Security is one of the top concerns for most law firms, especially those which deal with large cases or protect corporations. The reality of this day and age is that much of the evidence brought up in legal cases is digital, and that data has to be protected. Even non-digital evidence needs to be indexed for future use. Physical files aren’t secure enough to be used for this sensitive information. It’s far too likely that they will become damaged or get lost, which is a problem law firms simply cannot afford to have. It is wise for law firms and private practitioners to move their data to the cloud.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is the practice of using a remote Internet server instead of a local server or a personal computer to store, manage, and process data. While the idea of it may seem foreign at first, it is actually likely your firm or practice already employs the cloud for daily tasks.
Often times, files on private servers are too large to be sent by email. They are instead sent as Google drive attachments, or with Dropbox or OneDrive links. All of these services are, in fact, cloud platforms. And they’re safer than you may think.
Cloud technology has measures in place to keep your data safe.
Encryption and security in the cloud
According to Security Week, when it comes to protecting data in the cloud, encryption is considered the most effective. Encryption not only makes the file easier to store, but it also makes it harder to access by a potential intruder. Medium defines encryption as a process that encodes a message or file so that it can be only be read by certain people who have an access key. Before a piece of encrypted data is unscrambled, it’s completely unreadable and is referred to as ciphertext. After being unlocked, the message is translated back into plaintext.
Rudimentary encryption can be as simple as switching out certain letters for others and render a sentence or even a word unreadable. For example, if you were to switch out every vowel for the character “@” and every “s” for the letter “c,” the word “biologist” would be encrypted as “b@@l@g@ct.”
Cryptography has since developed into a more complex practice. Medium reports that computer algorithms have more or less replaced mechanical encryption in recent years, making codes even harder to crack. Keys, or passwords, are generated using random number generators or computer algorithms with similar functions. Modern systems sometimes generate a fresh key for every single session to add another layer of security.
Because of the constant development of cryptography and encryption styles, data is as safe in the cloud as it would be under lock and key, if not safer. Thanks to dedicated professionals in the cybersecurity industry, you don’t have to fear cloud technology.
Accessibility of files
Security and accessibility go hand in hand. Having files uploaded to a protected cloud platform makes it possible to access case files from anywhere at any time. Lawyers no longer need to spend every second of their time in the office, and will be able to work from the road, while traveling or from home. Increased accessibility to work materials leads directly to increased productivity.
Choosing a provider
Afinety is the best choice for law firms and private practices looking to migrate their files to the cloud. Not only is our platform secure, but it was also designed specifically for lawyers, and is optimized to run a variety of apps. To learn more about cybersecurity and other IT options and services offered by Afinety, browse our website, or get in touch today.