Audit Now for the Future Cloud
In the not-too-distant future, everybody will be on the cloud just like they are on cell phones today.
According to one survey, 83 percent of enterprises will be on the cloud by 2020. That's about one "Star Trek" sequel from now.
In other words, resistance is futile because the cloud will cover the earth. Is your law firm ready?
Data in Flight
We're really talking about survival because many clients will precede law firms into the cloud. So whether you like it or not, you are going to have to go there too.
It's scary to some practitioners because, well, they're afraid of technology. But what should concern them is data security.
In the old days, like 2016, law firms had plans for data breaches. Most had firewalls, many used encryption, and some even got cyber insurance to protect data onsite.
Data in flight, which describes data moving across internet or cloud platforms, runs a higher risk. Moving data should be encrypted at the source, tech advisers say, and then decrypted at the destination.
Cloud Audits
Venkat Malladi, writing for Forbes, says the Internet of Everything introduces even more risk on the cloud. He said IoE is connecting about 5.5 million new devices each day, and will likely increase to 20 billion by 2020.
"Business enterprises need to monitor which network, users, third-party tools and devices are accessing the critical data in the public cloud environment," Malladi wrote.
By auditing network systems and web traffic, law firms can detect security-related flaws in their cloud infrastructure. In addition, he said, cloud providers can evaluate and certify current infrastructure for security practices.
So an audit now could save a lot of problems later. Like one tribble could turn into a lot of trouble.
Related Resources:
- Law Firms Are Potentially Vulnerable To Phishing Attacks (FindLaw's Technologist)
- 3 Important Tips for Advising Startups on Raising Capital (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Net Neutrality on the Horizon, or Not (FindLaw's Technologist)