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Remote Law on the Rise: How Technology Can Help Your Firm Survive Covid-19

It’s undeniable that Covid-19 has sent the global economy into a spin.  No industry can evade the impact of the current pandemic, including the legal industry. Being a lawyer today can be a daunting prospect with much left to the unknown. However, with the right preparation and tools, it is possible to overcome the turmoil that this virus has brought on.

So, what’s the answer to ensuring that your law firm survives the Coronavirus pandemic? Remote work! Properly preparing your staff and transitioning your company’s process over to an online-based platform can ensure that deadlines and tasks are still being met. 

With that being said, for remote law to be a success, you have to promote connectivity through technology. Technology is what will bind your firm together, allow for constant communication, and reduce the need to venture out and leave the safety of your home. In this article, we will cover how digital tools can aid your firm in surviving isolation. 

Using Technology to Take Your Law Firm Beyond Covid-19

Over the past few days, our team at Amberlo took to our clients and law firms to discuss their plan of action during the lockdown. What we quickly realized was that although the solution was remote work, it wasn’t as easy to adapt to as what they had thought. 

When thinking of remote work, it’s natural to think of the luxury that comes from sitting on the couch with a laptop. However, adapting to the working world outside of the office isn’t as simple. For your firm to grow and keep up a winning practice, clear processes and constant communication can’t be done without.  

Thankfully, remote law work isn’t a foreign concept. Technology has grown in leaps and bounds to help lawyers practice better and more efficiently. Even in the midst of a pandemic, technology can help your firm access important client information anytime, from anywhere. This means that meeting client demands is not only possible but very easy to do. 

Transitioning to working from home may be the answer to surviving Covid-19 but it’s how you utilize this tactic that will truly define your success. To mitigate any risks and refrain from using fruitless programs, persevering and working through the kinks is key. Soon enough, remote work will be second nature to your firm and its employees. 

Choosing the Right Technology for Your Law Firm:

Deciding to make use of remote work one thing, discovering the right technology and software is another. The right software can ensure that tasks and employees are seamlessly managed while maintaining a high level of productivity. Here are some key aspects to be on the lookout for. 

Fosters Instant Communication 

From larger-scale firms to smaller teams, communication is extremely important for a remote work environment to thrive. The platform that you utilize should reflect this and allow for employees to easily send messages to one another and to their clients. This includes instant messaging and email. Ideally, users should be able to access their email and messaging application within the program. 

Secure Privacy and Data Storage

Data security and storage should be on the top of your list for technical specifications. As you and your employees will be working from home, all client data should simply be accessed from wherever you are. Not only this but it should be well-protected too. The last thing your firm needs is a breach of confidentiality. 

Tracks and Manages Tasks

Help you and your staff stay on top of their work duties by finding an application with task tracking. By providing a list of assignments, your staff will find it easier to stay focused and persevere. 

Allows for Easy Collaboration

Lastly, your chosen application should work with your team, not against it. Finding a platform that your team can access instantly, work with seamlessly, and foster a collaborative environment would be best. 

Some last tips

If you and your team are not used to working remotely, the following may help:

• Set clear expectations with your clients and staff.
• Create a routine and help your staff to do the same.
• Find a dedicated place to work from and help your staff do the same.
• Be more structured with your time than you usually would – plan out your day.
• Keep a pulse on staff productivity.
• Have regular breaks – get up and walk around!
• Use this lull in law business as a chance to get organized.

How Amberlo Can Help You:

During these trying times, Ambelo is here to help firms however we can. We understand the need to find a law software that can be customized to your firm’s unique needs and take it beyond Coronavirus. For this reason, we’ve made sure to develop a strong digital all-in-one tool that will assist you with working from home remotely. Whether you have an influx of questions or looking to get in touch, please contact us here. 

