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According to the recent 2018 Cost of a Data Breach Study: Global Overview – IBM Data Breach, reports that the average total cost of a data breach: $3.86 million per firm. That is roughly $148 on average per client file. Should your client have multiple files, the cost goes up.
Likelihood of another material breach, at the same law firm over the next two years: 27.9%. And the root-causes were quite surprising.
So, roughly 75% of your Salt Lake City law firm breaches are preventable, when you have the correct network security in place. But if your legal office doesn’t implement active and ongoing network security protocols, you don’t stand a chance against an attack.
Step 1: Identify Your IT Manager – Identifying and authorizing an IT manager is critical. The success of your cybersecurity policy depends on it. Your IT manager must be an expert, not one of your staff. Whether internal or a third-party contractor, this person must be an experienced and knowledgeable IT professional.
Step 2: Create a Data Classification Framework – Organize your database, and you will find how valuable it is. There are two parts to your classification setup: 1) General and 2) Confidential. Your cybersecurity policy depends highly on knowing what you must keep safe.
Step 3: Encrypt Your Data – Data encryption is a “must have” for all law firms. Data encryption might be confusing, and you don’t understand it, but not a reason not to encrypt your data. If you follow our steps, and won’t encrypt your data, all of your information will remain a risk and your cybersecurity policy null and void.
Step 4: Require Strong Passwords – The first part is visible: require passwords. Any computer, laptop, device, app, or software system that interfaces with your client data must be password protected. The second part: the passwords need to be strong.
Step 5: Implement a BYOD Policy – We live in the era of the mobile device. Your attorneys and staff likely use their mobile devices for work, bringing with them a host of benefits and potential risks. No cybersecurity policy is adequate without addressing, the mandatory “Bring Your Own Device” policy.
Step 6: Create and Regularly Update a Network Map – No data has full protection until you know who has access to it. An efficient way for your IT manager to track access is an up-to-date network map.
Step 7: Audit Your Third-Party Contracts – Your employees aren’t the only people with access to your network. Every third-party vendor who connects to your system is a potential vulnerability unless managed properly.
Step 8: Establish a Data Backup System – The law firm’s cybersecurity policy must provide for recovery from a cyber-attack as quickly as possible. Active recovery requires an efficient and complete backup system.
Step 9: Safeguard Physical Security of Systems and Facilities – Physical security is a significant, yet overlooked component of cybersecurity. Your network only stays as secure as your office complex. Any company or personal information, from you or your legal staff, must be put away and not prominently on display. That includes passwords, social engineering information, your staff’s personal information.
Step 10: Provide Ongoing Security Education & Training – Refusing to grasp cybersecurity policies and procedures leads to getting hacked. That is the consequences of poorly understanding the importance of security policies. With ongoing training, you and your staff, gain the security advantage.
Step 11: Schedule Cybersecurity Audits – Your IT manager’s primary responsibilities, regularly testing your cybersecurity. These cybersecurity test audits evaluate system compliance. It strengthens your cybersecurity policy. You should expect periodically scheduled and random inspections.
Step 12: Prepare a Response and Recovery Plan – It is a common phrase spoken when it comes to network security: “It’s not if, but when” the attack happens. The cybersecurity policy must include directions for preparing your response and recovery plan.
With the Nexus IT Consultant 12 Network Security Steps, in your possession, you can take the required steps for your files’ protection. Your client’s sensitive information remains secure. And your Salt Lake City law firm will aggressively go after those who threaten to steal, harm, or hurt other businesses.
Like this article? Check out; Nexus IT Consultants Celebrates 20 Years Serving Organizations In Salt Lake, Park City, and Provo Utah and 5 Reasons Why Salt Lake Law Firms Need Managed IT Services or Cyber Security Returns on Investment (Questions/Answers) and discover more.