The New Law Journal reports that pre-pandemic, just 58% of law firms were using the cloud. However, more traditional firms are now rapidly migrating server-based solutions and on-premises data to the cloud for more secure remote working, with limitless scalability and improved access to the files and applications that legal professionals need.
But even with the majority of firms now benefitting from cost-effective cloud adoption post-COVID, security concerns still remain. Cyberattacks are up by 600% and in the rush to adapt to working remotely, many cloud-based services are lacking robust security. This makes hacking and ransomware a serious concern for businesses.
So, what more can cloud-based law firms do to ensure safe hybrid working and protection of sensitive client data? Here are our experts’ recommendations:
Adopt intelligent hybrid cloud security
Microsoft’s extensive security toolset has everything you need to keep the data stored within your organisation secure. Microsoft Defender for Cloud allows you to stay in control of your cloud security, improve security posture and protect against cyberthreats. With its integrated Microsoft Defender plans, this protection can be applied to solutions hosted in Azure, hybrid and other cloud platforms.
We would also recommend law firms implement Microsoft Sentinel as a cloud-native Security Information and Event Management Solution (SIEM) that monitors and collates data on your services in the cloud and on-premises, and provides intelligent security analytics at scale. The tool collects security data from devices, apps and any cloud enabling you (or your IT security partner) to act immediately to respond to any potential security threat. As more firms embrace hybrid working and users access company files from their personal and business devices, it’s more important than ever to monitor and respond to security threats.
Manage users and devices in the cloud
The team at commercial law firm Temple Bright wanted to modernise their approach to remote collaboration and device management. We helped them migrate to Microsoft 365 to support remote working, collaboration and scalable device management securely in the cloud at enterprise level, while keeping users and data safe.
We kept sensitive files and remote user access secure by implementing Microsoft’s Identity Management Solution which analyses user logons relative to their device, location and network which grants users the appropriate level of access (or denies it should the technology identify that the user connection is suspicious in nature, for example if they have logged on from an unusual location or device).
On-premises data was migrated to SharePoint Online as part of a Teams implementation, providing improved storage, accessibility and remote collaboration for authorised users. With this, Temple Bright’s team could collaborate on files remotely and communicate instantly. We moved their Exchange Server mailboxes and services to Exchange Online, giving them secure remote access to their emails, calendars, contacts and tasks.
Also providing training for the Temple Bright team, our complete hybrid workplace solution ensured that the law firm has reliable and effective communication, file sharing and collaboration, with enhanced cloud security across all devices. By modernising and futureproofing their IT systems, the firm has greater control over authorised data access, without impacting staff productivity.
Register for Microsoft funded workshops
We offer six Microsoft funded security workshops providing in-depth guidance from our security experts. Explore Microsoft’s extensive security toolset, analyse current threats and create a strategic security plan to protect and govern your corporate data. Get actionable next steps to improve your security posture and put your questions to our experts so you walk away with the insights you need.
Our security workshops are:
- Securing Identities
- Microsoft Threat Protection
- Hybrid Cloud Security
- Manage & Investigate Risk
- Discover Sensitive Data
- Microsoft Sentinel
We’re a Microsoft Gold Partner and hold multiple Advanced Specialisations, including:
- Threat Protection Advanced Specialisation
- Identity and Access Management Advanced Specialisation
- Information Protection and Governance Advanced Specialisation
- Cloud Security Advanced Specialisation
To learn more about how Microsoft solutions can improve cloud security in your organisation, register for a 3-day workshop with our expert consultants.
