In today’s world, nobody’s entirely immune from the threats that lurk in dark digital spaces. Every industry and business sector, including the legal arena, is a target for cybercriminals and hackers looking to profit off sensitive data.
Cybersecurity concerns in law firms have become more prominent, given the sensitive data these firms work with and the increasing trend of remote working in the legal industry. However, law firms are still a long way off proper cybersecurity measures, as many don’t take cybersecurity as seriously as their clients. Below are some insights into the state of cybersecurity in today’s law firms.
Phishing scams are still on the rise.
Phishing scams continue to be rampant in the legal industry due to the amounts of sensitive data law firms pass through digital sources. Scammers may use fraudulent emails or spoof the emails of colleagues, clients, or authority figures to direct unsuspecting users to phishing sites. On these sites, users may be asked for sensitive information via email, led to input passwords on fake login pages, sign fake e-sign documents, among others. To combat this, experts advise law firms to use secure passwords, avoid using passwords on multiple platforms, ignore suspicious links, and use double-authentication. Many litigators are practicing these extraordinary cybersecurity measures to great effect. Reliable legal organizations such as the WIN Injury Network are good examples of such companies.
The WIN Injury Network is a network of legal, medical, and financial services that ensures injured employees can better cope with their injuries. They ensure that injured workers receive proper medical care through MRIs, physical therapy, surgeries, among others. Employees can also access quality legal advice and representation to help them get the appropriate compensation for their pain and suffering. You may receive financial compensation like weekly salaries throughout your healing period. Pre-settlement loans are also available to employees who sustain injuries at their place of business. The WIN Injury Network’s lawyers have extensive experience handling workers’ injury claims, ensuring that employers and insurance companies are held accountable for your medical expenses. What’s more, their experienced professionals are genuinely helpful, assisting many victims of work-related accidents in receiving the appropriate compensation benefits due them.
Data breaches remain common within law firms.
Law firms store and send sensitive data, so they suffer a naturally higher-than-average risk for data breaches. Malware infections and direct hack attempts are still prevalent in the industry, with hackers making away with sensitive client data and financial information. However, preventing data leaks in the legal sector is possible with the right combination of security policies and tools. Firms can have network security components like access control, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and communication security. Antiviruses, Security Information and Event Management Systems (SIEM), and using secure websites are also efficient in preventing data breaches. Secure websites are vital, whether you’re running a law firm or running for political office. Trusted custom website creators such as Online Candidate can help people running for office create effective websites.
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Secure file sharing is a must.
Many experts advise that law firms prioritize secure file sharing, given that file-sharing can have dire cybersecurity consequences if left unprotected. Legal professionals and support staff at firms exchange privileged information with colleagues, clients, co-counsels, law clerks, and more. As such, consumer-grade file-sharing tools like Google Drive must be ignored because they’re ill-equipped to prevent access to stolen information. Instead, experts advise firms to choose enterprise-grade file sharing solutions that can encrypt sensitive data, rendering it useless when stolen. Many lawyers and their law firms are using a secure file sharing solutions to protect their sensitive data. Reputable attorneys such as Malliha Wilson are examples of such lawyers.
Malliha Wilson is a Tamil Canadian attorney who served as the Assistant Deputy Attorney General of the Ontario Government from April 2008 to November 2016. Malliha is an alumnus of McGill University, completing her law degree at York University in Toronto. She has extensive public service experience gained from her more than 30 years of service to the Ontario Government within the Senior Appellate Litigation Counsel. Malliha Wilson was also the Special Legal Advisor at the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO). She participated in over 20 important legal presented to the Supreme Court of Canada and the Ontario Court of Appeal. Presently, she’s a senior partner at Nava Wilson LLP, a law firm providing services in Corporate Law, Real Estate, and Litigation. Malliha Wilson specializes in indigenous, constitutional, human rights, corporate, labor law, and other complex litigation.
Cybersecurity is a significant concern for businesses across all sectors, including the legal industry. The above-listed points are some insights into cybersecurity threats and best practices in law firms.