5 ways hackers target the legal sector in 2023

One of the primary cyber security threats to the UK legal sector is criminal activity with a financial motive. Law firms possess valuable client information and financial data, making them attractive targets. The vulnerabilities within their everyday workflows, such as bank transfers, identity checks, and email communications, expose them to various forms of malicious cyber activity.

The Importance of Cyber Security for the Legal Sector

To mitigate these risks, it is crucial for legal firms to acknowledge these vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive cyber security measures. Regular cyber security reviews help identify potential weaknesses in their systems and processes. Employee training programs are essential to educate staff about cyber security best practices and raise awareness about potential threats like phishing. 

Key Cyber Security Measures for Law Firms

Encryption protocols and access controls should be implemented to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data. Encryption protects the exchange and storage of information, while access controls restrict unauthorised individuals from accessing critical systems and data. Additionally, an immutable backup plan is recommended to effectively handle and mitigate the impact of a cyber-attack should one occur. 

Vulnerabilities and Risks Faced by the Legal Sector

The consequences of a cyber-attack can be severe, both financially and reputationally, for businesses in the legal sector and their clients. Financial losses may result from stolen funds, disrupted operations, or legal liabilities. The reputational damage can lead to a loss of client trust and potentially the loss of clients altogether. 

Cyber criminals exploit law firms in many ways, such as:

1. Limited cyber security measures: Law firms may not prioritise or invest enough in robust cybersecurity measures. They might have outdated or insufficient security systems, lack regular cyber security audits, or have weak password policies. This makes them an easier target for cyber attackers. 
2. Phishing emails: Cybercriminals often employ phishing techniques to target employees of businesses in the legal sector. They may send fraudulent emails that appear to be from trusted sources, enticing recipients to click on malicious links or provide sensitive information. Legal professionals, who often receive numerous emails and attachments, may inadvertently fall victim to such attacks. 
3. Third-party vulnerabilities: Legal firms frequently collaborate with external vendors, including eDiscovery platforms, court reporting services, or cloud storage providers. These third-party connections can introduce additional vulnerabilities if they have inadequate security measures. Cyber attackers may exploit these weak links to gain unauthorised access to the law firm’s systems. 
4. Ransomware attacks: Businesses in the legal sector are particularly susceptible to ransomware attacks, where malicious software encrypts the firm’s data and demands a ransom for its release. Because law firms rely heavily on their data, such attacks can have severe consequences and put them under immense pressure to pay the ransom. 
5. Lack of employee cyber security awareness: Employees, including lawyers and support staff, may not receive adequate cyber security training. This can lead to unintentional security breaches, such as clicking on malicious links, using weak passwords, or falling victim to social engineering tactics. 

Due to these vulnerabilities, it is imperative for legal firms to prioritise cyber security and allocate resources to establish a strong defence against cyber threats. The legal sector is important to the Government-led National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as lawyers, legal practices and law firms play an essential role in the UK’s economy and society and actively encourage all legal firms to ensure they have the highest levels of protection. This sector, which is so reliant on IT and Technology, needs to be as resilient as possible to cyber-attacks.  

At Central Technology, we have extensive experience working with businesses in the legal sector supporting them in securing their IT infrastructure and obtaining many critical security accreditations. Our Cyber Security Review is designed to identify any potential vulnerabilities in your current IT infrastructure that could result in a cyber-attack and prepare your business for any security accreditations such as Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO27001.