The legal industry relies more on the web to store sensitive client and case data. So, they become caretakers of a vast amount of data. This has created an extensive need for IT security for law firms.
The IT security for law firms is important to ensure-
- Managing cybersecurity attack risks
- Ensuring client trust
- Preventing operations disrupts
- Complying with legal rules
This guide will discuss the needs and importance of cybersecurity for law firms. We will also review strategies for law firms to secure their data.
The Importance of IT Security for Legal Data
2023 Cybersecurity TechReport by ABA reveals that 29% of law firms faced a data breach in 2023. A huge data breach by Blackcats hit an elite Australian law firm. Almost 4 terabytes of legal data were breached.
Of hundreds of reports, these two show that law firms’ IT security is often breached.
But, law firms must ensure their IT security for the following reasons. Because sensitive legal data leaks can drastically harm individuals and organisations.
Preventing Cybersecurity Attacks
Hackers and data breaches are increasingly targeting Australian law firms for cyber attacks. They are doing so to access unauthorisedly valuable clients’ data.
So, law firms must use cybersecurity measures. These include firewalls, encryption, and secure access control. These are needed to protect confidentiality from cyberattacks and data breaches.
Otherwise, legal data could fall into the wrong hands. It can cause identity theft, financial loss, and blackmail.
Maintaining Client Trust
If data falls into the wrong hands, clients will face risks. As a result, they will surely lose their trust in the respective law firms.
Because clients expect their legal representative to safeguard their sensitive legal data. So, even a small legal data breach can damage the law firm’s reputation.
This will cause the law firm to lose clients and future business. It can also cause legal disputes for the law firm.
Cybersecurity in law firms is vital. It protects clients’ trust in their legal advisors.
Preventing Operational Disrupts
A data breach or cyberattack can disrupt law firm operations. This delays case proceedings and compromises legal services.
Also, legal proceedings depend on the accuracy and integrity of data. This is essential for fair legal outcomes. IT security ensures that data cannot be tampered with or corrupted.
Investing in IT security will keep law firms running during cyber threats.
Complying with Legal Regulations
The law firms must ensure the security of customer data. Otherwise, they can face legal penalties and fines.
The Australian government increased the penalty for serious or repeated privacy breaches in their PLA Bill 2022. If a law firm fails to protect its customer data, it may be fined up to $50 million, among other penalties.
Compliance with Data Privacy Laws
As we mentioned, law firms must follow the legal data protection regulations. Here, we have discussed the common data protection regulations in Australia you must follow.
Data Protection Regulations in Australia
In Australia, the Privacy Act 1988 governs personal data by legal entities. It covers its collection, use, storage, and disclosure.
Law firms must implement policies that guarantee the security of the personal data they manage.
However, if a client’s data leaks anyhow, the firm must notify this under the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme.
Data Breach Notification Laws
This is a law where organisations, or individuals are required to notify the affected individuals and relevant authorities when a data breach happens.
The law is operative in many countries including the USA, the EU, China, Japan, and Australia.
In Australia, the Notifiable Data Breaches law is protected under the Privacy Act 1988.
So, when your law firm faces any data breach of any of your clients, never neglect to notify the affected individuals, and the authorities. Particularly the leaked data which is likely to cause serious harm to the affected individuals.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The GDPR compliance is applied to the organisations that process personal data of EU’s individuals. The regulation is applied to organisations regardless of their location.
So, law firms handling data from EU clients must comply with the GDPR regulations. The regulations include explicit consent of the owner of the data to store and process.
This also includes providing data breach notification within 72 hours. The GDPR is designed to protect EU’s citizens data privacy as Australia has its Privacy Act 1988. Though they have a little differences between them in some terminologies.
Key IT Security Best Practices for Legal Data Protection
Law firms must implement a range of IT security best practices to protect cyber threats to legal data. Here, we have suggested the best practices a law firm should implement.
Conduct Risk Management
Before implementing any type of security measures, you should conduct risk management for your law firm. Start by identifying what types of potential data breach risks your firm may face.
Knowing the risks will make measuring the best cybersecurity practices easy and worthwhile.
