Within the legal sector, there is a great concern with the increase and maintenance of employee productivity. Because of the characteristics inherent in the function and the legal market, this agenda has become increasingly relevant. The more intelligent and efficient the methods and strategies used, the greater the profits . For this reason, increasing productivity in law firms is a matter of extreme relevance to managers.
In this scenario, there is a constant search for tools and solutions that help increase employee productivity and ensure confidential data protection. The main objective, with regard to the law sector, is to ensure higher production in the shortest possible time , to increase the entry of fees and favor the success of the business.
With the work done through the internet, digital security also becomes a major concern for companies. Cyber attacks evolve every day, and small points of vulnerability can cause immense damage to a business , especially with data loss, information leaks and attacks that generate financial losses, such as ransomware .
Because it is an activity that is directly related to the amount of tasks that is performed, the lawyer must be constantly moving to ensure more profit and higher results , without the security of information being impaired in some way. Thus, the struggle of this professional is daily in order to ensure the execution of current demands and, in parallel, seek new opportunities to increase their income.
The importance of information security in law firms
Cybercrime has gained more and more space and causing immeasurable damage to companies of all segments. Regarding the needs of the law firm, especially after the general data protection law , there was a meteoric increase in the need to protect information and ensure the confidentiality of the data. In this sense, the use and manipulation of data on the Internet should be a concern and a priority for managers within the legal market.
According to data from January, Brazil had an increase of 37% in cyber attacks suffered by companies , only in the third quarter of 2022. In the world, growth was 28%, highlighting the vulnerability of national companies in digital security.
In order to understand the impact of information security within law firms, we need to understand how this concept applies within this market.
Information security consists of a strategy focused on data protection and management, avoiding theft, leakage and loss of confidential information , as well as damage to equipment, systems, networks and servers resulting from cyber attacks. A valuable ally of information security strategy is the creation of an internet use policy. Do you know how it works? Check out this video on the subject:
This means that this set of measures helps to provide active combat against digital threats. Within a law firm, information that is stored may contain strategic or confidential data from customers , and your exposure can represent a great damage to the business.
The risks of confidential information exposure
As mentioned above, data exposure stored by a law firm can cause various problems for the lawyer and his client . The general data protection law brings in its article 46 that:
"Treatment agents should adopt security, techniques and administrative measures able to protect personal data from unauthorized access and accidental or illicit situations from destruction, loss, alteration, communication or any form of inadequate or illicit treatment."
Because of this article and other legal provisions, law firms need to keep in mind that safe and intelligent risk management should be implemented. In addition to this strategy, some security measures should also be adopted that help identify, avoid and eliminate possible vulnerability points that may favor the exposure of your information.
The Code of Ethics of the Brazilian Bar Association states that it is the lawyer's obligation to keep confidential about the information and facts that are informed of him during the exercise of his profession. This means that the data provided by their customers should be protected above all, avoiding leaks and data losses that, in addition to harming the proceeds of the processes, may also favor blows and extortion attempts.
Another major damage to law firms that do not have good information security management lies in the fact that possible failures, leaks, theft and data losses have a huge impact on the office image on the market . This may end up impairing the continuity of its activities and the success of the company.
Cyber attacks directed at a law firm are not new and increase considerably every year. Data violation in this business segment usually brings many profits to cybercriminals , so that this type of business is always among the most attacked.
With the advancement of technology, law firms have also become more dependent on technological resources , so that much of the information needed for customer service is stored on devices such as computers and smartphones. Although this technology helps to streamline processes, it also increases the risk of information exposure.
Because of the sensitivity of information that is exchanged and stored by lawyers, cybercriminals seek to obtain this information illicitly to make leaks , extortion attempts and request a ransomware attacks, which happens.
The best security practices for law firms
Given all these problems that can be caused by the leakage of information , it is extremely needed to adopt strategies that help increase security within law firms. For this, we brought some practices that can contribute to the maintenance of the confidentiality of the stored data:
Information Security Policies
The information security policy consists of a document that brings practices, rules and measures aimed at ensuring the protection of data and systems of a business. Within a law firm, it needs to include which measures should be followed by employees to deal with confidential information, which types of access can be performed, rules for protecting mobile devices and an emergency protocol if there is any leakage or cyber attack.
