Law Departments and Cyber Breaches: Overcoming Challenges

Posted on: April 6, 2017 by Huntersure

The nature of law departments makes them more susceptible to cyber breaches. As they handle sensitive information and company trade secrets, they have become increasingly targeted over the last few years. In fact, in a recent study conducted by Business Performance Innovation Network, over half of the respondents indicated that they were concerned about the theft of legal documents. As we explore the challenges that law departments face while implementing the necessary security measures, ensure your clients are protected with a Lawyer Liability Insurance program.

Legal departments play a critical role in protecting company trade secrets and confidential data. Corporate legal departments should deploy certain security technologies, such as a document management system that “locks down” and tracks all sensitive documents in a centralized digital repository, explains Inside Counsel.

However, doing so poses some challenges. First, legal departments are wary of incorporating a document management system as it could inhibit their ability to easily access files. However, document management systems may prove ineffective if they don’t adapt easily to an existing workflow, with employees often turning to shadow IT—platforms that are not approved or secure by a company’s IT department—to complete tasks. The use of shadow IT has been directly linked to enterprise breaches.

Despite the necessity to quickly protect and secure confidential information and documents, there is no simple fix. Evaluating the risk from people, devices and outside vendors is time consuming. Next, the challenge of drafting and implementing policies is another hurdle that law departments must overcome. Encryption is key, but implementing these solutions is anything but immediate.

The last factor to consider is training employees and ongoing enforcement of these encryption policies. Rather than just giving specific rules, it’s important for law departments to explain to their employees why they are doing the processes. Protecting legal documents and confidential information is a team effort, and everyone is required to be on board for it to be successful.

About Huntersure

Huntersure LLC is a full-service Managing General Agency that has provided insurance program administration for professional liability products to our partners across the United States since 2007. We aim to provide exceptional, creative, and personalized insurance solutions to all members of the business world. Whether you need Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance or any other professional coverage, give us a call at (646) 751-3030 to learn more about the professional liability products and protection we offer.

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