Are you still doubting the effectiveness of the cloud for the management of your law firm’s sensitive data? Well, here are four reasons why you may want to reconsider your stance:
- You benefit from multi-layered security defenses. The best cloud service providers maintain your information under multiple levels of security, using virtual and physical precautions. Studies show that breaches are largely based on access and these providers take multiple measures to limit the accessibility of your data. It brings up images of an action-packed movie, with barbed wire fences, 24-hour security guards, and camera surveillance. Do you maintain that level of security for the storage backup in your office? You could with a switch to the cloud.
- Your firm controls access. With a traditional in-office backup system, the only thing standing between confidential information and unauthorized parties is often a locked door. Cloud storage puts access decisions in the hands of your practice administrators. You decide who can retrieve your firm’s information, using as many restrictions as you prefer. The cloud removes the physical proximity of hackers and your firm’s data. Without physical access by numerous parties, it becomes substantially more difficult for data to be stolen.
- Your firm benefits from cybersecurity expertise. Cloud service providers are experts in cybersecurity and keeping data safe. It is their main focus on a daily basis, which makes them experts in the area. You may not know the latest and greatest security hacking threats, but they do… and they put that knowledge to work for you. They also undergo regularly scheduled audits of their cloud systems to identify any flaws or weaknesses, which make them more reliable and up-to-date than older storage systems.
- Your system is probably just… old. Most traditional systems, even when upgraded, rely on some level of outdated infrastructure. As explained by an article from InfoWorld, many businesses operate with storage systems that mix various generations of technology. This creates multiple areas of vulnerability for hackers to access your confidential data. As stated in the article, hackers understand the intrinsic security risks of these aging systems and work diligently to exploit them. Even with the most qualified IT professionals, your firm probably lacks the time and resources to continuously fight these threats.
If you are still on the fence about jumping into the cloud, give some serious consideration to these proven benefits.
About Erika Winston:
Erika Winston is a freelance writer with a passion for law. Through her business, The Legal Writing Studio, she helps legal professionals deliver effective written messages. Erika is a regular contributor to TimeSolv and a variety of other publications.