Vulnerability to cyber attacks puts your clients’ information at risk, and successful breaches can severely impact your firm’s reputation. The cybersecurity threat grows stronger every day, so it is essential to have robust data security and IT support close at hand.
Check out these common cybersecurity threats facing law firms today and how IT service management can safeguard your firm from costly breaches.
What cybersecurity risks threaten your law firm?
The type of work conducted in law firms makes them prime targets for hackers everywhere. From confidential information and storage of sensitive client records to the movement of funds, there are plenty of weaknesses that hackers can exploit.
The kinds of attacks can devastate your firm, so familiarize yourself with these common cybersecurity threats before it is too late.
Email-based security attacks
Hackers know how vital email accounts are to lawyers. Nearly all of your basic communications take place via email. This makes email a prime target for phishing attacks, which occur when hackers try to obtain your information while disguising themselves as a trustworthy entity.
For instance, they might create a convincing login screen for a service you use. Once you are tricked into logging in, your username and password are compromised, and the hacker can take control of your account, lock you out of it, and steal the files within it.
Ransomware
This is a cunning form of malware that hackers use to obtain your law firm’s valuable information. Once the files are stolen, the hackers offer to return them unharmed if you pay them a certain amount of money. Sometimes the compromised records included sensitive client information, which can be a massive blow to your firm’s reputation.
Data Leaks
Without sufficient information security policies in place, your law firm is at an increased risk for data leaks. There are countless ways that this can happen, from using an open access policy on file sharing programs to a file being directly breached and disseminated by a hacker. Regardless, it is a severe cybersecurity concern for your law firm, and you should avoid it at all costs.
What are the benefits of managed IT services?
Outsourcing your law firm’s cybersecurity to a managed IT service provider (MSP) offers many benefits. Chief among them, of course, is enhanced security for your sensitive files. From confidential client information to sensitive financial data, there is no shortage of files for a ransomware program to seize. With a professional MSP, you can rest assured that your law firm’s private information is not being hacked, leaked, or otherwise infiltrated.
Using an MSP can also increase your law firm’s efficiency. With a strong IT team at your disposal, you will be able to streamline your workflow, making information gathering and dissemination within your team a breeze. Better yet, your law firm’s security will be under constant surveillance, since the computer management services provided by most MSPs include 24/7 IT monitoring, so your digital watchdog will never rest.
Of course, not all MSPs can offer the same services. To keep your law firm’s data secure, you need comprehensive security support from an experienced provider. A few types of managed services that you can expect from a trustworthy MSP include network security, ransomware protection, disaster recovery, cloud IT management and security, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), hardware virtualization, email support, and regulatory and corporate compliance management.
Finding the right IT service management provider
Hackers and malware can wreak havoc on your law firm and your clients, so it is important to use updated cybersecurity strategies to ward them off. Hiring an IT service management company can ensure that your coverage is effective, up to date, and under constant surveillance. The quality of your security, however, depends on your MSP.
A good MSP will offer the right types of managed services for your law firm’s needs, so be wary of providers who try to sell you a one-size-fits-all package. After all, you want to enter into a partnership with your MSP. That is why it is crucial to find an MSP that will take the time to learn the nuances of your firm. This will let them tailor security plans to your needs, providing enhanced security to protect your data during every stage and business interaction.
For more information
Do not ignore the safety of your data and your clients’ data. If you do, it might be too late. For more information, contact Scale Technology at (501) 222-8969 to speak with an IT professional.
