3 Steps to Protect Your Law Firm

The Texas Bar Association was hacked in early 2025. Cyber threats have become more pervasive and damaging as law firms climb the target list. The very public attacks on giants like Kirkland & Ellis, K&L Gates, and Proskauer Rose paint a clear picture. And the American Bar Association's own 2023 Cybersecurity TechReport revealed that over a quarter of law firms have already been hit by a security breach.

Cybersecurity defenses are complex and constantly evolving with the growing risks. Attackers are creating clever phishing schemes, lurking on seemingly safe Wi-Fi networks, and unleashing ransomware that can bring your entire operation to a standstill. The bottom-line is that cybersecurity is no longer just an option for law firms—regardless of size. It is now a fundamental necessity, right up there with legal expertise and client trust.  

How can your firm actively strengthen its defenses in this evolving landscape? It all begins with a strong IT partner. Whether through a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or an in-house IT department, establishing expert guidance is the crucial starting point on your path to a more secure practice.

Step One: Core Security

The first step in building a strong security foundation is implementing fundamental security controls. This is the initial and most critical layer of defense. Why is it so important? Because a significant number of cyberattacks succeed by exploiting basic oversights in an organization's security. Often through deceptively simple tactics like phishing or by taking advantage of easily compromised passwords. By addressing these fundamental areas, you dramatically shrink the potential avenues of attack.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of these essential basic security controls:

• Strong Password Policies: Going beyond requiring users to change their passwords periodically. A strong password policy enforces complexity, requires expiration dates, and prevents users from reusing recent passwords. ‍
• Multifactor Authentication (MFA): MFA significantly enhances security by requiring users to provide more than one verification factor when logging in. 99% of all password-based attacks are stopped by MFA. ‍
• Enforcing the Principle of Least Privilege: This means granting users and systems only the essential access needed for their specific roles. This limits exposure if there is a compromise.
• ‍Security Awareness Training: Educating your team is your first line of defense against social engineering attacks.

By implementing and maintaining these basic security controls, your organization will establish a strong security foundation, significantly reducing its vulnerability to common cyber threats and laying the groundwork for more advanced security measures.  

Step Two: Fortification

Building upon the core security controls established in the first step, the next phase involves implementing data protection measures and considering comprehensive cyber insurance. These elements work in tandem to safeguard your valuable information and provide financial resilience in the face of an increasingly complex threat landscape.

• Data Protection: This involves implementing a multi-layered approach that considers how data is created, stored, used, and transmitted.
• Data Security Policy: A data security policy is tailored to your firm's unique operational needs, the types of data you handle, and regulatory requirements. It covers acceptable data usage practices, access controls, data retention schedules, and incident response procedures. Regularly reviewing and updating this policy is crucial to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness. ‍
• Data Backup and Recovery: Data backup and recovery solutions minimize downtime and ensure the swift restoration of critical information. This involves regularly backing up data to secure offsite locations and establishing well-tested recovery procedures.
• ‍Encryption: Encryption renders data unreadable to unauthorized individuals. It acts as a powerful safeguard, ensuring confidentiality even if data is accessed by malicious actors. ‍
• Cybersecurity Insurance: While security controls significantly reduce the risk of cyber incidents, no system is entirely impenetrable. Cybersecurity insurance provides crucial financial protection to help your firm recover from the financial and operational ramifications of a cyberattack.

Standard professional liability coverage typically does not adequately address the unique financial exposures associated with cyber incidents. Cyber insurance policies are specifically designed to cover expenses such as:

• Ransom Payments: Costs associated with negotiating and paying ransomware demands. ‍
• Data Recovery: Expenses related to restoring compromised or lost data. ‍
• Forensic Investigations: Costs of identifying the cause and extent of a cyberattack. ‍
• Notification Costs: Expenses related to informing affected individuals or regulatory bodies about a data breach. ‍
• Business Interruption: Coverage for lost revenue and additional expenses incurred due to system downtime.

Importantly, securing comprehensive cyber insurance often requires demonstrating that your organization has implemented security procedures. This underscores the interconnectedness of proactive security measures and financial risk mitigation. Net Friends can directly assist you in navigating the complexities of cyber insurance and ensuring you have the appropriate coverage for your specific needs.

Step Three: Planning

The third step in boosting your cybersecurity is developing a proactive incident response plan (IRP) and strategically tapping into the expertise of your MSP.

Incident Response Plan: A roadmap for navigating a security incident. Your IRP outlines clear roles and responsibilities for designated personnel, defines technical protocols for containment and remediation, and establishes critical escalation paths for timely decision-making.  

A strong IRP also includes a clear communication strategy for internal stakeholders, so everyone knows their responsibilities and stays informed. Furthermore, it outlines how to communicate with external parties, such as clients and regulatory bodies, ensuring transparency and maintaining trust throughout the process.

The IRP is not a static document. It requires regular review and testing to ensure its effectiveness and the team's familiarity with its procedures.

Leveraging Your MSP's Expertise: For small and medium-sized law firms lacking internal cybersecurity resources, an MSP offers affordable expertise. They provide incident response capabilities and work with you to develop business continuity plans, ensuring your firm can maintain operations even when facing security incidents.

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By viewing your MSP as a strategic partner, you gain access to a team of professionals dedicated to protecting your firm's digital assets and ensuring business continuity in the face of evolving cyber threats.

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Secure Your Firm

The security of your firm, and the trust of your clients, hinges on a proactive, multi-layered defense. This begins with establishing a partnership with a knowledgeable IT provider, whether an MSP or an in-house team, and is fortified by the implementation of robust security controls: strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and the principle of least privilege.  

The steps outlined here are not merely best practices. They are essential investments in your firm's future and reputation. Not sure how to proceed? Set up a call with Net Friends, we have helped many law firms navigate these risks.  

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More Reading:

A Law Firm's Cybersecurity Primer
Why Law Firms Should Secure Their Inboxes
Social Engineering 101: Understanding Common Tactic

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