Do you have a Response Plan for dealing with a cyber incident at your law practice?

Without one, you’ll be reacting – perhaps anxiously and frantically – when trouble strikes– rather than responding.

One essential part of the plan is to obtain and maintain cyber liability insurance coverage.

Another key aspect: training your team in best practices for cybersecurity, such as getting a second opinion before clicking on a suspicious email.

“Cyber criminals recognize that formerly in the ‘old days’ of office working, employees could easily ask a colleague for a second pair of eyes on a suspicious email or link,” according to this article in The Economist. “However, now employees are far more independent about trusting their own instincts, which will inevitably lead to some lapses in judgment.”

The Alta Pro Risk Purchasing Group keeps you current on cybersecurity issues. The RPG offers lots of benefits, including Reminger ProLink claims repair, discounts on Clio software products, Ask the Risk Pro, free CLE webinars, the Pro Practice Playbook, and more. Here’s how to join.

Tips from a Cyber Incident Advisor

The attorneys at O’Hagan Meyer offer a wide range of cyber liability services for their clients, including lawyers and firms. They act as Breach/Incident Advisors for private companies, not-for-profits, and professional service firms throughout the country.

“In a digital world, maintaining control of privacy and confidential data is paramount,” says the O’Hagan Meyer website. “But as technology continues to grow and expand, so does the world of cyber-crime. As more personal information is being transferred to online portals, the risk of digital theft becomes increasingly more prevalent. When your personal information falls into the hands of a stranger, it can be harmful to not only the clients you serve, but also your personal or professional reputation. In the event of this type of security breach, where can you turn?”

A Breach/Incident Advisor does some or all of the following:

• Determines whether the data compromised by a security breach contained personal information as defined by state security breach laws;
• Creates an efficient and effective incident response plan to notify the proper parties as required by state and federal law;
• Evaluates and mitigates damages resulting from the data breach
• Counsels clients on ethical implications, reputation-management, and the subsequent risks following any data breach.
• Assembles an experienced  team of cyber liability legal professionals to help resolve the matter.
• Works with a variety of experts and vendors to facilitate crisis management, including the following: Public Relations firms; Information Technology Consultants; Forensic Accountants; Credit Monitoring Services
• Counsels on remedial action and recuperation of losses

If you practice in Wisconsin, Texas, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana or Michigan, you can stay on top of ethics and risk management news by being a member of Alta Pro Lawyers RPG. You’ll get access to free webinars, the Pro Practice Playbook, Reminger ProLink, Ask the Risk Pro and more. Here’s how to join.