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23 April 2021
Issue: 7929 / Categories: Legal News , Cyber , Technology , Legal services
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Cyber Essentials: key steps for safeguarding your firm

With more than £4m of client money falling prey to cyberattacks in 2020, can law firms afford not to take all steps necessary to protect themselves?

Law firms often present an easy target for cybercriminals, due to the vast amount of money handled and the lack of in-house security expertise. Attacks can have a devastating impact—not only on the firm’s balance sheet, but also on its reputation and client relationships.

So what can firms do to defend against cyber risks? Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification scheme, covering the key actions a business should take to safeguard its digital security. The scheme assesses the five key criteria which, when properly addressed, can protect a business from up to 98.5% of common cyber threats.

Cyber Essentials certification is a simple, quick and cost-effective way to protect your business: find out more at cybersmart.co.uk.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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