12 September 2024
Navigating Cyber Hygiene in Law Firms
Protecting sensitive client information is a top priority for any law firm. With the increasing prevalence of cyberthreats, it is more important than ever to implement strong cyber hygiene practices to protect against potential attacks.
Common cyber threats faced by law firms
Law firms face various cyberthreats that can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their sensitive data. Some of the most common cyberthreats faced by law firms today include phishing attacks, ransomware, data breaches, insider threats, social engineering, distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and third-party risks (vendors, partners, and cloud service providers).
What is cyber hygiene?
Cyber hygiene refers to the practices and measures taken to maintain good cybersecurity and protect against cyberthreats, In the context of a law firm, cyber hygiene becomes crucial due to the sensitive and confidential nature of the information handled.
What steps can law firms take?
Assessing the current level of cyber risk is an essential step for law firms to understand their vulnerabilities and develop effective cybersecurity strategies. There are proactive measures to take, such as vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, security audits, employee training and awareness, third-party risk assessments, and regulatory compliance. However, no business will ever be forewarned about a cyber attack; therefore, incident response preparedness is also crucial — mapping out the plan should the worst occur, including communications to all stakeholders and clearly defined responsibilities.
Law firms should implement a range of essential cybersecurity controls to protect their sensitive data and mitigate the risk of cyberthreats. These controls include firewalls, end-point protection, encryption, access controls (multifactor authentication (MFA) for all accounts), secure remote access, employee training practices, data backup and recovery, incident response plans, and third-party risk management.
Regular patching and updates are vital. An increasing number of the ransomware claims we see are due to cybercriminals exploiting a vulnerability that Microsoft has recently identified and released a patch for. During this period, businesses that fail to update their systems in a timely manner become susceptible to attacks.
Cyber hygiene practices should be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain effective and aligned with the evolving cyberthreat landscape. This includes conducting annual reviews, updating cybersecurity policies and procedures, and regularly assessing the firm’s technology infrastructure.
It’s important to stay aware of emerging trends and technologies that could enhance or threaten cyber hygiene practices. Some of the upcoming trends and technologies that law firms should consider include zero trust architecture, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), cloud security, end-point detection and response (EDR), blockchain technology, Internet of Things (IoT) security, and threat intelligence.
Law firms must prioritise cyber hygiene to protect against potential cyberthreats and mitigate financial and reputational losses.
The role of cyber insurance
Cyber insurance can provide protection against financial losses resulting from a cyber attack. Insurance companies consider several factors when providing cyber insurance to law firms, including size and revenue, data sensitivity, security measures, incident response plans, compliance and regulations, prior claims history, third-party risk management, and employee training and awareness.
A law firm should work with its broker to ensure adequate coverage in case of a cyber attack. Together, they can assess cyber insurance policies, understand specific coverage needs, review policy terms and conditions, tailor coverage to the firm’s needs, implement strong cybersecurity measures, develop an incident response plan, regularly review and update coverage, conduct tabletop exercises, and maintain documentation.
Law firms must prioritise cyber hygiene to protect against potential cyberthreats and mitigate financial and reputational losses. It’s crucial to assess the current level of cyber risk, implement essential cybersecurity controls, conduct regular reviews, and stay aware of emerging trends and technologies. Cyber insurance can also act as a backstop, providing protection in case of a cyber attack. By adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity, law firms can ensure that their sensitive data remains secure and their clients can trust them to protect their interests.
Let's talk
James Wall
Director, Technology & Cyber Practice
James_Wall@ajg.com
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Law firms are increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals – but what can you do about it?
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