Cloud Computing And Increased Security For Law Firms
In 'Cutting Edge Communications For Law Firms' I wrote about the findings in recent research from CompTIA. In particular how law firms are investing in cutting edge communications technologies to enable people mobility.
One of the other points from the research was that some IT vendors are still struggling to get the benefits of cloud computing across to law firms.
A key concern in the findings was that it can be ' difficult for legal businesses to move to the cloud in the same way consumers do, as data security issues continue to be a headline which can become a barrier to potential firms.' According to ICO figures from Q3-Q4 2014, reported data breaches increased by 9 percent. Solicitors and barristers were the fourth most frequent subjects, ahead of charities and the housing sector and behind only local government, healthcare and education.
Law firms have a legal duty under the Legal Services Act to maintain client confidentiality so this is a clear consideration for any vendor providing services to law firms. This means they must keep the affairs of clients confidential unless disclosure is required or permitted by law or the client consents. One issue is a very real concern about where data will actually be stored in the cloud and whether it could be subject to legislation in other territories outside of those covered by the EU Data Protection Directive. Additionally whether data is easier to protect when stored internally.
The good news CompTIA found was that 'these perceived concerns are slowly becoming resolved, as firms realise that cloud options can actually increase security through stringent service-level agreements.'
We have addressed these concerns directly at Benemen and our Cloud Based Communications Platform is based in EU Data Centres from a trustworthy and secure operator who has over 40 years of experience successfully managing the information security for government departments, national security agencies, professional firms and private businesses. The platform is also designed so as not to require access to any client data. Security, intelligence and services are all in the cloud and available for all devices, all users and all calls. Mobile as well as fixed and also integrated with Office 365 and Skype for Business.
If you would like to know more about how we can help your people be both highly connected and ultra-mobile in a cloud based secure environment then make contact via this link and I (Dave) or Mani will be in touch.