Protecting your law firm in the age of remote working

Ever more work is undertaken in the digital world, with files exchanged, confidential emails and client funds all at risk from the heightened potential for cyberattacks. It was hard to protect a business when everyone worked with secure systems in the office, but remote working has introduced new vulnerabilities and new challenges.

Remote working and the cybersecurity risks

Remote working undoubtedly offers benefits, although for many business owners these have been overstated, but it also presents unique cybersecurity concerns for UK law firms. The key areas of concern include employees working from home using unsecured personal devices, which lack the same security protocols as office computers.

Unsecured Wi-Fi networks also pose a risk to those working remotely, who may believe the local coffee shop is a good choice and connect to public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks, exposing sensitive data to potential eavesdropping, interception or spoofing attacks.

The increased reliance on email communication makes law firms prime targets for phishing and social engineering attacks, designed to gain access to secure systems or steal sensitive information.

Accidental data leaks or intentional theft can result in the exposure of confidential client data and this can often occur without the firm being aware of the problem, until data appears in public. This issue also causes compliance challenges for law firms, which must comply with data protection regulations, such as UK GDPR, which adds additional complexity when managing data security for remote workers.

Enhanced cybersecurity to address remote working

Despite the risks and evidence that law firms are a primary target for cyber-criminals, there are steps UK law firms can take to mitigate these risks and protect themselves in the age of remote work, starting with the implementation a comprehensive security policy, which outlines clear guidelines for secure remote access, data handling and password management.

Another important step is investing in strong endpoint security solutions, equipping all devices, both personal and work-issued, with robust antivirus, antimalware, and firewall software. Just as important is providing cybersecurity training to help employees understand common cyber threats, recognise phishing attempts and develop best practices for data security.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds extra security layer to logins, requiring an additional verification code to access accounts and utilising secure remote access solutions that encrypt data and authenticate users before granting access to the firm's network will reduce risk. Granting access to sensitive data only to authorised personnel and on a ‘need-to-know’ basis, also makes sense.

Risk is further reduced by migrating sensitive data to secure Cloud-based storage solutions that offer robust encryption and restrictive access controls. Making regular backups of critical data, ideally including immutable backups that cannot be encrypted and held for ransom by hackers will tick another vulnerability off the list.

Finally, design and implement a disaster recovery plan to ensure business continuity in case of a serious cyberattack.

Compliance considerations

It's crucial that UK law firms ensure their cybersecurity practices comply with relevant data protection regulations such as the UK GDPR, which includes implementing appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard personal data.

Reporting breaches or loss of confidential information to the SRA may be necessary, even where there is no obligation to take action under UK GDPR. The SRA enforcement strategy acknowledges information security is of high importance to the public.

For example, when considering the impact of a data breach, the SRA opines that while enforcement of data protection legislation concerns the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), if the breach discloses confidential client information, the SRA will investigate that as a regulatory offence.

In conclusion

Cybersecurity is an ongoing concern, predicated on the knowledge that years, if not hundreds of years of hard work can be undone by a single, simple mouse click. Even if remote working loses its appeal, it will continue and necessitate a proactive approach to cybersecurity from UK law firms.

By implementing robust cybersecurity measures, raising employee awareness and prioritising data protection compliance, law firms can create a secure environment for their remote employees and uphold their obligation to protect sensitive client information.

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