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Tabush Group's Cloud & Managed IT Blog

Why More Law Firms Are Moving to Private Cloud Solutions

Law firms have traditionally been late adopters of new technologies, including cloud solutions. But recent events, including high-profile data breaches by increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals and the rapid transition to flexible workplaces in the wake of the pandemic, have pushed more law firms to take the plunge and migrate to a private cloud. 
 
 

Cybersecurity

Law firms fiercely guard the privacy of their client information, and the legal industry historically believed that the use of in-house networks would best ensure the safety of this sensitive data. But in recent years, damaging hacks of private networks by cyber criminals, many of whom target law firms, have demonstrated the need for more sophisticated cybersecurity measures. In a 2021 American Bar Association survey, 25% of law firms reported they had been a victim of a cyberattack.
 
Many law firms have come to accept that reputable private cloud service providers, whose business depends on their ability to ensure client security, have superior resources, expertise, and tools that enable them to protect sensitive data better than the law firms could do on their own. Competent cloud providers make sure law firms are always operating on the most updated software, which reduces certain cyber threats. They ensure all devices have effective and up-to-date firewalls, anti-virus software, and encryption tools. They also offer security audits and round-the-clock monitoring to search for unusual activity across the firm’s system that could indicate an attack. A competent provider can also help a law firm develop a thorough security policy, including training employees on safe practices, and manage the firm’s adherence to the policy.
 

Flexible Workplaces

The pandemic changed the way companies in nearly every industry operate. Flexible work environments are now the norm, with many attorneys and administrative staff members working remotely at least part of the week. Cloud solutions enable law firms to maintain productivity and client service by providing attorneys and staff with secure access to all their files, applications, and tools like calendaring and billing wherever they are, while eliminating the need for the firm to maintain on-premise servers. The adoption of remote or hybrid work models among clients created a need for enhanced communication tools to provide better service, such as secure video conferencing and client portals, and cloud providers have the expertise in-house to guide law firms in adopting these technologies. 

Efficiency

With the shift to more work outside the office, some law firms are taking a hard look at how they can reduce their physical footprint and other overhead costs. When all data is moved to the cloud, a law firm’s need for IT infrastructure, from specialized personnel to bulky servers and hardware, is substantially reduced. The cloud provider stores and backs up files, maintains the system, and handles cybersecurity, updates, and technical support. Further, a good cloud provider will proactively monitor the systems to predict and prevent many common issues from interrupting operations, which enhances productivity. The fact that lawyers and staff members are always working on state-of-the-art software also contributes to operational efficiency. Cloud solutions also provide scalability. When a law firm staffs up or downsizes, employees can be seamlessly onboarded or removed from the system. Law firms typically pay a flat per-user fee monthly for cloud services, which allows them to better predict costs and to budget. 

By hiring a competent cloud provider to professionally manage their IT, law firms are free to focus more time and energy on their core competency, which in an increasingly competitive world is more important than ever.

 

Tabush Group provides a secure cloud-based IT solution to small and midsized law firms. For more information, contact us. 

Topics: Cloud Cybersecurity Law Firm