Cybersecurity is an incredibly important topic today for all companies, including law firms. However, attorneys face unique challenges in their quest to protect their data and the information of their clients.
Finding the right cybersecurity solutions can be incredibly challenging. Thankfully, understanding a few key aspects can make the process easier to handle.
The Cost of a Solution is More than Just its Price
What would you say is the single largest challenge when it comes to finding the right cybersecurity solution for your law firm? If you’re like most law firms in the US, it comes down to cost. Thankfully, you don’t have to break the bank to find outstanding data protection, but you do need to avoid the temptation to go the bottom-dollar route. Cybersecurity is a great deal like anything else. You get what you pay for, so if you’re paying as little as possible, you’ll have little protection.
Start from the Right Point
It’s important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all cybersecurity solution for law firms. Each firm’s needs will vary, which means that you need to know your requirements. The way to do that is to conduct an in-depth needs analysis. This will give you a starting point, as well as a 10,000-foot view of your firm’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Based on this assessment, you can work with a reputable firm to address the most pressing issues first, but also ensure that less important items don’t get left on the back burner.
Due Diligence
As a law firm, you’re privy to very sensitive information. It’s essential that you do everything possible to protect that data, even from some of the companies you work with on a regular basis. It is worth considering hiring a security company to investigate any third-party vendors, as well as to monitor you network on a constant basis to protect against threats.
Too Good to Be True
You’ll find a very wide range of cybersecurity options on the market today, ranging from offerings from IBM and Cisco to budget solutions from companies you’ve never heard of. The rule of thumb here is to remember that if a company’s offerings sound too good to be true, they probably are. View over the top promises with a skeptical eye.
What’s Right for Others Isn’t Right for You
Chances are good that you’re in communication with other law firms, and it can be tempting to follow their lead when it comes to choosing a cybersecurity solution. Avoid that temptation. What’s right for one firm may be very wrong for yours. Again, there is no one-size-fits-all approach that works here. You need a solution that is customized to your firm, your clients, and your risk areas.
In the end, finding the right cybersecurity solution requires that you know your needs, avoid companies that over promise and under deliver, and ensure that the solution you ultimately choose is customized to your specific requirements.