the time and money breaking into their files? The answer is simple: Your attorney has a great deal more personal information about you than a retailer might. Not only do they possess all the standard information such as name, address, phone number and social security number, they also possess confidential data.

Regardless of the size of your law firm, protecting your client’s confidential information is of paramount importance.

cybersecurityMistake Number Two

The second mistake many law firms make is believing that the standard methods of preventing a cybersecurity attack will be sufficient. In some cases, the firm doesn’t want to spend the money to increase its security. In other cases, attorneys believe that firewalls and antivirus programs are good enough to stop thieves. Standard perimeter security technology such as antivirus software and firewalls are only the first step in preventing attacks.

The Future of Law Firms and Cyber Theft

These common mistakes make it easy for cyber-criminals to create costly data breaches. Consumers expect banks, government agencies, and law firms to be better protected than say, a restaurant chain or a retailer. The customer files a law firm handles might include information about a divorce or a paternity issue. They might have information about adulterous affairs.

The damage will always go beyond the data. The reputation of your law firm and ultimately the client are at stake.

Your Take Away

In our experience, many companies, including law firms, are not prepared to deal with cyber breaches. Remember that firewalls and antivirus programs are only the first steps. Even a small law firm needs the help of security professionals. Though it can be expensive, it’s a necessary expense for those who understand what’s at stake.

Experts recommend doing research to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable security company using today’s best technology. We are cyber security experts and can quickly determine the cyber-security risk at your Law Firm. Call us and we’ll get started.

 Bob Milliken specializes in helping businesses with their IT needs. Our mission is to provide the right solution at the right time. Find us at www.Compunet.ca. Bob can be reached at 604.986.8170 or by email at bob@compunet.ca.