The British Legal Tech Forum brought together some of the brightest minds in cyber security, legal tech, and regulatory compliance to discuss the ever-evolving risks facing law firms today. e2e-assure had the privilege of hosting the panel ‘Mind the Gaps: Closing Cyber Risks Across Legal IT Environments’, where experts unpacked key challenges and solutions for the legal sector.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the discussion:
1. Business Email Compromise: A Persistent and Growing Threat
One of the most pressing concerns remains business email compromise (BEC) – a sophisticated cyber threat that manipulates employees into transferring funds or divulging sensitive information. The legal sector, dealing with high-value transactions and confidential client data, is an attractive target. The panel underscored the importance of robust email security, employee training on phishing tactics, and strong verification processes to reduce risk.
2. Navigating the Complexities of Cyber Security Regulations
Angela Gregson, Competition Law Partner at Weightmans, emphasised the critical need for regulations to evolve alongside technological advancements. The panel highlighted the growing influence of legal frameworks on cyber security strategies, particularly in areas like digital markets and national security investments. Law firms must stay ahead by continuously assessing compliance obligations, especially concerning cloud providers and their security standards.
3. Attack Disruption: The Importance of SaaS-Specific Logging
With the growing reliance on SaaS applications, Rob Demain, CEO and Founder at e2e-assure, highlighted the need for law firms to rethink their security posture. The panel emphasised that effective logging and monitoring of SaaS platforms is vital for identifying and disrupting cyber threats in real time. Without visibility into security events, firms risk blind spots that could lead to undetected breaches. You can find additional resources on Attack Disruption and its benefits here.
4. Cyber Security Success Hinges on People and Processes
Additionally, Toks Oladuti , CISO at Dentons, rightly pointed out that technology alone isn’t enough to secure legal IT environments. A strategic approach integrating people, processes, and technology is crucial. This means:
- Educating employees on security best practices
- Establishing clear cyber security policies
- Implementing security frameworks that prioritise both client data protection and operational efficiency
5. Incident Response: A Guitar Analogy That Hits the Right Notes
Incident response isn’t just about having the right tools – it’s also about practice. As Hernani Correia, Head of Centre for Cyber Defence at FCA, put it, owning a guitar doesn’t make you a musician; practice does. Similarly, cyber security tools alone won’t prevent breaches unless firms regularly test and refine their response strategies. Multidisciplinary teams spanning Cyber security, Legal, Operations, and Leadership—must conduct tabletop exercises and technical drills to ensure a swift and coordinated response to security incidents.
Closing the Gaps in Legal Cyber Security
Cyber threats in the legal sector are growing in complexity, but with the right strategy, firms can proactively defend themselves against evolving risks. At e2e-assure, we help legal teams bridge security gaps through comprehensive assessments, proactive monitoring, and expert-led cyber security services.
Is your firm prepared? Find out with our Cyber Security Assessment Services. Get started here.
