Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Why it Matters for Trial Lawyers

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month which serves as a valuable reminder for individuals and organizations to take a closer look at how they protect sensitive information.

For trial lawyers, cybersecurity is an important part of client trust. Plaintiff law firms handle sensitive information like medical records, financial documents, personal identifying information, confidential communications, case strategies and settlement details. That makes law firms an attractive target for cybercriminals.

Trial lawyers also may regularly handle large settlement amounts, trust accounts and other financial transactions. A compromised email account could potentially give cybercriminals enough information to impersonate an attorney and attempt to redirect funds.

Cybersecurity should be part of every firm’s risk management strategy. Protecting your firm doesn’t always require a complete technology overhaul. Start by confirming that your firm has the basic, essential protections in place.

•  Use strong, unique passwords.

  Make sure employees are using complex, unique passwords for each of their accounts. A password manager can make it easier to create and keep track of strong passwords.

• Turn on multi-factor authentication.

  A password alone may not be enough to protect important accounts. Multi-factor authentication adds another layer of protection, making it much harder for someone to access an account even if they obtain the password.

• Be cautious with emails.

  Phishing scams continue to be one of the easiest ways for criminals to gain access to a firm's systems. Encourage employees to slow down when an email seems unusual, especially when it involves a request for money, passwords, sensitive information or a change to payment instructions.

• Train your team.

  Everyone who uses a firm email account, computer or case management system has a responsibility to help protect the firm against cybersecurity threats. Regular training can help employees recognize suspicious activity before it becomes a bigger problem.

• Protect client information.

  Take a close look at where sensitive client information is stored and who has access to it. Employees should only have access to the information they need to perform their jobs.

• Have a plan for what happens if something goes wrong.

  Even with strong safeguards in place, no system is completely immune to an attack. Your firm should know who to contact and what steps to take if an account is compromised, information is stolen or a suspicious transaction occurs.

For trial lawyers, cybersecurity is about protecting the trust clients place in your firm. Clients expect their attorneys to protect their personal information and keep their communication confidential.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great opportunity to review your firm's current practices, identify potential weak spots and make a plan to strengthen them.

Photo Credit: 123RF.com - videoflow

About Donna A. Jones

Donna Jones is the President at Advocate Capital, which became a part of Pinnacle in 2019. Ms. Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of Advocate Capital and serves as a member of the Credit Committee. Her responsibilities include education and training of Advocate Capital staff regarding civil litigation, coaching new clients on the fundamentals of Advocate’s online services, as well as its proprietary software application, AdvoTrac®, and all activities related to existing and prospective clients.