Cybersecurity: it’s an issue that affects businesses across all industries – including the legal community. Keeping sensitive, private documents safe and secure is especially vital for law firms and legal teams. With more client data being stored online, the threat of documents being seen or stolen by third-party hackers is a major issue and one that can sometimes feel nerve-racking; however, there are some ways you can strengthen your online security so you don’t risk having a security breach.
Here are a few cybersecurity tips for those in the legal community to follow:
1. Change your passwords on a regular basis.
Whether it’s your email, Dropbox or some other frequently used account, it’s always a good idea to change your passwords on a consistent basis. Also, be sure to have different passwords for different accounts. Doing so will make it harder for hackers to gain access to all of your accounts.
2. Back up your files.
From hackers to unfortunate technological glitches, losing important client files is one of the worst things that can happen to a legal team. That’s why every firm should regularly back up their files and documents. Whether it’s uploaded to the Cloud or an external hard drive, it’s essential to have your files in a secondary location. If you do upload things to a cloud system like Dropbox or iCloud, make sure your settings are not set up to automatically replicate your computer. If they are and your computer has a virus and/or is hacked, those files might be ruined in the Cloud as well.
3. Use a two-factor authentication process.
Have you ever signed in to a platform and then get a screen that says they’re going to text you a verification code to type in? That’s what a two-factor authentication process looks like. While it varies depending on what platform you’re using, some online systems allow you to opt-in to this or automatically do it for you. If you have the option to use this process, be sure to use it. This is just another security check that ensures you and your clients’ data is protected.
4. Look into buying a verified password management system.
Downloading a verified password management system can be a great tool to help you manage your passwords and keep them all in a safe space. These systems store the passwords in an encrypted format to make sure they stay secure. Of course, it is very important to make sure that the management system you choose is verified as a quality resource, like LastPass or Dashlane.
These are just a few tips to make sure you and your law firm stay cybersecure. Another way to make sure your important documents stay safe is to work with certified, quality resources that provide transparency about their document security practices. This includes using trusted court reporting services who maintain critical records of court proceedings, transcripts and exhibits. You want to make sure you can rely on your court reporting firm to keep vital information safe and securely stored. At Elite Court Reporting, confidentiality and security are our top priority. Our court reporters are vetted and have years of experience in keeping information secure. To learn more about our secure services, contact us today.