A Foolproof Guide to Security in Legal Software

Absolute security is a myth. The modern internet dependent world has complicated, rather than resolve, the problems of secure data storage. The evolution of technologies and social media has made access to information and data easy to compromise. The attacks are swift and invisible. The only way to combat security ‘risks’ against an invisible and anonymous enemy is through awareness and by gaining a clear understanding of what needs to be shared and what not.As more and more law firms turn to digital solutions to manage their office, the responsibility to keep the data entrusted by the clients secure and avoiding data breach is a challenge in a constantly evolving digital world. The nature of sensitive data entrusted by lawyers and the high stakes of the cases involved make law firms a prime target for cyber crime. 

So what is security in legal software and why is it important?

Software security is the chain of protection implemented to protect the data entrusted by the clients against attacks and theft. Security is necessary to provide integrity, authentication and proper access to the stored data. Any compromise to the integrity of the software makes the software insecure and the stored data vulnerable to theft and/or misuse. 

The problems faced when security is compromised in legal software are – 

• Loss of data (case data, case notes, client information, etc.)
• Compromised communications
• Inability to access information
• Risk of public leak of data
• Loss of reputation and credibility
• Compromised case outcomes

How to keep the Security intact?

The first step towards safety and security is to understand that there is no 100% safe solution. What you or the software service provider can do to ensure security is follow risk mitigation protocols and processes. While security is a top priority – not just for the client, but also for the software service provider, it is important to understand that security is a result of policies, processes and technology. Most security breaches can be avoided if reasonable safe practices are employed. As more and more legal work is happening remotely on diverse devices, it is necessary to secure the devices and the usage. Building a security culture is the key to reducing vulnerability. 

Here are a few tips to ensure security –

• Building awareness of best practices – adopt safe practices to protect identity and data.
• Securing data – restrict access on need to know basis, data encryption etc
• Create easy-to-follow security protocols. Educate and create awareness on mitigating data risk.
• Set a strong Password. Change it periodically.
• Enable 2 Factor Authentication
• Restrict your IP Address
• Always have HTTPS
• Do not access data on unknown networks
• Take regular backups of data

Conclusion

It is high time to start evaluating security in legal software. While prioritising client data has always been the top most responsibility, it is essential to understand that 100% security is a myth. A foolproof guide to security in legal software is one where a client is not fooled to believe that there is a 100% foolproof solution – instead the client must be aware of the security risks and educated on how to mitigate them. Responsible data sharing is the best way to mitigate security risk. The responsibility of security of a legal software is a joint responsibility of both the client and the legal software service provider. 

As a client, before contacting a legal software provider, you can research the various security features available in softwares – it is always better to be aware of what you need and what is offered. Before choosing a software, make a clear list of what your data will be and how safe you want it to be. Decide upon the level of security you require to manage your digital law firm; have a clear understanding about the various requirements such as 2FA, data encryption etc., and then look for these things from the software. Over paying for features you do not require and will never use or underpaying and then regretting about the lack of utility are both unsatisfactory ends of the same spectrum. An optimum balance between what is needed and what is offered can be found by talking to experts, existing software users, researching on the internet, and by talking to different software providers. This will help you gain better insights about your needs and requirements and gain an understanding of the software that best serves your needs.   

We at Manage My Lawsuits are always at your service – ready and willing to answer your queries and advise you better. We understand the tremendous cost and consequences of security lapse and work our best to ensure that your data and reputation are kept as safe as possible. You can talk to us about your needs and requirements and get our opinion about how safe your data will be and find the best software that suits your requirements.