Does Your IT Services Company Protect Sensitive Client Data?

Law offices have specific compliance and data privacy concerns that are a top priority for IT professionals. Are you confident that your client and case information is fully protected?

Are law firms able to keep up with the aggressive attacks from hackers? Small legal entities might be fighting a losing battle against increasingly sophisticated attacks from cybercriminals that could quickly target your sensitive client information -- and cause significant damage to your reputation. The American Bar Association even notes that some law firms may not be investing in cybersecurity at the recommended rate, simply due to the belief that "it won't happen to me". With nearly a quarter of U.S. law firms reporting a breach in the prior 12 months, it's time to review how IT services for law firms offer the added layers of protection that you need in today's threat-laden environment. With hackers quickly gaining access to secure systems through a simple phishing attack, it's vital that law firms recognize the validity of the threats that are facing their organizations.

Ilan Sredni is a law firm IT services professional with Palindrome Consulting in Hollywood, FL and shares his insights into protecting sensitive client data.

Enhanced Data Privacy Requirements for Legal Firms

First, there was Europe's progressive GDPR security and privacy requirements for data and then California got into the conversation with their updated California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). There are now multiple countries and states that are enacting their own legal requirements that are similar to both the GDPR and CCPA but with unique complexities all their own. This is causing a great deal of confusion with attorneys throughout the country as they work with clients in other states. Without highly structured data that is correctly secured, advanced compliance reporting and privacy requirements in place, law firms could find themselves paying a significant fine due to their non-compliance. The best way to combat this challenge is to audit and consolidate data and ensure that it is stored and structured in such a way that it's accessible to clients but also remains tightly secured against intrusions. There are also some major conversations going on around a national data privacy law that seeks to reduce the overall complexity of handling multiple versions of similar requirements that are currently being enacted by individual states.

Secure, Confidential IT Services for Law Firms

Regardless of the size of your practice, your law firm could easily be targeted by unsavory individuals looking for a quick payday. Law firms are vulnerable to a variety of threats, such as phishing and social media attacks. If your professionals are posting about their personal life on social media, that information can be used to create emails, website links or advertising that is targeted to that individual in an attempt to reveal their business system logins or passwords. Once these credentials are available to the hacker, they may have free rein to the confidential information stored throughout your business systems. IT services for law firms create comprehensive, 360-degree protection around your organization by utilizing a range of tactics.

●      All business data is fully secured with redundant backups and quick access to files for recovery efforts as needed.

●      Proactive network activity monitoring, with immediate notifications to network administrators of any inconsistencies.

●      Web-based email and website content filtering, engineered to reduce the possibility of threats being presented to law firm staff members.

●      Advanced anti-malware and antivirus software with regular updates.

●      Disaster recovery strategy in place that includes active communication tactics for employees, leadership, clients and other stakeholders.

●      Comprehensive endpoint and WiFi network security to reduce the possibility of threats being introduced by mobile devices that access your network.

●      Penetration testing that simulates an attack using state-of-the-art techniques, offering valuable insight into areas that need immediate remediation.

●      Ongoing security awareness training for staff members and temporary staff, aimed at raising awareness of the various threat vectors and how to report suspicious activity.

Each stage of your cybersecurity strategy helps build layered coverage, and can best be executed by a partner that is comfortable providing IT services for law firms.

You need IT services for law firms that keep your technology running so smoothly and efficiently that your staff can simply trust that the infrastructure is working. Palindrome Consulting is the premier technology services provider for legal entities in Fort Lauderdale, meaning we understand the specific compliance, backup and data security requirements of your law firm. Contact us at 786-591-0627 or reach out to us online to request your complimentary initial consultation. The legal field is competitive, and your reputation in the community is extremely important. The professionals at Palindrome Consulting will ensure that your business technology and sensitive client data are fully protected at all times.

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