Best practice cybersecurity for law firms

For most law firms, cybersecurity is about consistent, sensible use of everyday technology rather than complex or specialist solutions.

You don’t have to be a luxury car maker, a nationwide retailer or a major airport to be affected by a cyber incident. Recent events in the UK have shown that organisations of all sizes, including those operating in the legal sector, can face serious operational, financial and reputational consequences.

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern for law firms – it’s a core business risk. From protecting sensitive client information to maintaining trust and regulatory compliance, law firms are under pressure to demonstrate that security is embedded in their day-to-day operation.

This blog explains why cybersecurity matters in the legal sector, outlines the current threat landscape and highlights practical measures law firms can put in place to strengthen their defences. While these steps may be considered ‘basic’, they can make a significant difference in reducing risk. It’s not intended as specialist cybersecurity advice, nor is it aimed at large law firms with dedicated security teams; rather, it serves as a practical reminder of common threats and sensible actions that can help reduce avoidable exposure.

The evolving cyber threat landscape – and why it matters

Law firms are attractive targets for cybercriminals because of the highly sensitive information they hold. This includes personal data, financial information, intellectual property and privileged communications to name a few. Access to this type of data can be lucrative for attackers, whether for financial gain, extortion or corporate espionage.

The most common types of cyber incidents facing law firms include phishing and social engineering, business email compromise (BEC), ransomware, insider threats (including accidental errors by staff) and vulnerabilities introduced through third-party suppliers.

Email-based attacks remain one of the most frequent entry points, often relying on convincing messages that trick staff into clicking malicious links or authorising fraudulent payments.

Regulatory pressure adds another layer of risk. A data breach can lead to investigations by the Information Commissioner’s Office, potential fines, reputational damage, loss of client trust and professional liability claims. Increasingly, clients also expect law firms to demonstrate robust cybersecurity controls as part of procurement and onboarding processes.

As a result, cyber insurance has become more relevant, particularly to cover first-party losses such as forensic investigations, notification costs, public relations support and business interruption – areas often excluded from standard professional indemnity insurance.

Essential cybersecurity measures to build strong foundations

As already explained, cybersecurity does not need to be overly complex to be effective. The key is to implement a combination of sensible safeguards and ensure they are understood and followed across the law firm.

Governance and policies

Clear governance and well-understood policies provide the foundation for consistent, responsible use of technology across the law firm.

Define a clear cybersecurity policy and incident response plan, and assign responsibility to a named individual or role, such as a security lead or compliance officer. Regular risk assessments and reviews should be part of normal governance.

Key tip: Policies should cover acceptable use, access control, data classification, device security and remote working. Just as importantly, staff must be aware of these policies and formally acknowledge them.

Access and identity controls

Controlling who can access what – and how – is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk.

Enforce multi-factor authentication for all users, particularly for email, remote access and cloud-based systems. Apply the principle of least privilege so users only have access to the systems and data they genuinely need.

Key tip: Avoid shared accounts and ensure that accounts for leavers are disabled promptly. Processes involving client funds or financial transactions should include additional verification steps to protect against fraud.

Email and phishing protection

Email is still the primary way most cyber incidents begin, often through messages that appear legitimate but are carefully designed to mislead.

Use email filtering and anti-phishing tools to block malicious messages before they reach inboxes. Configure email domain protection measures to reduce the risk of spoofed emails appearing to come from your law firm.

Key tip: Regular staff training is critical. Many breaches start with a single click, and informed employees are one of the strongest lines of defence.

Endpoint and device security

Laptops, desktops and mobile devices are central to modern legal work, which makes keeping them secure a basic but essential requirement.

Ensure all laptops, desktops and mobile devices are kept up to date with operating system and software patches. Full-disk encryption should be enabled on portable devices, alongside reputable antivirus or security software.

Key tip: If staff use personal devices for work, consider mobile device management to maintain control and security.

Network and perimeter defences

Network controls help protect internal systems from external threats and limit the spread of issues if something goes wrong.

