Law Firm Data Breaches Are Rising: Is Your Firm Protected?
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Cybersecurity Fundamentals Training
Endsight provides a complimentary cybersecurity training. Our goal is to bring awareness of the latest trends and best practices to help reduce cyber risk for our customers, our business community, and their families.
Why Cybersecurity for Small Law Firms Matters More Than Ever
- Nearly 30% of law firms have experienced a cybersecurity breach.
- 40% of clients consider firing a firm after a breach.
- The average breach costs $36,000 for small firms.
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What Makes Law Firms So Vulnerable to Cyberattacks?
Cybercriminals aren’t just chasing the biggest firms—they’re going after the ones they think will be easiest to breach. Smaller law firms often fit that description.
Common attack methods include phishing emails, ransomware, credential theft, and data leaks. And they work—because many firms still haven’t put basic protections in place.
Here’s what hackers are counting on:
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No formal cybersecurity policy
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Outdated or scattered security tools
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Unsecured remote access
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No incident response plan
According to the ABA:
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17% of firms still have no cybersecurity policy
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79% of firms lack an incident response plan
If you’re not sure how your firm would respond to a breach, attackers are betting on that uncertainty—and it can cost you both money and client trust.
What Happens After a Data Breach in a Law Firm?
- $36,000 average cost per incident (for small firms)
- Lost productivity from downtime and investigation
- Damage to your reputation—especially in close-knit legal communities
- Permanent client loss (31% of clients leave post-breach)
- Possible regulatory consequences (especially in states like CA and NY)
Law Firm Cybersecurity Best Practices You Can Put in Place Today
Start with these:
- Create a cybersecurity policy that includes rules for devices, remote access, and client data handling.
- Train your staff on how to spot phishing emails and avoid unsafe links.
- Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
- Keep software updated and perform regular vulnerability scans.
- Encrypt sensitive client data, especially on mobile or remote systems.
- Create an incident response plan—even a simple one is better than none.
You Don’t Need to Be a Cybersecurity Expert—That’s Our Job
Final Word: Cybersecurity Is No Longer Optional
Law Firm Data Breaches Are Rising: Is Your Firm Protected?
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