What You Need to Know About Data Security for Law Firms

Data security is a critical component of running a successful law firm. A firm is full of sensitive case information, records, and documents that require a strong safeguard against corruption and data loss. Failing to keep data secure is more than just a huge risk for you and your firm—it can also have incredibly negative consequences for your clients. Should any client information be corrupted, this can result in major data law complications. With this in mind, the need for an effective lawyer software is even more crucial in today’s digital age than ever. 

The reality of the digital world is that while it offers many benefits to the law industry, it also poses plenty of complications and threats. Poorly patched operating and network systems along with outdated firewalls can massively increase the risk of technical weak spots. When these weak spots occur, this opens up the opportunity for data hijacking. 

According to the American Bar Association, 23% of respondents in a recent cybersecurity report recorded that their firms experienced some form of technological breach. To ensure that your client’s information and intellectual property stays confidential, there are a number of tactics to deploy. With the right strategies, data compliance can easily be achievable. 

5 Ways to Protect Your Firm’s Data Security: 

Lockdown on Networks and Databases 

A lawyer’s database is perhaps one of their most significant assets. For this reason, organizations must secure all databases and networks from deliberate internal and external attacks to their cybersecurity. 

In terms of database security, firms are encouraged to defend all three levels of protection: database, access, and perimeter. At the database level, this will ensure that the actual data is protected. The access layer focuses on who can enter or control these systems whereas the perimeter level determines who can and cannot access these files. 

Some solutions include: 

• Firewalls
• Encryption
• Permission control
• Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

These solutions make up what we know as network security. Network security establishes a set of rules and configurations to protect the integrity of your firm’s data access. This will occur on both a computer network as well as software and hardware levels. 

Back-Up Documents 

Backing up important files is one of the first strategies any data law specialist will recommend. It’s easy to do and implement too. Backing up documents can either be done with a lawyer software or through cloud-based platforms. 

It’s recommended that one storage method is utilized and streamlined throughout the firm to ensure that client data is correctly stored. Gaps in your IT system can create unnecessary admin and liabilities, mainly data loss. Furthermore, when it comes to security updates, it’s easier to monitor one system rather than multiple systems. 

Encrypt All Files

It’s best practice to encrypt files on all working devices – computers, mobile phones, and tablets. Whether you’re working on a Windows or Mac system, both types of software offer simple encryption capabilities. 

The most common forms of encryption are:

• File and folder encryption – only specific items are encrypted with this method and isn’t recommended for larger firms.
• Volume – this creates a container of fully encrypted data. Only the documents that are saved in this container are encrypted. 
• Full-disk or whole-disk – all files and folders are encrypted. This is the most complete form of encryption and comes highly recommended. 

Secure VPN Access 

While logging into free wifi networks may be tempting, it can pose a huge threat to data security breaches. Setting up a VPN provides your firm with a secure connection where access is controlled. Being wary of the sites that you visit is important too. Sites that have an SSL accreditation are preferred as without it, your data can be open to potential hackings. 

Invest in a Case Management Software 

The truth is that cyber threats aren’t going anywhere but lawyer software is continuously growing and adapting to prevent these attacks from happening. If client confidentiality is high on your list, as it should be, entrusting in these legal softwares can be hugely beneficial. In many cases, it can help you by better protecting your data via streamlined processes (with less room for manual error), enhanced security infrastructure, backups, database safety, and file encryption. Moreover, legal technology can take your security even further while also improving your firm’s overall efficiency.

Learn More About Amberlo’s Data Security Features:

A lawyer software that ensures your cybersecurity bullet-proof is essential. Besides the fact that Amberlo is using the world’s most advanced cloud infrastructure provided by Amazon, it also has ISO 27001 Information Security Management and ISO 27017 Cloud Services Security certificates. As you may know,  these ISO certifications are all about information security. Learn more about Amberlo’s security here.

Learn more about how Amberlo can not only protect your data but also help you run an efficient law firm through many functions and features.  Send us an email at info@amberlo.io or have a look at our website www.amberlo.io for more.