How To Secure Confidentiality And Protect A Law Firm's Sensitive Data

Law firms are in a unique position regarding data security. A typical law firm processes and stores multiple types of sensitive data. Data assets may include confidential client communication, financial records, and pending legal strategies. The nature of these data resources makes it imperative that they are securely protected.

A data breach involving the loss or disclosure of this sensitive information can be devastating to the firm and any affected clients. The effects of a data breach include legal ramifications, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties or fines. Cases can be lost and an individual’s life irreparably altered due to a data breach.

This post will discuss the key strategies and best practices that should be implemented to protect a law firm’s sensitive and high-value data.

Understanding Legal Data Sensitivity

Law firms typically have access to multiple types of sensitive data information. A mandatory preliminary step in protecting this sensitive data is understanding the kind of information that may offer attractive targets to threat actors. The following valuable and sensitive types of data need to be secured to protect the firm and its clients.

• Client information - Law firms keep personal information about clients including names, contact data, and items such as Social Security numbers. Client information can also encompass confidential details shared during discussions between a client and their attorneys.
• Financial data - Many types of financial data are processed by law firms. Types of financial data include client retainers, case settlements, and legal fees. Payment details associated with these data elements can be compromised by hackers to perpetrate fraud or identity theft.
• Case details - Records of current and past cases can be very sensitive and contain strategies and evidence that directly affects the outcome of legal proceedings. This information can be extremely damaging if it is compromised and results in the loss of a case with repercussions to the firm and its clients.

A law firm’s reputation is one of the deciding factors clients consider when selecting a company to represent them in legal proceedings. Potential clients need to trust the firm’s ability to protect their sensitive information and maintain the privacy inherent in attorney-client privileged communications.

Data Security Risks for Law Firms

Law firms need to be aware of the main types of cyberthreats directed at their profession. Falling victim to threat actors can uncover expensive regulatory violations and result in diminished trust and client loss. The following types of threats frequently affect law firms.

• Ransomware - This particularly virulent form of malware encrypts data resources and holds them hostage for financial ransom. Recent ransomware attacks also threaten to disclose sensitive data and may do so even if ransom demands are met.
• Phishing and social media attacks - Threat actors use deceptive emails and social media communication in attempts to trick recipients into disclosing credentials or inadvertently downloading malware.
• Insider threats - Unauthorized access by malicious insiders can put sensitive data assets at risk. Employees or contractors may steal data for financial gain or to help a rival law firm.

Best Practices for Protecting Sensitive Legal Data

Addressing the threats to their legal data assets should be a priority for all law firms. The following best practices are recommended to protect the firm and its clients from the effects of a data breach.

Data Classification

It is imperative that data is classified according to a company’s data handling policy so it can be used and protected effectively. Businesses should conduct a comprehensive inventory that encompasses its entire IT environment. This includes all information stored in cloud-based and on-premises infrastructure. Once data is classified, it can be protected according to its business value.

Data Loss Prevention

A data loss prevention (DLP) platform automatically enforces a company’s data handling policy to protect its valuable information from deliberate or unintentional misuse. DLP software prevents unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data to minimize the possibility of damaging data leaks or breaches. The tool protects data from unapproved actions initiated by external threat actors or company insiders.

Data encryption

Encrypting sensitive data at rest and in transit protects it from unauthorized use while stored or transmitted. Encryption renders data useless to anyone who does not possess the decryption keys to transform the information back into human-readable form. Data privacy regulations such as PCI-DSS and HIPAA require the encryption of sensitive information.

Multiple encryption techniques can be implemented to protect data assets. Firms should look into file-level and disk encryption to safeguard data at rest. Transport layer security (TLS) should be in place to secure data during transmission. Effective encryption key management is essential to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of legal data.

Strict access controls

Strict access controls need to be enforced throughout the IT environment to protect sensitive data. Unauthorized access by malicious insiders poses a serious and legitimate threat to a law firm’s data resources. Restricting access to authorized personnel is an essential component of data security.

The best method of restricting unauthorized access is through a role-based access control (RBAC) approach. This technique provides access to specific data elements based on an individual’s role in the firm. Individuals can only access the data they need to perform their jobs.

It is important to regularly review and audit access controls to make necessary modifications and maintain compliance with regulatory standards and security policies. Credentials should be removed immediately when employees leave the company.

Secure endpoints and devices

Laptops, mobile devices, and USB drives containing sensitive data present attractive targets for threat actors. The loss or theft of one of these devices can expose large volumes of sensitive data to unauthorized personnel. These threats can be addressed by adopting the following measures.

• Implement endpoint security measures such as device encryption and endpoint detection and response (EDR) software.
• Enforce strong authentication through the use of multi-factor authentication to protect against compromised login credentials.
• Institute remote wipe capabilities so data can be removed from lost or stolen devices.
• Provide risk awareness training to minimize the risk of insecure device usage and reduce the occurrence of accidental insider threats.

Implement secure communication

Secure communication is essential when transmitting sensitive legal data to clients and colleagues. Recommendations for implementing secure communication include:

• Using encrypted email solutions and secure file-sharing platforms;
• Leveraging virtual private networks (VPNs) to encrypt and secure data transmission;
• Storing electronic communications securely to comply with privacy regulations and maintain confidentiality and client trust.

The Benefits of Adding XDR to Your Security Stack

The addition of an extended detection and response (XDR) solution to your existing security stack offers multiple benefits that enhance the protection of a law firm’s sensitive data. Let’s look at how implementing Samurai XDR helps keep your valuable data secure.

• Samurai XDR leverages threat intelligence from NTT’s Tier 1 internet backbone to provide a superior perspective on new and emerging threats.
• The platform is powered by machine learning and advanced analytics to identify suspicious activity in the environment.
• Samurai XDR identifies subtle lateral movements throughout the environment that can be a sign of malicious intruders or advanced persistent threats.
• The platform consolidates and prioritizes threat information to reduce the strain on small IT teams.

Law firms can take advantage of Samurai’s Starter Plan to get a taste of the benefits and functionality of this advanced cybersecurity solution. It offers companies an effective method of enhancing security and protecting their valuable data assets.

Conclusion

Law firms need to take data security seriously to maintain client trust and meet regulatory requirements. We have discussed some key strategies and best practices law firms can implement to protect sensitive legal data. It is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach that employs encryption, access controls, endpoint security, and secure communication channels. The addition of an XDR solution provides enhanced protection from existing and emerging risks that threaten your data security and confidentiality.