Brisbane law firms, are you confident you’ve got the right cybersecurity defences in place? You’re entrusted with vast amounts of sensitive client information, and as a result are prime targets for cybercriminals targeting your sector at a rapidly increasing pace as. You need to ask yourself – are you doing enough to protect your sensitive company and client data?
According to a recent survey, the answer is a resounding no for most legal firms. The stark reality is that the majority are severely underprepared for the spiralling cyber threat landscape. Today we’re going to take a close look at the ‘State of Cyber Security in Law Report’ and some of the relevant statistics for Brisbane law firms. We’ll analyse why law firms are such an appealing target for cybercriminals, and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
‘The State of Cyber Security in Law’
The survey was conducted by AUCyber in collaboration with LexVeritas and the Australasian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA) towards the end of last year.
It portrays a sector struggling to cope with an increase in cybercrime, with 56% of legal firms across Australian and New Zealand saying that cyber security is their main operational concern. 21% say they have been a target of cybercrime, which is 7% more than in 2023. 26% of firms were unsure what their defence capabilities were, and 18% felt that the protections they had in place were inadequate.
There was also a significant year-on-year uptick in specific attack vectors outlined in the report:
- Phishing Attacks: 81% of firms experienced phishing attempts, a 14% rise year-on-year.
- Spoofing Incidents: Increased from 23% to 35%.
- Malware Infiltrations: Rose from 17% to 27%.
- Identity-Based Attacks: Surged from 25% to 35%.
Why Law Firms Are Prime Targets for Cyber Attacks
Sensitive information is the burning flame that draws hackers in like moths. Think of the nature of the information your legal enterprise handles, it could include:
- Client Financial Data
- Confidential Legal Documents
- Intellectual Property
- Personal Information
It’s not just client information, it’s your own legal strategies and records that attract hackers. They’re also fully aware that many law firms aren’t as cyber resilient as they should be. Common vulnerabilities in law firms include:
Outdated IT Infrastructure – Many firms still rely on legacy systems not equipped to handle modern cyber threats.
Lack of Cyber Security Awareness – Employees may unknowingly fall for phishing scams or fail to follow best practices in data protection.
Insufficient Investment in Security Measures – Smaller firms often struggle with limited budgets and resources.
These are all chinks in the armour hackers can expose, particularly since there is a heavy reliance in the industry on electronic communication and data storage. They’ll exploit those channels to try and gain access to your system.
Once they’ve breached your defences, that’s when the complications truly begin.
Financial Impacts of a Cyber Attack on a Law Firm
If they can get in your system, cyber criminals will leverage anything they can get their hands on for their own gain. The average cost of cybercrime for a small business is now up to $49,600 per report according to the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). It has the potential to skyrocket way north of that if you’re unlucky.
The financial loss can stem from ransomware demands, recovery costs, operational downtime and data loss. There’s more to it though – reputational damage can seriously harm your brand, scaring off existing and new clientele. You could also come under the scrutiny of regulatory bodies and be on the receiving end of a fine for privacy breaches.
How Law Firms can Become Cyber Resilient
How can a law firm up their cyber game and bolster their defences to keep the hackers out? It can be an overwhelming process, especially as you want to focus on looking after your clients and not have to stress about cyber security.
The most proactive and easily achieved step would be to take on the services of a managed IT services provider. If you choose an MSP with experience in the legal space, they’ll implement the right cyber security solutions for your business. Solutions that adhere to comprehensive frameworks such as the Essential Eight Mitigation Strategies, advocated for by the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
Here are other services your managed IT services provider will implement to keep your law firm safe:
- 24/7 Monitoring and Threat Detection to ensure threats are identified and mitigated before they cause damage.
- Regular Security and Compliance Checks to keep your company compliant with industry regulations.
- Recovery and Backup Solutions to get your business operational as soon as possible after a cyber breach.
- Employee Cyber Security Training to educate staff on recognizing threats and maintaining best security practices.
With an established MSP on your side, you get access to the latest security technologies. You have a team on your side undertaking continuous monitoring of your systems, identifying cyber threats before they take hold. It’s a crucial role in keeping your law firm safe from emerging threats.
Smile IT – The Law Firm MSP
Smile IT is a leading law firm managed IT service provider for Brisbane and South East Queensland. We’ve got a talented team with extensive experience in this sector, who can put together comprehensive cyber security solutions tailored specifically for legal professionals. Solutions that include advanced endpoint protection and network security, regular vulnerability assessments, 24/7 monitoring and AI-driven threat protection.
We’re here to help you reduce the risk of cyber-attacks, while maintaining compliance with security regulations. You can focus on keeping your clients happy and growing your business, while we keep you safe and smiling.
Get in touch today with any questions!
When he’s not writing tech articles or turning IT startups into established and consistent managed service providers, Peter Drummond can be found kitesurfing on the Gold Coast or hanging out with his family!