Cloud security in the legal sector: Managing risks, compliance and cyber threats
In a rapidly evolving cyber risk landscape, law firms — prime targets for cybercriminals — can no longer afford to take a reactive approach to cloud security, notes Iomart
The legal industry is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, with cloud adoption now considered essential for modern law firms.
However, with great innovation comes great responsibility — particularly when it comes to securing confidential client data, sensitive case files and privileged legal communications.
Gartner predicts that global cloud spending will reach $678 billion in 2025, reflecting a widespread shift from on-premises IT to scalable, cloud-based solutions.
Yet, as legal firms embrace the benefits of cloud technology, they must also address escalating cyber security threats, evolving compliance regulations, and multi-cloud complexity.
1. The growing risk of data breaches in law firms
Law firms are a prime target for cybercriminals on account of the sensitive and high-value data they handle. A 2023 IDC report revealed that 79% of organisations experienced at least one cloud data breach, with law firms increasingly falling victim to:
- Ransomware attacks that encrypt case files and demand payment for decryption.
- Data integrity breaches, where cybercriminals manipulate legal documents without detection.
- Business email compromise (BEC) schemes that target law firms handling large financial transactions.
The financial and reputational damage can be catastrophic. IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report found that the average cost of a data breach has risen to $4.88 million — a figure even higher in sectors handling regulated data.
2. Navigating regulatory compliance in the cloud
Legal professionals must ensure that cloud solutions align with strict data protection and compliance requirements, such as:
- GDPR and UK Data Protection Act — Law firms must ensure cloud providers adhere to data residency and encryption standards to safeguard client confidentiality.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulations — Legal practitioners must uphold professional responsibility for cyber security, ensuring cloud-based workflows do not compromise sensitive legal data.
- ISO 27001 and NIST Cyber Security Frameworks — Adopting these frameworks helps firms demonstrate strong security governance and mitigate regulatory risks.
Failure to comply can lead to severe penalties — over €2.92bn in GDPR fines have been issued since 2018, with legal and financial sectors among the hardest hit.
3. Strengthening cloud security for legal practices
To protect client data and ensure compliance, law firms should adopt a multi-layered security approach that includes:
- Zero trust architecture — Implementing role-based access controls and continuous authentication to ensure only authorised personnel can access case files.
- End-to-end encryption — Protecting client communications and legal documents with secure encryption both in transit and at rest.
- Immutable backups and ransomware protection — Ensuring case files are tamper-proof and recoverable, even in the event of a cyberattack.
- AI-powered threat detection — Using advanced security analytics to detect and respond to threats in real time.
The verdict: Proactive security is non-negotiable
With cyber threats on the rise and compliance obligations tightening, law firms can no longer afford a reactive approach to cloud security. By implementing robust security measures, staying ahead of evolving regulations, and partnering with trusted cloud security experts, firms can mitigate risk, maintain client trust, and future-proof their legal operations.
Is your legal practice prepared for the evolving cyber security landscape?
Speak to our experts to assess your risk exposure and strengthen your cloud security posture.
