What clients ask about your IT security (and how to answer)

When a client asks "How safe are my files with you?", have an answer ready...

A few years ago, nobody asked their lawyer about IT. Now more clients do, especially corporate clients and anyone sharing contracts, IDs, or financial records. 

You don't need to be an IT expert to answer. You need to know seven things about your own office. Here they are, with what a good answer sounds like.

1. Where do client files live?

Good answer: "On our firm's managed cloud drive, not on personal laptops or flash drives."

Red flag: "Wherever the lawyer saved them."

2. Who can see a given client's file?

Good answer: "Only the lawyers and staff on that matter."

Red flag: "Everyone in the office can open everything."

3. Who can delete or change it?

Good answer: "Fewer people than can read it. Deleting is limited."

Red flag: "Anyone with access."

4. What happens if a laptop is lost or stolen?

Good answer: "It's encrypted and we can lock or wipe it remotely."

Red flag: "We'd probably just change the password."

5. Is there a backup, and has anyone tested it?

Good answer: "Yes, separate from the working files, and we've restored a file to check."

Red flag: "I think IT does that."

6. What happens when a staff member leaves?

Good answer: "Their access is removed the same day."

Red flag: "We'll get to it."

7. If something goes wrong, who do we call, and how fast do they respond?

Good answer: "A named provider with a response time we've agreed on."

Red flag: "Whoever's available."

# How did you do?

If you answered most of these with a red flag, you're in the same spot as most small firms we meet. None of this takes a big IT department. It's mostly setting things up properly once, then keeping an eye on them.

# Want a second pair of eyes?

Book a free consultation and we'll go through these seven questions with you for your firm, and tell you plainly where you stand.