Protecting Your Firm from Cyber Threats in 2025

Above The Law reports that as 2025 begins, law firms and legal departments are emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity to protect confidential data against cyber threats and avoid costly data breaches.

Cyber threats are growing more sophisticated, with hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated or unpatched systems, leveraging advanced phishing techniques, and combining these with AI to bypass email filters.

The cost of a data breach is significant, with the average in 2024 reaching $4.88 million, enough to financially cripple under-insured firms. Breaches occur through various means, mainly phishing, ransomware, and insider attacks. They expose private data, leading to identity theft, financial fraud, and legal repercussions.

The introduction of ransomware demanding dual payments and the threats posed by disgruntled former employees have escalated cybersecurity challenges.

The financial impact of a data breach extends beyond initial incident response costs. It includes hiring IT vendors, cybersecurity consultants, and forensic investigators.

Regulatory fines for data privacy violations and class action lawsuits amplify the financial burden of cyberattacks. Damage to a firm’s reputation can have consequences, such as losing clients and struggling to retain or attract talent, that can affect a law firm’s or company’s future.

Restoring business operations is another costly endeavor. Immutable backups (backups that cannot be changed or deleted for a specified period of time) are the best expedient for recovering from a cyber-attack such as ransomware.

To mitigate risk, prioritize cybersecurity awareness training, implement proactive monitoring, adopt risk management controls, and follow best practices such as those outlined by NIST. Although no measures can entirely eliminate the risk, a strong cybersecurity framework can significantly reduce vulnerabilities.