Securing email is essential
According to the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Survey Report many law firms have a ways to go to become cyber secure, writes John G. Loughnane and in addition to the burdens faced by any business in confronting a breach, lawyers’ duties of competency, communication, and confidentiality according to the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct require consideration of cybersecurity issues.
The ABA’s yearly survey measures the use of technology in the legal profession in an effort to make law firms more holistically cyber secure. The survey found that over 50% of respondents came from firms between one and nine attorneys in size.
The ABA survey provided welcome guidance to all attorneys who should be considering their own cybersecurity posture. Seven factors to consider when determining the appropriate level of cybersecurity from the opinion are as follows:
1. Determine the nature of the threat
2. Understand how confidential client information is stored and sent
3. Electronic communications should be protected
4. Label client information as privileged and confidential
5. Train lawyers and non-lawyer assistants
6. Conduct due diligence on vendors who provide technology services
7. Use of reasonable electronic security measures
The unique challenge for law firms
By their very nature, law firms routinely deal with highly-sensitive information (e.g., financial data, medical records, insurance claims, personal details of clients, etc.) that is subject to strict compliance and regulatory requirements. Emails containing such info are vital to conducting legal business—and a veritable treasure trove for would-be hackers.
As attorneys and legal professional consider how to increase their own cybersecurity, an IT talent pool shortage coupled with a remote workforce has made the task even more difficult, according to a recent law.com article on cybersecurity challenges for remote law firms. Employees working from home are particularly vulnerable to phishing scams due to human errors and often have weak security protocols on their Wi-Fi networks, allowing hackers easier access to the network’s traffic, the article asserts.
When it comes to a remote workforce and staying secure there are documented best practices to follow. Gartner, a leading research and advisory company introduced a new strategic approach for information security — Continuous Adaptive Risk and Trust Assessment (CARTA). This methodology embraces the reality of securing network and data where our digital business capabilities are accessed anywhere, by anyone from any device.
VIPRE Security can help
As a member of the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Buyers Guide, VIPRE knows the unique challenges facing firms when it comes to cyber and data security. We work with attorneys and legal professionals every day with security software solutions designed to keep privileged data secure and keep business critical applications up and running. Learn more about the latest email threats and data loss protection advice in VIPRE’s free How to Guide: Protect Your Law Firm from Accidental Emailing.
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