Success, as it is, is a very broad and subjective term. However, one may outline the boundaries that define successful law firms.
What defines a successful law office?
It can be an impeccable track record of obtaining results for the clients, being the distinctive market standout in a 
particular niche, or a glowing reputation of handling clients in the most courteous and professional manner.
This is where information technology (I.T.) comes in. As Bill Gates puts it:
“Information technology and business are becoming inextricably interwoven. I don’t think anybody can talk meaningfully about one without talking about the other.”
Devoid of advanced I.T., a law firm cannot expect to survive in this digital era, much less prosper and grow. The security and swiftness warranted by an updated I.T. infrastructure enables your law practice to provide clients with the necessary security and confidentiality assurances while also propelling your firm to scale and thrive.
Why Law Practices Need Great I.T.
I.T.-related disasters have emerged as the biggest threats to law firms in recent times. There has been a dramatic rise in the number of I.T. incidents that have destroyed entire law firms, from major data breaches that have shut down entire systems, natural disasters that physically destroyed data, and well-aimed cyberattacks that threatened the future viability of a law practice.
In fact, IBM estimates that data breaches cost law practices around the globe approximately $3.9 million per year.
What Does Great I.T. Look Like?
What are the components of a great I.T. infrastructure for a law practice?
This article will look into the I.T. aspects that are the hallmark of successful law firms.
A Secure Backbone of the Business
The legal industry is a data-intensive business, and with tons (rather, gigabytes) of data being poured over the network on a daily basis, it is easy to forget what is happening behind the scenes. Your servers and networks are what facilitate your business processes—from web hosting to data processing.
Leaving your backbone open to potential threats and system vulnerabilities is not only naïve but means risking your entire practice. Past performance does not warrant future feasibility, and given the high stakes, is your law practice able to gamble on the I.T. security you have in place?
Advanced I.T. solutions are not merely for large law practices, as the overwhelming demand for better technology services for smaller firms has resulted in an entire MSP industry taking care of local and regional firms. The business of providing access to robust and innovative technological solutions ensures your servers function 24/7 and your networking remains secure—without causing a budgetary restraint.
Maximum Data Protection Throughout the Firm
According to an industry-wide survey, 80% of the largest law firms in the United States have experienced a data breach in the last few years. The terabytes of confidential data that resides in your firm’s digital vaults is a treasure waiting to be looted by criminals.
When drafting up your security protocols, you cannot afford to cut corners. Cybersecurity is more than just an investment into your practice; it is a necessity to preserve the sacredness of the client confidentiality that drives the industry.
And your security doesn’t only extend to on-site devices and databases, but to every database and device that is used
to communicate, store, and send confidential data. As the culture of “bring your own device” (BYOD) extends into the legal industry, every smartphone is a valued asset—for both you and the cybercriminals seeking to steal your data.
No law firm can claim to be successful unless it can ably safeguard client data. For an industry that prides itself on tradition, lawyers are inherently responsible for guaranteeing the security of confidential information, and any mishap that could be traced back to a firm’s negligence can do irreversible harm to their reputation.
If there is one thing successful law firms always do right, it is their duty towards their clients. They understand that they need to enact a foolproof security plan that covers everything from the regulation of mobile applications to encryption of confidential data.
Streamlined Storage Options
As the world shifts towards a digital economy, no organization can afford to lag behind, much less so in a fiercely competitive arena like the legal industry. Lawyers require immediate and remote access to data, alongside real-time updates and collaboration alternatives.
As cases become more diverse, and on-site storage solutions prove to be outdated in the face of emerging services like remote data access, successful law firms have wholly embraced the idea of cloud storage and cloud computing. Not only is it efficient, but the scalability and collaboration capability offered by the cloud is unparalleled.
In addition to being more accessible, cloud storage offers enterprise-grade security, which is a massive plus for security-conscious law practices.
The best part is, law practices don’t have to invest in finding the technical brains necessary to build a cloud computing structure. As law firms begin to modernize their practices to survive the digital world, there has been a growth in the number of cloud computing service providers that work in tandem with small and medium-sized law firms.
Conclusion
A successful law firm is able to tackle the changing ways of the profession without letting go of the values that define
the legal industry. Integrating advanced I.T. solutions offer the legal industry a path to achieve their goals.
As one of the leading I.T. security providers in the world, JMARK provides law firms with modern I.T. solutions that assist them in scaling upwards. If you wish to learn more about how I.T. solutions can assist your law firm in achieving success on the digital frontier, contact us now. Call us at 844-44-JMARK or type us an email!
