3 Advanced Data Protection Practices for Modern Law Firms

Is your law firm’s data at risk? Cyberattacks on law firms are growing more advanced and common. Since 2018, 138 law firms have reported ransomware attacks affecting at least 2.9 million records. And in 2023 alone, 45 firms were affected, more than any other year, exposing over 1.6 million records.

Hackers target legal data, including contracts, case files, financial records, and confidential emails. These calculated attacks can cause immediate damage, including lost trust, missed deadlines, exposure of sensitive client information, and costly legal fallout.

Traditional tools like firewalls and passwords aren’t enough. Today’s threat landscape requires more sophisticated and proactive protection, especially for firms handling large volumes of private data.

Discover three practices for advanced data protection and how law firm management software from backdocket helps protect your clients and your reputation.

1. Zero-Trust Security: Stop Threats Before They Spread

Zero-trust security treats every user and device as untrusted by default. Whether someone logs in from inside your office or remotely, the system checks their identity, verifies the device, and evaluates whether the request makes sense.

Here’s how it differs from basic security:

• Access isn’t granted based solely on login credentials
• Each request is evaluated continuously, not just once
• Permissions are tailored to user roles, behaviors, and context
• Unusual activity, like odd login times or unfamiliar devices, triggers alerts or blocks

Technology Tip: Choose tools that include role-based access, device recognition, location checks, and alerts for suspicious behavior. Systems built with a zero-trust approach will verify users continuously, not just at login.

2. End-to-End Encryption: Keep Client Data Locked Down

End-to-end encryption keeps information private from the moment it’s created until it reaches its intended recipient. The data gets scrambled before it leaves your device and stays that way while it’s sent, stored, or backed up.

With firm-controlled access, only your team holds the digital “key” to unlock it and unscramble it; no one else can read it, not even the software provider. This is better than basic security because:

• Data is encrypted before it leaves your device and remains that way in storage
• Decryption rights stay with your firm, not with the platform handling the files
• Even under legal or external pressure, providers can’t access your information
• Advanced encryption standards (like AES-256) make files useless to outside actors

Technology Tip: Look for practice management platforms that support end-to-end encryption with firm-controlled access. Ask how and where encryption begins, and make sure providers cannot view or unlock your stored data.

3. Automated Monitoring: Catch Issues Before They Become Breaches

Law firms are responsible for keeping detailed records of how sensitive data is handled. That includes knowing who opened a file, when they accessed it, and what changes were made. Manual tracking isn’t realistic, especially across dozens of users and cases.

Automated systems log activity as it happens. This is helpful because:

• Every login, document change and download is tracked automatically
• Real-time alerts flag unusual behavior, like access from new locations or odd hours
• Built-in logs make it easier to meet privacy regulations and respond to audits
• Continuous oversight reduces the risk of missed warning signs or data mishandling

Technology Tip: When choosing law practice management software, look for a system that tracks activity automatically with detailed audit trails, user-specific access logs, and real-time alerts. You should be able to see exactly who did what and when.

Backdocket’s All-in-One Solution

Our software is built to protect sensitive legal data at every stage without complicating your daily workflow. The software includes advanced security and the tools law firms need to work efficiently, so you get both protection and ease of use.

With backdocket, you get:

Backdocket helps your firm protect sensitive data, meet compliance standards, and reduce risk in every case you handle.

Don’t Wait Until There’s a Breach: Protect Your Firm With Backdocket

Modern threats require more than basic security. Zero-trust access, full encryption, and automated monitoring have become essential for protecting client data and firm operations.

Backdocket includes these protections by default. You get advanced security built for legal work without the high cost or complicated setup. Whether you manage a solo practice or a growing team, our practice management tool keeps information secure and systems running reliably.

Request a free demo to explore how backdocket supports secure, modern law firm management from day one.