How Law Firms Can Make Cybersecurity a Priority in 2018
Law firms, an obvious target for cybercriminals, have servers holding sensitive data like business IP, bank information, medical records, and other personal information. What can they do to make cybersecurity a priority in 2018?
Law firms bear an ethical obligation to keep client data confidential, but while handy in the courtroom, not all law firms are as adept when it comes to abiding by best security practices. But, lawyers, don’t worry – AlphaRidge is here to help! Here are some of our tips for keeping your legal environment secure:
IoT Policy
The Internet of Things (IoT) exposes your organization to a vast surface area of vulnerabilities. Your firm should have policies for mobile devices like laptops, cell phones, and tablets. Suppose an employee brings in an unsecured notebook that belongs to their spouse or a friend and uses it to access your office network. In that case, it will introduce your environment to new vulnerabilities. Requiring that employees own the tech that they bring into the office and enforcing security standards brings you a step closer to limiting your vulnerability. Cameras and other IoT devices should be locked down so that hackers can not penetrate them.
Detection & Response
Your firm must implement measures for detecting and preventing security compromises. Most cybersecurity experts will tell you that no organization is immune; you may have heard, “It’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when.” If you suspect that you have been compromised, turn off your computer to prevent any further damage and contact your IT. Ensure that you have a response plan in place that takes appropriate users and vendors into consideration, which will help to decrease your potential losses significantly. Also, ensure your project is reviewed and updated regularly, as security measures are changing continuously.
Proactive Monitoring
Cisco’s 2017 Annual Security Report revealed that 44% of security alerts aren’t investigated, and in 2015, 40% of CISOs interviewed said they did not have system patching programs in place. AlphaRidge ensures that our clients have a system of monitoring and applying system patches and updates for all of your business-critical programs; when selecting an MSP or evaluating your internal IT department, be sure that they do too.
Employee Training
These two words so many people hate putting together. Employee training, while occasionally tedious, is a crucial part of your environment’s security – we have a list of 7 Office Cybersecurity Tips to help you get started.
Ask the Experts
Invest in a team that can dedicate the time and expertise to help you make the best and most informed technology decisions for your firm. According to LogicForce’s quarterly report, as much as 40% of law firms were unaware of data breaches. As many as 95% were not even compliant with their own data governance policies. You don’t need a massive IT and security budget to have a respectful and adequate infrastructure.
