Law firms routinely deal with sensitive information, which is one of the many reasons why the industry is a prime target for hackers. Case files, client information, and other important records fetch a high price on the black market. What’s more, many law firms are not properly equipped to deal with modern cyberattacks.
Investing in a state-of-the-art security infrastructure is the only way for law firms to survive today. Without it, they face thousands of dollars in financial losses, noncompliance penalties, and reputational damage. But to implement a powerful cybersecurity system, you’ll need expert support and guidance. Here are five ways a partnership with a managed IT services provider (MSP) can help you do that:
#1. Regular security assessments
Every relationship with an MSP starts with a network assessment to evaluate the current state of your IT infrastructure and identify opportunities for improvement that align with your operational goals. Then, top-notch MSPs will conduct regular security audits to ensure your IT continues running smoothly. The assessments will provide complete visibility into your digital assets and identify potential security flaws so that you have a chance to address them before they can be exploited by hackers.
#2. Security information and event monitoring (SIEM)
SIEM software has been in use for over a decade and has evolved into a cloud-based service in recent years. SIEM provides a holistic view of everything that’s happening in your network, helping cybersecurity teams proactively detect and address potential threats. In addition to real-time threat monitoring and incident response, SIEM automatically performs data analysis and generates reports that point out what strategies you need to increase security and ensure regulatory compliance.
#3. Round-the-clock support
Even as your law firm closes doors for the night and bank holidays, hackers are working around the clock to catch you off guard. Any device that’s switched on and connected to the internet, be it an in-house or cloud-hosted server, is a potential target. That’s why you need round-the-clock remote monitoring and management (RMM) of your networked assets. MSP specialize in RMM and have personnel working 24/7 to protect their clients’ data.
#4. Industry-specific guidance
Law firms handle sensitive information, which is why regulatory compliance is one of their most pressing concerns. And since their brands are built on trust, even a minor data leak or breach can be enough to result in irreparable reputational damage.
Any MSP that has experience working with the legal sector understands this. A dependable legal technology partner will have an in-depth understanding of fundamental elements like legal data protection, eDiscovery, and industry-specific compliance regulations. They should also be well-versed in the concepts of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data to ensure that your practice can adopt modern technologies safely.
#5. Backup and disaster recovery
As a core tenet of legal information management, the availability of data is something practices can’t afford to compromise on. If all your data is stored in one place or on a single connected network, a single ransomware attack may irreparably cripple your operations.
Fortunately, any MSP worth its salt will provide backup and disaster recovery services based in the cloud. Data that’s stored in the cloud is typically stored in at least three different physical locations, complete with automatic rollovers for when the primary backup goes offline. With such a degree of redundancy and availability, your data will be far safer than if you had local backups.
Spectrumwise uses its familiarity with the unique technology challenges facing the legal sector to provide bespoke services and solutions that help your firm grow without adding risk. Call us today to find out more.
