Learn How You Can Strengthen Your Law Firm’s Passwords
Are you letting passwords give you a false sense of security?
If they’re the only measure of defense you have protecting the legal data stored on your work computer, then you’re at risk.
You, like many other lawyers and legal offices, may think that passwords will keep you safe. They’re the most common form of cybersecurity, with over 90% of surveyed lawyers in the ABA Legal Technology Survey Report stating that they password-protected their laptops and computers.
However, consider the fact on a regular basis, large caches of logins and passwords are discovered for sale online. Most recently, 773 million emails and 21 million passwords were posted for sale on the dark web.
Do you still believe that passwords will keep you safe?
Where Do Cybercriminals Get Your Passwords?
When cybercriminals want to buy or sell private data, they go to the Dark Web.
The Dark Web is a small part of the much larger “deep web” – the common name for an extensive collection of websites that aren’t accessible through normal Internet browsers. These websites are hidden from the everyday Internet — or Clearnet — users through the use of overlay networks.
If you use the same old passwords and repeat them across accounts, the process for using them against you is simpler than you might think:
- One of the dozens of accounts you use is breached
- Your account information (including the password, which is the same as the one you use on other accounts) is posted for sale on the Dark Web.
- A cybercriminal buys that info and uses the password to access other accounts you own.
How Can You Enhance Your Firm’s Password Security Practices?
With two-factor authentication (2FA).
2FA helps you protect your identity and accounts. More and more organizations are using it for its security and ease-of-use. 2FA requires the user to utilize two methods to confirm that they are the rightful account owner. Biometrics like fingerprints, voice, or even iris scans are also options, as are physical objects like keycards.
You’ve probably already used 2FA. For example, when you go to the ATM to deposit or withdraw money, you swipe your bank card and enter your PIN.
It’s the same idea when you go online to your bank account. You sign in with your ID and enter a passcode, but there’s one more step. A one-time code is sent to you via text message on your mobile phone or in an email. Once you enter this code on the bank’s website, you can get into your account.
By requiring a second piece of information like a randomly-generated numerical code sent by text message, you’re better able to ensure that the person using your employee’s login credentials is actually who they say they are.
Need Assistance Deploying 2FA For Your Law Firm?
If you’re still worried about your password security, especially when it comes to policies in place at your business, then don’t try to handle it all on your own. The Pulse Technology team will help you evaluate your password practices and security measures as a whole to make sure you’re taking on any unnecessary risks.
Privacy and security are major concerns for personal users and businesses alike these days, and so you have to be sure that you aren’t making it easy for hackers to access you or your business’ private data.
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Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), IT Service Management, Team Building, IT Strategy, and Management. Strong entrepreneurship professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) focused in Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management from Humboldt University of Berlin (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin).
