Many legal firms continue to operate with legacy case management software that has long since stopped receiving security updates. While these tools might still feel reliable for managing daily workloads, the lack of patches creates a permanent and unmonitored entry point for data theft.

Criminals frequently scan for vulnerabilities in outdated SQL databases because these older structures often lack the robust defences found in modern applications. Exploiting these gaps requires very little effort from a hacker but provides them with complete access to sensitive client files and confidential case histories.

Securing your practice requires a proactive approach to your digital infrastructure. You can begin by following these steps:

• Audit every piece of technology against the official end of life schedule provided by the developer.
• If a vendor no longer supports a product, it is time to find a replacement to ensure continued safety.
• Ensure that all data is encrypted while at rest to provide an additional layer of protection if a breach occurs.
• Implement a strict zero trust policy for remote access to ensure every user and device is verified.
• Move sensitive documentation to a hardened cloud environment that requires multi factor authentication for every login.

Even when software remains functional for your daily workflow, it can be fundamentally broken from a security perspective.

Is your firm currently relying on any systems that have not been updated in over five years?