Here’s Your Cybersecurity Starter Kit
News of the MOVEit data breach – which resulted in the exposure of personal data on millions of people – set off alarm bells in law offices from Wilmington, NC to Walla Walla, WA.
The hackers took advantage of an alleged flaw in the popular software program MOVEit. The file-transfer program is used by federal agencies, state universities and corporations around the world.
The U.S. Department of Energy was reportedly hit, as was British Airways, the BBC, the University of Georgia and a string of other educational institutions. More than 3 million people in Oregon were affected. Everyone in Louisiana with a driver’s license was impacted.
Even if your law firm doesn’t use MOVEit software, here are three key questions to ask yourself:
- Have all software programs in your office been vetted, updated and tested?
- Do you try to stay on top of development in technology and cybersecurity?
- Do you have Cyber Liability insurance coverage?
Read more about the MOVEit hack here and here.
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Lawyers Mutual Data Privacy Policy
Risk Management Package
With each new piece of technology comes new potential for data security breach. The dangers inherent in using a smartphone or tablet are quite different from those associated with a laptop. Even the convenience of wireless internet has more opportunities for attack than traditional hard-wired systems. While most security measures focus on external threats from hackers and malicious downloads, internal threats account for twice as much monetary loss as external threats.
An internal threat could be the deletion or dissemination of computer files related to a client’s case. One employee could also share their password with another, granting someone access beyond the scope of their position. To prevent the intentional or unintentional problems created by employee use of software and equipment, developing a thorough data securities policy is more important than ever.
This policy should provide employees with information regarding the acceptable use of mobile technology as well as password security and wireless access policies to protect confidential data.
A law firm depends on protecting confidential client information. Most of this information is available in electronic format for accessibility in and out of the office. Preventing client information from mysteriously growing legs or disappearing is crucial to a law firm’s well-being.
While most security measures focus on external threats from hackers and malicious downloads, internal threats account for twice as much monetary loss as external threats.
Eight Categories of Cyber Awareness
1. Office Computers and Servers
2. Secure Backups
3. Password Security
4. Internet Use
5. Email
6. Metadata
7. Remote Access
8. Smartphones, Tablets and Remote Storage Devices
Download the Lawyers Mutual Data Privacy Policy Risk Management Package here.
SOURCES: Lawyers Mutual and CNN
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