Protecting your law firm amid escalating cyber hostilities

Accesspoint’s commercial director Gary Shaw suggests that cyber warfare underway between Russia and Ukraine might spill over into other markets – offering tips for law firms to prevent being an easy target.

As tensions run at an all-time high following the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, an increase in cyber attacks targeted at the public and private sector companies in Ukraine have been reported. How long do you think it will take before this increased wave of cyber-attacks draws closer to home, and should it hit, how protected is your firm?

Hackers are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of vulnerable businesses, and law firms remain a top target for IT infiltration due to the wealth of valuable confidential client data on file at any given moment.

During a complex time like this, ensuring your firm has multiple layers of defence is imperative, so perhaps now is the perfect time to observe what measures your firm can take to ensure it remains two steps ahead.

Hybrid working is on the rise in various forms, and finding ways to maintain an elevated level of safety is crucial – as work phones and laptops will be on the move, the chances of a device being compromised or stolen increases. Consider working with an IT provider that can set your team up with smart multi-factor authenticator tools and the latest device encryption and MDM tools to keep confidential data secure, as they mitigate unauthorised data access by enhancing file and systems protections – keeping important data safe from the start.

Along with the potential threat of theft and unauthorised access to work devices, emails are becoming one of the biggest gateways for hackers to enter a firms’ IT system. Especially as individuals are working from home, there is less surveillance and more email correspondence than ever before.

Phishing attacks and ransomware attacks are becoming particularly prominent within the legal industry, making a firm’s data repository very vulnerable to hackers who wish to exploit this information. As successful cyber-attacks rely on human error and a lack of sharp focus, which is common within firms carrying heavy workloads, now is the time to explore the different effective solutions your firm can use to stay on their toes.

Specialist phishing attack training and consultancy for the whole team is a great way to ensure that all employees are not only savvy to the latest vulnerabilities that are exploited by hackers but also any new investments aimed at providing greater security are being utilised to their full potential. In addition to this, a simulated security attack can prepare your firm whilst simultaneously providing your firm with detailed reports that you can then work on to swiftly fix any issues, should any vulnerabilities be identified.

Lastly, and possibly the most forward-thinking solution of them all to combat phishing and ransomware attacks, would be to completely eliminate the need for email correspondence altogether, with a secure, cloud-based legal platform on your side and a step in the future for your firm.

A legal platform can instantly neutralise the possibility of an attack by replacing the need for emails through the secure hub designed for not only client and solicitor communication but also a multitude of other reporting and transactional features. Additionally, a fully integrated, secure, cloud-based legal platform can act as a utopia for efficiency, reporting and a network effect for your firm’s community, while also providing huge opportunities for change and a more secure working environment.

Effective legal platforms are now entering the legal market – it will be exciting to see what the future holds and how some of the innovative platforms find new ways to add another layer of defence to a firm’s security.

Remember, gaps in security nearly always start with human error, so it is important to note that effective security should start with overall team buy-in. No matter how advanced your technology is, if your team aren’t at the very least briefed and aware of the new defence procedures taking place, there will always be a chance of mistakes happening. Working alongside a leading IT provider can ensure your firm is completely clued up on the new investments and efficient training has taken place.

Now is as good a time as any to explore new and ground-breaking ways to ensure your firm’s defence is up to scratch. Don’t act too late.