Cyber Security for Law Firms

From confidential documents to personal financial information, this data is a principal target for cybercriminals. The consequences of a successful cyberattack can be catastrophic, including data breaches, financial losses and reputational damage.

Below we discuss why robust cyber security for law firms is important and the key threats facing the sector.

What is cyber?

Simply put, cyber refers to anything involving computers, computer networks, and the data which they process. In a contemporary workspace, we collectively rely on technology more than ever to communicate, complete our work, and so much more.

However, this reliance also brings with it the risk of exploitation by outside entities that seek to steal data and cripple organisations’ digital infrastructure to their own benefit. These cybercriminals employ a vast range of techniques, such as social engineering, to exploit system flaws and carry out potentially devastating cyber attacks.

This is why organisations must ensure they have a strong cyber security posture, able to detect potential threats and react accordingly to keep information secure.

Types of cyber attack

Cyber attacks can take many forms depending on the type of organisation being targeted. In the case of law firms, cybercriminals seek to gain access to high volumes of sensitive client data.

Here, we will explore four common types of cyber attack which are used against law firms and explain how they work:

• Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks use social engineering to exploit human error and gain access to sensitive information via fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls, and even entire websites.

Typically, a phishing attack will begin with an employee receiving a communication from a supposedly trusted source such as a colleague or manager containing an attachment which they are encouraged to open. This link can lead to a website that steals sensitive information or a direct installation of malware on the victim’s device.

This targeted form of phishing is referred to as spear phishing and often involves the cyber criminal conducting research into an individual on social media and learning information that can then be used to make their communications appear more legitimate. With larger targets, such as CEOs, it is referred to as whale phishing.

• Malware

Often utilised in conjunction with phishing attacks, malware refers to a piece of software designed to infiltrate or corrupt a computer network, thus causing either financial or data loss for the organisation being targeted.

Malware serves as an umbrella term covering several types of ‘malicious software’, including spyware, which runs secretly and reports back to the cybercriminal, granting them access to the user’s files.

• Ransomware

As the name may suggest, ransomware is a type of malware that, once installed on a device, restricts access to documents by the user or organisation until a ransom is paid.

This is very commonly used against law firms, as cybercriminals can gain access to files containing sensitive client data and demand payment, lest the contents of the file be sold on to a third party or leaked online, compromising client confidentiality.

This poses major ramifications for law firms, as this kind of breach can deter prospective clients and cause irreparable damage to the firm’s reputation.

• Password attacks

While perhaps less sophisticated than previous forms of cyber attack, password attacks pose consequences that are just as significant. These attacks can be carried out using multiple different methods, one of which is phishing.

Besides this, malware can also be used by cybercriminals to install a keylogging tool (a type of spyware) that can track the information typed in by the user which then, in turn, reveals their passwords.

Why might a law firm be a target?

According to research carried out on behalf of The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in 2024, a staggering 65% of UK law firms have been victim to cyber attacks.

The sector has long been an attractive target for cybercriminals and thus cyber security for law firms an absolute necessity. But why are law firms so often targeted by these malicious practitioners?

The reason for this is the sheer volume of sensitive client data held and processed by law firms. If cybercriminals can get their hands on this data, they can use it to commit identity theft or even publish information online unless the law firm being targeted agrees to their demands.

This form of blackmail has become an increasingly prevalent threat to law firms in recent years, as The Law Society Gazette reported a 77% increase in successful cyber attacks against law firms between 2023 and 2024.

How to avoid becoming a statistic

There is a myriad of ways to enhance cyber security for law firms looking to build business resilience. Here are four ways to avoid becoming another statistic:

• Back up your data

From cyber attacks to flood damage, there are many ways in which your law firm’s digital infrastructure can become compromised. Therefore, a reliable backup system is paramount to keeping sensitive client information intact.

Utilising cloud storage is an effective means of keeping this data separate from your existing IT systems and ensures business continuity in the event of a disaster.

• Updates & antivirus software

A law firm’s IT infrastructure is only as strong as its weakest component; ensure your systems are running with the latest firmware updates and antivirus software installed.

This may seem like an obvious method, but employees’ devices are the first point of contact from which a cyber attack can be carried out. Therefore, antivirus software can act as a first line of defence and can be further strengthened with consistent updates.

• Use strong passwords

We may begrudge the hassle passwords can cause in our daily lives, but if used effectively, they provide an essential line of defence for your devices.

The perfect balance one can strike with a password is between memorability and unpredictability. They should be easy for the user to remember but should not contain obvious information like names and birthdays. They should also be at least 12 characters long and use a mixture of upper case, lower case, and special characters.

• Avoid phishing attacks

As phishing attacks are commonplace for law firms, making sure that your legal professionals are aware of what a phishing email may look like goes a long way to mitigating their potentially devastating effects.

Look for spelling and grammar errors in both the text of the email and the address it has been sent from, as these are strong initial indicators. Also be cautious if the email contains urgent language that applies pressure to users, such as claims of a locked account or service.

Contact Net-Defence today

With years of experience working with the legal sector, our comprehensive suite of services can be tailored to provide cutting-edge cyber security for law firms.

From our Cyber Essentials accreditation to our realistic phishing simulations, we specialise in helping law firms build a healthy cyber security culture and protect themselves against the evolving threats that target the sector.