5 Things About Cybersecurity Every Small Law Firm Needs to Know

Note: While this article is written with small law firm audiences in mind, the items outlined are relevant to law firms of all sizes, as well as businesses and organizations across various industries.

Running a small law firm can be a lot. From serving your clients to tracking billable hours to keeping up with the demands of day-to-day business operations, you’re wearing a lot of hats. You might be keeping cybersecurity as a thought in the back of your mind, quietly crossing your fingers that a cyber incident never happens. However, cybersecurity can’t be ignored. It also doesn’t have to be crazy complicated or expensive.

Here’s what you need to know…

1. Small Firms Are Big Targets

Cyber threat actors aren’t just after large firms. Rather, they love to go after small firms.

• Threat actors know small firms hold sensitive client data but have fewer cybersecurity protections in place.
• The legal field specifically is a target for cyberattacks. In fact, at least 29% of law firms have already experienced a breach (ABA). (And that stat only includes those who were aware of the breach…)

2. Cybersecurity Is an Ethical Obligation

Cybersecurity isn’t just “IT stuff” you’ve been putting off. It’s a crucial component of business operations and vital to practicing law responsibly. Here are a few legal compliance elements relevant to cybersecurity to keep in mind:

• ABA Rule 1.6: Confidentiality of Information – Requires lawyers to take reasonable steps to protect client data
• ABA Rule 1.1: Competence – Expands the definition of competence to include understanding technology and cybersecurity as it relates to legal practice (failure to maintain competence could be considered a compliance/ethics violation)
• ABA Opinion 483 – Provides guidance on practical steps before, during, and after a cyber incident; an opinion widely treated as authoritative guidance for compliance and risk management.

3. Small Steps Can Make a Big Difference

Improving your cybersecurity can start with seemingly small tweaks but make a big difference. A bolstered cybersecurity posture can help prevent costly cyber incidents, prepare you to respond quickly in the case of an incident, and reduce the potential for fines.

Here are a few practices your firm could adopt quickly:

• Elevate password security (use password managers) and turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Keep all software up to date.
• Utilize a virtual private network (VPN).
• Use encrypted email or secure client portals for all work-releated communications.

Here are some highly effective projects (composed of small steps that build upon each other) your firm can undertake with the expert guidance of us at Protasec:

• Draft a cybersecurity policy and review it annually.
• Build an incident response plan and rehearse it with tabletop exercises. Don’t wait for a crisis.
• Train your team regularly (yes, this lovingly includes even your least tech-savvy partner…). Cybersecurity is inherently a lot more human than we often realize.
• Ensure any vendors (e.g. IT or cloud service providers) meet security standards such as SOC 2. We at Protsec can help you weed through those standards as needed.

4. Cybersecurity Can Be a Competitive Advantage

Did you know? 37 percent of clients say they’d pay more to work with a firm that has stronger cybersecurity (Integris).

• Protecting client data through cybersecurity does more than reduce risk of data loss.
• Cybersecurity can significantly strengthen your firm’s reputation and value proposition.
• When done well, cybersecurity can actually speed up operations, making your clients’ experience more efficient and enjoyable.

5. Start Today With a Simple Actionable Plan

We at Protasec designed an all-inclusive Cyber Readiness Package for small law firms. It includes:

• Risk & Compliance Assessment – Identify where your firm stands.
• Customized Action Plan – Clear, prioritized steps to improve security.
• One Month of Coaching – Expert guidance to implement recommendations.
• Certificate of Completion – Set your firm apart from competitors.

The engagement takes about 1 hour per week over the course of 4-6 weeks and is an effective and efficient way to bolster security, compliance, and value proposition.

Now through the last business day of summer (September 19), we’re offering this all-inclusive package for just $2,000. Contact in**@******ec.com or call (615)709-2030 to learn more. To learn more about us at Protasec, please visit www.protasec.com or reach out!

Bottom Line

Cybersecurity isn’t optional. It is an ethical requirement, a business enabler, and a way to stand out. Take small, consistent steps now, and you’ll protect both your clients and your practice…not to mention your piece of mind.