Top Cyber Security Threats to Law Firms:
How to Build a Strong Defence

Blog posted on 7th February 2025

Introduction: Why Law Firms are Prime Targets

Cyber security threats to law firms are increasing as hackers recognise the value of legal data. Law firms are known to handle sensitive client information, financial records, and intellectual property, making them attractive targets for cyber criminals. Firms are faced with a balancing act of protecting confidential communications, while also ensuring seamless access to case files and client data. With the rise of remote work and cloud-based case management, securing digital infrastructure has never been more critical.

Regulatory bodies such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) impose strict requirements on data protection. Non-compliance can result in severe fines and legal repercussions. To mitigate risk, law firms must adopt a proactive approach to security—identifying vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

Top 5 Cyber Security Threats to Law Firms

Phishing & Email Security

Phishing attacks continue to be one of the most significant cyber security threats to law firms, with over 90% of cyber attacks beginning with a phishing email. Deceptive emails are being crafted to impersonate clients, partners, or senior staff, and trick employees into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. In 2021, 82% of legal firms reported phishing attempts as a major concern. One prominent case occurred in 2020, where a global law firm suffered a $10 million loss due to a BEC scam that diverted funds to a criminal’s account. Strengthening email security through phishing awareness training, multi-factor authentication, and advanced email filtering can significantly reduce the likelihood of a successful attack.

Ransomware Attacks

Despite being less frequent when compared to phishing, ransomware remains one of the most damaging types of cyber attack for law firms. According to a 2020 report by the American Bar Association, 29% of law firms experienced a ransomware attack in the previous year. The high value of legal data and the potential for operational disruption make law firms prime targets for these attacks. To reduce this risk, law firms must implement robust backup strategies, endpoint detection solutions, and regular security updates to ensure that they can recover quickly from any attack.

Insider Threats

When managing security, firms must also consider threats from within. Insider threats occur when employees intentionally or unintentionally compromise security by mishandling sensitive data. This can include falling victim to social engineering, or misusing their access privileges. Disgruntled employees or negligent staff can expose confidential client information, leading to serious consequences. Implementing strict access controls, employee monitoring, and regular security training can help mitigate this risk.

Weak Cloud Security

With the rise of remote work and cloud-based case management systems, law firms are increasingly reliant on cloud storage and collaboration tools. This brings with it some risks. Weak cloud security configurations can expose sensitive legal documents to unauthorised access. Misconfigured settings, poor password management, and a lack of encryption can leave firms vulnerable to data breaches. Ensuring cloud platforms are secured with strong authentication measures, encryption, and regular audits is crucial in protecting legal data.

Third-Party & Supply Chain Risks

Third-party vendors and service providers are often a weak link in a law firm’s cyber security. Attacks compromise vendor systems to gain access to client data or disrupt operations. To mitigate these risks, law firms should conduct thorough security assessments of third-party providers, establish clear data-sharing policies, and enforce contractual cyber security requirements to ensure third parties adhere to the firm’s security standards

How to Build a Strong Security Posture

Implement Regular Penetration Testing

Often law firms will rely on standard security tools, however, these can leave hidden vulnerabilities. Penetration testing is a simulated real-world attack, to uncover weak spots before cyber criminals do.

✅ Best Practices:

Conduct penetration tests at least once a year to assess system vulnerabilities.
Test internal and external networks, cloud services, and email security.
Act on findings immediately to mitigate discovered risks.

Strengthen Email Security & Phishing Awareness

Since law firms depend heavily on email for client communication, phishing remains one of the biggest security risks. Attackers can impersonate clients or colleagues to steal credentials, access case files, or initiate fraudulent transactions.

✅ Best Practices:

Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all email accounts to prevent unauthorised access.
Train employees with regular phishing simulations so they can spot suspicious emails.
Use email filtering tools to block phishing attempts before they reach inboxes.

Strengthen Cloud Security Measures

With more and more law firms storing case files and client data in the cloud, misconfigured cloud settings can create security gaps. Without the right protections, sensitive documents could be exposed or accessed by unauthorised parties.

✅ Best Practices:

Encrypt client data before storing it in the cloud.
Regularly review user access permissions to ensure only authorised staff can access files.
Enable automatic alerts for unusual login attempts or data transfers.

Secure Third-Party & Supply Chain Relationships

Law firms frequently work with external vendors, such as IT providers and document management services. If these vendors have weak security, they can become a backdoor for attackers to access your systems.

✅ Best Practices:

Conduct security assessments on vendors handling sensitive data.
Set clear cyber security requirements in contracts with third-party providers.
Restrict vendor access to only what’s necessary to prevent excessive system privileges.

Conclusion & Author:

For law firms, cyber security is not just an IT issue—but a direct risk to client confidentiality, business continuity, and regulatory compliance. Proactive security measures like penetration testing, supplier vetting, and strong access controls allow firms to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do, reducing the risk of both financial and reputational damage.

By taking security into your own hands, your firm can build a resilient security posture that protects sensitive data, maintains client trust, and ensures compliance with legal regulations.

Tom Sabine, Account Director

If you would like to discuss this topic further with Tom, have any questions, or would just like to connect in general, you can reach out to him in the following ways:

Mobile: +44 7480 730358
Email: Tom.Sabine@codeshield.co.uk