The risks associated with hacking and other cyber threats are well-publicized and are rightly understood to be a serious concern for law firms. Although many law firms are exercising increased vigilance in response to such threats, the greater threat to law firm security may be closer to home. Indeed, there is a far less sophisticated but equally dangerous risk posed by an attorney simply losing her or his cell phone or laptop.
This risk has been exacerbated by the fact that devices now can essentially act as portals into all of the law firm’s confidential files. One lost device could risk the loss of enormous amounts of client information. Moreover, attorneys may carry multiple devices with such access, including a cell phone, laptop, or a tablet, and such devices are easy to misplace, especially when traveling.
