A short guide for law firm leaders

Law firms are operating under higher expectations around how data, systems and risk are managed.

Most firms can describe what is in place.
Fewer can say, with confidence, how well those areas are controlled, tested and reviewed.

These questions often only come into focus when something tests them.

A disruption.
A client request.
An insurer request.
A need to explain how risk is being managed.

That is when it becomes clear whether cyber security is properly understood, or simply assumed.

Backups and recovery

→ You should be confident that the firm can recover work fully and reliably if something goes wrong.

Not simply that backups exist, but that recovery is complete, tested and understood.

Access to data

→ You should be confident that access to sensitive information is controlled and regularly reviewed.

Not simply who has access today, but how that access is updated, reduced and removed over time.

Incident response

→ You should be confident that the firm would remain in control under pressure.

Not simply that a plan exists, but that roles are clear and decisions can be made quickly.

Security and risk

→ You should be confident that risk is understood and actively managed.

Not simply which tools are in place, but whether risk is assessed, reviewed and kept under control.

Continuity of work

→ You should be confident that the firm could continue operating if key systems were unavailable.

Not simply that continuity plans exist, but that they reflect how the firm actually works today.

Ownership and accountability

→ You should be confident that there is clear ownership of IT and risk at a senior level.

Not simply who provides IT support, but who carries responsibility and oversight.

Most of these areas are not about systems alone

They are about how well those systems are understood, controlled and owned.

Most firms have answers to these questions.
The difference is whether those answers are based on assumption or clear assurance.

If any of this feels uncertain, that is usually where attention is needed.

This is why cyber governance is increasingly a leadership issue, not just an IT issue. The UK Cyber Governance Code of Practice also makes clear that accountability for cyber risk sits at a senior level.

If useful, we can sense-check how these areas are currently handled.

No pitch. No pressure.