Ransomware and Prevention for Law Firms

All it takes is one person clicking on the wrong link and all of your firm’s files could be locked up for good. Law firms of all shapes and sizes, including solo and small law firms, have been held hostage by ransomware, the malicious software that encrypts your data until you pay a hefty fee. Worse yet, today's criminals also steal and threaten to publish or sell your information if you don't meet their demands. During this presentation, Sherri will describe how ransomware works, share what lawyers can do to reduce the risk of falling prey to a ransomware attack, and explain what actions a firm and its lawyers can take in response to becoming a victim.

Under various states’ rules of professional conduct, lawyers have an ethical obligation to protect their clients’ information and files and attention should be paid to the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology. The greatest risk lawyers face today with the use of technology is ransomware. Confidentiality rules state that a lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, client information. This cybersecurity course is designed to teach lawyers the necessary steps they need to take to avoid becoming a victim of a ransomware attack. This addresses the very core of what the rules of professional conduct require.