The Cost of Complacency: Why Law Firms Can’t Ignore Cybersecurity

When it comes to cybersecurity, a passive approach is a risky one. Failing to actively manage and update your IT systems can leave your law firm vulnerable to data breaches, compliance violations, and costly downtime. Proactive IT security isn’t optional—it’s essential for protecting client data, maintaining trust, and staying compliant with legal industry standards.

Why Legal Tech in the Cloud Is Safer Than Ever

Cloud security myths die hard—but the idea that it’s merely “someone else’s computer” is outdated. Today’s leading cloud platforms are engineered with robust cybersecurity at their foundation—designed not just to attract users, but to thrive in a highly regulated, high-risk digital environment.

Industry giants like Amazon AWS, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365 follow strict international data privacy laws and offer enterprise-grade protection across sectors—including legal. Legal-focused platforms such as Clio and Salesforce have proven their reliability by offering strong security measures and consistently meeting the strict compliance requirements expected by law firms and government agencies alike.

Securing the cloud remains a shared responsibility. While cloud providers supply powerful tools and infrastructure, it’s up to law firms and solo attorneys to configure systems correctly, maintain data privacy, and train their teams on cloud security best practices. When managed properly, cloud-based legal tech delivers both enhanced security and greater efficiency.

Teamwork Makes the Cloud Work with the Shared Responsibility Model

Cloud platforms love to flaunt their compliance credentials—GDPR icons, SOC 2 audit seals, ISO 27001 certifications, and more. And while those badges are impressive, they don’t mean you’re off the hook. Most cloud providers follow a shared responsibility model, meaning security is a team effort between the platform and the law firm.

Think of it like this: your cloud provider built the house—they’ve locked down the walls, doors, and perimeter. But you’re in charge of what happens inside the house. That means managing your keys (aka passwords), locking the windows (access controls), and double-checking who you let in (multifactor authentication). If you leave the front door open, even the best cloud fortress won’t save you.

Cloud security isn’t a “set it and forget it” situation—it’s an ongoing process. For legal professionals, staying secure means routinely updating settings, managing credentials, and building strong cyber habits. In legal tech, security and compliance go hand in hand.

Risks and requirements 

Neglecting IT maintenance is like leaving your front door wide open with a flashing invitation to hackers. While phishing scams get most of the attention, it’s often the quieter issues—misconfigured systems, excessive access, and weak passwords—that cause the most damage.

For legal professionals, cybersecurity isn’t just about threat prevention—it’s about meeting ethical and regulatory obligations. U.S. attorneys must adhere to ABA guidelines requiring “reasonable efforts” to protect client data, while Canadian law societies expect lawyers to be both tech-literate and security-conscious.

Think of cybersecurity as the foundation, not a feature. Keep your tech tight, your data safe, and your law firm in the clear.

How to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Today

You don’t need advanced IT skills to safeguard your law firm. Still, consistent system maintenance and visibility into your tech infrastructure are essential. Start by locking down the basics with these key cybersecurity controls:

• Access Control – Only give file access to those who truly need it. Less is more.
• Password Management – Use strong, unique passwords and store them in a secure password manager (no more sticky notes!).
• Multifactor Authentication (MFA) – Turn on MFA or 2-step verification wherever you can. It’s a simple upgrade with huge benefits.
• Response Tools & Device Management – Be ready to remotely wipe lost devices and detect advanced threats beyond just your typical virus scan.

Implementing a few smart cybersecurity practices today can save you from major headaches later—and help keep your client data protected and your practice running smoothly.

The Bottom Line on Law Firm Cybersecurity

Skipping cybersecurity is like missing a court filing—one slip can lead to serious consequences. Even solo practitioners need a clear IT strategy and regular checkups on their cybersecurity posture. Staying on top of your systems makes it easier to manage issues before they escalate—and avoids the kind of missteps that come back to haunt you.

Author

Born in South Africa and now based in Canada, Ross Saunders began his career on the IT help desk, helping people troubleshoot computer problems before moving into networking support — working remotely long before it became common practice.

After studying programming, he transitioned into software development. While he loved it in college, the reality of the job was less appealing, leading him to blend his skills into what’s now known as DevOps — collaborating with software teams on deployments. This role evolved into managing and mentoring entire technical divisions for software companies, overseeing product management, software engineering, and technical support.

Privacy and security became a core focus along the way. After experiencing identity theft himself (a story he often shares in his keynotes), Ross immersed himself in the world of privacy and security. For over a decade, he has worked with technical teams and lawyers to translate complex legal and framework requirements into practical, actionable solutions.

Produced by the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) in partnership with Legal Talk Network, the conversation in the second episode explores how California’s voluntary bar emerged from a regulatory split, and what that transformation reveals about the future of bar leadership.

From navigating organizational change to building a solo practice rooted in personal values, Evans offers a blueprint for leading with purpose, flexibility, and impact. Whether you’re a bar executive, board member, or attorney seeking to drive change, this episode delivers practical insights on bold, intentional leadership.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

Voluntary bars can lead with more freedom.

Evans explains how separating from a regulatory bar enabled the California Lawyers Association to focus on education, advocacy, and community support in ways that mandatory bars often cannot.

“You can’t advocate effectively if you’re tied to regulation.”

Organizational structure shapes mission.

“The structure of a bar association determines not just how it operates—but what it’s capable of achieving. Evans discusses how leadership intentionally reimagined CLA’s framework to better reflect member needs.”

“Structure can be restructured. You’re not stuck.”

Leadership starts before you’re chosen.

For Evans, leadership isn’t about waiting for titles—it’s about showing up and stepping into the role before anyone hands it to you. His story reminds listeners that transformation begins with initiative.

“You don’t need permission to lead.”

These insights—and more—reinforce the core message of the episode: visionary leadership requires adaptability, clarity of mission, and the courage to rebuild from the ground up.

Catch the conversation from the beginning in Episode One:

In Episode 1, Dana and Keith Cutler laid the foundation for what it means to lead with intention, compassion, and resilience. Episode 2 builds on that foundation as Jeremy Evans brings a systems-level perspective to what meaningful change looks like in practice.

Link to EP.1 | Ep. 1 on Apple | Ep. 1 on Spotify

Leading the Bar

Say “Yes” to Leadership: A Conversation with Dana and Keith Cutler

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Leading the Bar is hosted by Amanda Arriaga and Lynette Paczkowski and features monthly conversations with dynamic leaders across the legal profession. Episodes highlight real-world strategies for managing change, building community, and navigating today’s evolving legal landscape.

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To learn more about National Conference of Bar Presidents, visit ncbp.org.