Legal Data Encryption
Data encryption is one of the most secure methods for protecting digital data. By encoding data, law firms can prevent unwanted access to it.
No one can access the data without a proper decryption key. Strong algorithms can encrypt both stored and transmitted data.
Secure File Storage in the Legal Industry
Data should be securely stored on physical and cloud servers, and access must be restricted only to authorised persons.
Law firms can use security controls like firewalls and encryption. They can also use intrusion detection systems.
Secure Cloud Solutions for Law Firms
Law firms can use secure cloud solutions that meet strict cybersecurity standards. These solutions provide data encryption, secure access control, and regular security updates.
Two-Factor Authentication in the Legal Industry
Adding two-factor authentication (2FA) to login procedures increases security. 2FA requires users to provide a second verification method. This could be a fingerprint or a one-time code texted to their mobile device. It is in addition to their password.
This lowers the possibility of access to sensitive data and legal systems without authorisation.
Alongside the practices mentioned above, monitor your cyberspace and regularly back up all data. A recovery plan will help you recover your firm’s data and resume operations after a cyber attack, such as a ransomware attack or cybercrime.
Passwordless Login
Passwordless login allows users to log in to their system without a password. It uses biometrics or facial recognition. This passwordless log-in enhanced the security in many ways.
It eliminates password-related vulnerabilities. It also eliminates the risk of phishing. Phishing is about tricking users into giving their login credentials.
Passwordless login is also verified by 2FA. So, it makes it harder for hackers to breach your cyber system.
How an Expert IT Service Provider Helps Law Firms to Protect Legal Data
An expert IT service-providing company can help you implement the highest level of data security measures. You should go for an IT service provider with ISO 27001 certification.
Here is how you will benefit from an expert IT service provider.
Cyber Risk Management
A cybersecurity service provider will actively manage cybersecurity risks by identifying potential threats. This included assessing vulnerabilities and implementing security strategies.
The expert will also:
- Perform regular security assessments.
- Train employees on cyber security.
- Make incident response plans.
Legal Technology Security Measures
Law firms are prime targets for cyberattacks due to the sensitive data they handle. An expert IT service provider can use proactive cybersecurity measures. They can detect and prevent attacks before they cause damage.
IT service providers set up advanced firewalls and intrusion detection systems. These help prevent unauthorised network traffic access.
They also prevent phishing scams by filtering emails and implementing anti-phishing software.
The cybersecurity service provider will measure everything. This includes legal document security systems and case management software.
These tools will be secure, encrypted, and controlled with access and regular security updates.
These efforts help law firms comply with Privacy Act regulations. Expert IT service providers can do this.
Client Confidentiality Protection
Legal firms must protect their client’s information from disclosure or unauthorised access. Professional IT service providers offer solutions to safeguard client confidentiality.
Audit Trails
IT service providers implement audit trails to monitor who has access to legal data and when. Law firms can use these logs to monitor client information access and identify any unauthorised attempts to view or edit data.
Incident response Plan
In the event of a data breach, the law firm must act fast. An Expert IT service provider will help the firm implement an emergency incident response plan. The plan will help detect the exact issue and recover the situation so that the firm can operate again quickly.
Cloud Integration and Management
For law firms using cloud solutions, IT providers manage their integration, security, and upkeep. This includes setting up secure cloud environments, managing backups, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Continuous Monitoring
IT providers offer 24/7 monitoring to detect and respond to security threats in real time. The proactive monitoring outside of normal working time ensures that any unusual activity is immediately flagged. And they addressed it before it could cause harm.
Proactive technology is a set of cybersecurity practices that include the following activities:
- Identifying vulnerabilities
- Installing security controls
- Monitoring the network and cyber system
- Evaluating the security posture.
Final Thoughts
IT security for legal data is essential in this digital era. Law firms must use strong cybersecurity to protect clients’ data from breaches.
Top-class IT service providers cover you to ensure the highest level of security. At ITTechBox, we provide all kinds of cybersecurity measures to law firms.
With high professionalism and years of experience, we protect all your clients’ data. Contact us today for Privacy Act-compliant cybersecurity services in Brisbane and Australia.