The main purpose of this document is to minimize the risks, losses and violations related to a company's technology. Through it, managers are able to protect the information by meeting all current legislation and ensuring more security for customers.
Training for employees
There is no point in having an information security policy if employees are not prepared for these new practices. It is essential that there is a training process that helps all employees understand the importance of data protection and how certain attitudes can harm the business.
Training employees from different areas within the law firm, it is possible to bring more protection and avoid several problems that impair the progress of activities .
Use of security software
Antivirus and firewalls are essential to maintain the security of data stored and the devices and systems used by the company. There are several solutions on the market, each with its own specific characteristics. For this reason it is important that prior research be done in order to determine the best resource to meet the needs of the company .
These tools help detect possible threats and can block them before they cause some real damage to the business.
Data access management
Although the internet is essential for many activities done within a law firm, it also has resources that impair employee productivity and increase the vulnerability of company information and information networks.
Access control helps to ensure that only essential resources will be available for everyday activities and helps prevent unauthorized individuals from having access to all resources. Access control is important to prevent confidential information from being accessed by unauthorized persons , reducing the chances of leakage.
The relationship between information security and productivity of employees
As we have seen, ensuring the safety of a company's digital resources is essential to avoid leaks and the application of cyber scams . However, productivity can also be greatly impacted by a lack of strategy focused on information security.
When focusing on information security, the company can also contribute to increasing productivity . This happens thanks to some factors, such as:
No stops for maintenance
Some viruses and malware present on the market that are widely used by cybercriminals can impair the proper functioning of the devices used within the company. If these devices are unavailable, the progress of activities is impaired and, consequently, the company may not be able to meet the deadlines and demands.
Avoiding this kind of threat, managers can keep all devices with a proper functioning and contribute to good productivity from all employees. Investing in information security helps ensure good computers and employee performance.
Increases focus on activities
Blocking certain features, access and unnecessary tools used during working hours, not only contributes to data security. Through strategies, employees can stay more focused on what is really important to office strategy and bring better and better results.
Examples of practices that can increase productivity without compromising information security
If your goal is to increase employee productivity within the law firms, check out some tips we have prepared that will help you achieve your goals without harming the company's information security:
Improve the organizational climate
The environment where employees perform their activities should be suitable for the activities to be performed with peace of mind. This means that, in addition to all the necessary infrastructure so that they can work with comfort and safety, the company also needs to ensure that this team is motivated and accompanied as best as possible .
Performing research between employees helps identify possible improvement points and contributes to the implementation of measures aimed at climate optimization in the organizational environment.
Focus on People Management
We know that within a law firm charges can be numerous and employees often feel pressured to achieve results at all costs.
To avoid problems and help employees get better involved with the company's goals and demands, you can invest in smarter people management practices that will help tracking employees and help them achieve their goals. A good example of this is constant and dynamic feedback.
Invest in automation
There are many processes that can be improved through technological resources and can enable you to increase productivity within the law firm.
Many activities that are part of the routine can be performed automatically, releasing employees for more important tasks and avoiding overload . Process automation can be a valuable ally and help your business achieve the success you want so much.
Strengthen communication
Many problems that happen within companies are caused by the communication problem between managers and employees. Investing in quality communication helps increase productivity and reduce the incidence of errors.
The exchange of information within the company must be clear and transparent and employees should feel free to clarify their questions and seek information from their managers.
Conclusion
Throughout this article, we could understand that increasing productivity and protecting confidential data within your law firm can be simpler than you. It is very important for the company to adopt efficient security measures to avoid leaks , theft and improper use of the information stored by the office.
In addition, these measures can also contribute to increased productivity and, consequently, the results of the business. Thus, it is a strategy that delivers numerous advantages to business that want to stay competitive in the market.
In a reality where competitiveness is so fierce, all resources that allow substantial growth to be considered. Lumiun has several tools that can help you ensure more efficient management of accesses done within the company.
Through our resources, your office can establish more assertive access control, increase productivity and contribute to the security of information within the company.
Until later!
