According to the ICO, 75% of data breaches in the UK legal sector were the result of non-cyber related incidents. Human error — including failure to redact or use BCC, alteration of data, documents emailed or posted to the wrong recipients — accounted for 65% of these incidents.
People working in the legal field are always pressed for time. They have the added responsibility of keeping sensitive information safe and ensuring confidentiality is maintained. Fortunately, the right security tool can help secure information quickly and conveniently, making it easier to balance speed with security. Here are five ways employees can do just that:
1. Unified email communication: Legal workers rely on multiple forms of communication ranging from old-school phone calls to newer instant messaging platforms, like Slack. However, not all communication tools offer the same levels of protection. Workers can improve their security by restricting important communication to email — and by using an integrated email solution to enhance security.
Email security solutions add layers of protection, including encryption, which safeguards sensitive information. Centralizing communications within email can also help you keep track of conversations and streamline communication workflows, making it easier for legal professionals to manage correspondence efficiently.
2. Secure e-signatures: Incorporating e-signature capabilities directly within email clients simplifies the task of obtaining legally binding signatures. The right e-signature tool will provide proof of delivery and ensure signatures are legally valid.
3. Efficient file transfer: Large file transfers are a common necessity in legal practice, whether sharing documents with clients or collaborating with colleagues. But it can be dangerous to use third-party platforms to transfer sensitive data. These platforms often lack the rigorous security measures required to protect legal documents from unauthorized access. Using a secure file transfer service, which is embedded into your email client, can avoid these dangers altogether. Such tools enable you to transfer large files without impacting your storage space. As files can be accessed through email, it is also easier to locate and access documents.
4. Integration with case management systems: Seamless integration between email clients and case management systems, such as iManage and NetDocuments, empowers simple collaboration and efficient client engagement while enhancing data security. By syncing essential data and documents across platforms, legal professionals can access critical information without switching between multiple applications — meaning that sensitive information is less likely to be stored or shared through unsecure channels.
5. Prioritize compliance: Compliance with regulatory frameworks like GDPR, LOCS23, and NIS2 is non-negotiable in the legal sector. Adding additional security protections to your email client, like multi-factor authentication and zero-knowledge encryption, supports compliance by safeguarding sensitive client information from unauthorized access or breaches.
Ensuring fully secure legal correspondence
Employees in the legal sector operate under immense pressure and tight deadlines. Efficiency and user experience are paramount, but never at the expense of security and compliance. Integrated technology solutions offer the best of both worlds — meeting the demands of modern legal practice, while empowering professionals to work efficiently and securely in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
By embracing integrated technology solutions, legal firms can optimize workflows, enhance client satisfaction, and uphold the highest standards of security and compliance.
Find out how we can support your firm with enhanced email security.
