Legal practitioners these days are no longer tied to desks, but instead are on the move, conducting business, taking care of clients, and turning 30-minutes commutes into 30-minutes strategy sessions. While there is no doubt that mobility - both the devices and the power “suite” of apps - helps lawyers take care of business, it’s not without its risks.
With such portable endpoints, it’s no surprise that these devices are easily misplaced or lost. And often they can be the target of thieves—either by opportunity or because someone specifically wants your data.
In an article for Corporate Counsel, “Mobile Lawyering: 3 Risk and 3 Solutions,” I explore the top risks you face as a legal practitioner when it comes to mobility:
As a legal professional, the expectation of privacy and protection is placed on your shoulders. It’s not simply enough to encrypt data and expect this to be enough, you need to be able to prove that the data is preserved. What if the burglary was an inside job? What if the information on the device is publicly divulged after you've stated it's secure? The damage to the relationship and the loss of trust that would occur is likely irreversible. It also may expose you and your company to lawsuits that could prove devastating.
The solution to these three risks come through a combination of:
If you have any questions about the role of legal counsel in protecting data, I’d be happy to help.