When it comes to industries that are not only most likely to get hit with a cyber-attack, but also most likely to be detrimentally affected, law firms are at the top of the list. Hackers are increasingly targeting the legal profession for the “goldmine” of sensitive and confidential data that law firms hold. Not only do Privacy and Network Security experts feel that lawyers are susceptible to these cyber risks, one specialist goes as far as to say that inevitably, there will eventually be a law firm that is put out of business due to a breach.
The problem seems to be that many law firms and independent lawyers seem to view “cyber security” and “network security” as fads, rather than a legitimate threat, according to BAE Systems Detica business director Tom Burton. Burton quips, “I’m sure that in the early part of the 20th century people said air travel was a bit of a fad.”
In other words, lawyers’ privacy and network security risks are and should be an important concern. A couple decades ago, risks were not as prevalent, as technology was not as prevalent. The only steps that any company really had to make was installing a basic firewall around its networks and ensuring servers were updated on a regular basis. But today, with the complexity and multiplicity of routes available to attackers combined with the rewards on offer for successful attacks, protecting data and networks is a far more complex procedure.
In addition to court documents, the information that lawyers risk losing in a data breach include their clients’ social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account numbers, and credit, debit, or payment card information. Any company that uses computer and internet technology to conduct business has privacy and network security risks, but it’s especially important for your lawyer clients to be aware of their specific risks.
At PL Risk Advisors, we understand the valuable information that lawyers are trusted with. Storing personally identifiable information on clients and employees could open up a law firm to data breaches, identity theft, and unauthorized use of confidential information. To learn more about our Privacy and Network Security Products, please contact us today at (855) 403-5982.