Firewalls and intrusion detection or prevention systems help protect your internal network from external threats. Separating parts of the network – for example separating servers and guest Wi-Fi – can limit the impact of a breach.

Key tip: Assume that no network is completely immune and design systems to minimise damage if an intrusion occurs.

Data protection and backups

Reliable access to data is critical to legal work, making protection and recoverability just as important as availability.

Regularly back up critical data and test restoration procedures to ensure they work. Keep backups offline or offsite so they cannot be accessed by ransomware.

Key tip: Identify which data is most sensitive and ensure it is encrypted both when stored and when being transmitted, to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.

Third-party and supplier risk

Law firms rely more and more on third-party systems and services, which means supplier weaknesses can quickly become internal risks.

Review the security arrangements of IT providers, cloud services and software suppliers, and ensure contracts include appropriate security and liability clauses.

Key tip: A breach at a supplier can have direct consequences for your law firm, so understanding where your law firm relies on suppliers and the risks involved is essential.

Incident response and monitoring

Having clear plans and the ability to identify issues early allows law firms to respond more effectively when incidents occur.

A documented incident response procedure ensures everyone knows what to do if something goes wrong. Basic logging and alerting can help detect incidents early.

Key tip: Identify and engage external specialists – such as forensic investigators or breach response providers – in advance, rather than during a crisis. Time is critical in managing a cyber incident.

Training and security culture

People play a central role in keeping systems secure, particularly where technology depends on consistent and informed use.

Cybersecurity is as much about people as technology. Provide regular training on security awareness and consider running simple practice scenarios to test responses.

Key tip: Encourage a culture where staff feel comfortable reporting mistakes or near misses without fear of blame. Early reporting can significantly reduce harm.

Cyber insurance and liability

Insurance can provide valuable support after an incident, but it works best when aligned with realistic risk management and controls.

A dedicated cyber insurance policy can provide valuable protection against first-party losses, including investigation costs, notifications, ransom demands and business interruption.

Key tip: Understand the limits of your professional indemnity insurance and ensure your cybersecurity controls meet insurer requirements.

Compliance and legal considerations

Regulatory obligations shape how data and systems must be managed, particularly when incidents involve personal or confidential information.

Ensure compliance with UK data protection laws, maintain appropriate records and breach logs, and stay aware of regulatory developments.

Key tip: A breach may trigger obligations to notify clients, regulators or other parties, and poor handling can exacerbate reputational and legal consequences.

Why we’re talking about cybersecurity

At Integrated Office Solutions, we believe cybersecurity isn’t a standalone topic – it’s an integral part of how law firms use technology safely, efficiently and confidently.

As specialist developers, trainers and consultants for the legal sector, we work closely with law firms to help them get the most from their software. That includes not only improving productivity and workflows, but also ensuring those systems are implemented, configured and used in a way that mitigates risk.

We regularly see that cyber incidents don’t arise solely from malicious attacks, but from gaps in system setup, inconsistent processes, lack of training or misunderstanding of how software should be used day to day. Our role is to help bridge that gap and empower law firms to use technology fully, correctly and securely.

By combining legal-sector expertise with practical system knowledge, we support law firms in building stronger operational foundations, improving resilience and creating environments where people and technology work together optimally.

Final thoughts and next steps

Cybersecurity is an ongoing process, not a one-off project. Threats evolve, technology changes and law firms grow, meaning security controls must keep pace.

Starting with strong fundamentals, regular reviews and a culture of awareness helps law firms manage risk, meet regulatory expectations and maintain client confidence. Taking action now can prevent far greater disruption, cost and reputational damage in the future.

Talk to your trusted technology partner

If this blog has raised questions about your law firm’s approach to cybersecurity, it may be helpful to discuss them with a trusted IT or technology adviser who’s familiar with your systems and risk profile.

You can find further introductory guidance by reading the Law Society's cybersecurity guidance for solicitors.