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29 April 2021 / Frances McLeod
Issue: 7930 / Categories: Features , Profession , Covid-19 , Cyber , Data protection , Technology
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Cyber security: nowhere to hide?

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The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on cyber security risks for law firms—the time to act on them is now, says Frances McLeod
  • With many businesses having adjusted to a new, remote way of working, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present specific security challenges to the legal sector.

Historically, law firms have been reluctant to embrace remote working due to concerns around handling highly confidential and sensitive data, tight deadlines, and a collaborative, office-based culture. As law firms now consider the prospect of more permanent remote working, the need to remain vigilant amid increased security risks is greater than ever.

Law firms are particularly vulnerable to attacks, given the high volume of confidential and privileged client information they are required to store.

Issues of connectivity and security from home working are not new. But the pandemic, forcing a near total shift to home working, has shone a light on the matter. Now more than ever, data governance is a business-critical function, yet companies are required

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Carter-Ruck—Tomas Vail

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Carter-Ruck strengthens International team with appointment of arbitration partner Tomas Vail

Slater Heelis—Nick Terry

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Slater Heelis strengthens crime and regulatory team with appointment of Nick Terry as partner

Payne Hicks Beach—Thomas Moran & Sarah Gogan

Payne Hicks Beach—Thomas Moran & Sarah Gogan

Payne Hicks Beach strengthens private wealth offering with appointment of two new partners

NEWS
Expert witnesses face a multitude of risks and uncertainties when using artificial intelligence (AI) in their reports, IT specialists have warned
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has accepted Richard Lloyd’s recommendations for the Legal Services Board (LSB) and ordered a ‘comprehensive review of the regulatory framework’, likely to continue beyond 2029
More than one-third of expert witnesses now use artificial intelligence (AI) regularly or occasionally in their work, according to Bond Solon’s 2026 expert witness survey
General counsel have warned law firms not to keep artificial intelligence (AI) savings to themselves or risk losing work
Some 53 firms have been successfully assessed for legal aid contracts for inquest work and will now move to the verification stage, the Legal Aid Agency has confirmed
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