Client data confidentiality
Privileged information stored across email, document management systems and personal devices, often without the access controls or encryption that clients now expect.
Why cyber security matters for UK law firms
Law firms hold privileged communications, financial records, deal documents, witness statements and personal data on behalf of clients across every sector. That concentration makes legal practices a high-value target for cybercriminals, and a sector where a single breach can end client relationships built over decades.
Three things are driving the change:
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) expects firms to manage cyber risk as part of their wider risk management duties under the SRA Code of Conduct.
- Lexcel and Law Society practice notes set sector expectations on information security and client confidentiality that go beyond basic GDPR compliance.
- Corporate and public-sector clients increasingly require Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus as a condition of instruction; cyber insurance underwriters now treat baseline certifications as the floor of acceptable security, not the ceiling.
Forensic Control works with law firms to meet these requirements without disrupting how the practice operates. We assess what you have, identify what is missing, and help you put the right controls in place.
Common cyber security challenges in legal practice
Every law firm is different, but the gaps we find during assessments tend to cluster around the same six issues.
Inconsistent MFA
Multi-factor authentication enabled for some users or some systems, but not universally enforced. A common reason firms fail their first Cyber Essentials assessment.
Unmanaged cloud services
Practice management, document storage and case management increasingly run in the cloud, but security configuration is often left to default settings.
Conveyancing and counsel fraud
Fake supplier emails, impersonated counsel and intercepted completion payments remain the most common attack routes against UK firms.
Client and insurer requirements
Tender questionnaires, panel applications and insurance renewals increasingly require evidence of Cyber Essentials or equivalent certification.
eDiscovery readiness
When disputes arise, firms need to preserve, search and produce electronic evidence defensibly. Most internal IT teams are not set up for this.
Meeting SRA and client expectations through Cyber Essentials
For most law firms, Cyber Essentials is the most efficient way to demonstrate the baseline security controls that the SRA, clients, panel managers and cyber insurers now expect. It is the UK government-backed certification, recognised across procurement and underwriting, and it puts the fundamental controls in place without requiring an enterprise security programme.
Forensic Control is an authorised IASME Certification Body, not a reseller. We have been delivering Cyber Essentials since 2017, and we work with law firms to make the certification process straightforward:
- Cyber Essentials (Basic). Self-assessment with expert review. Suitable for smaller practices.
- Cyber Essentials Plus. Independent technical audit including vulnerability scanning at no extra cost. Often required for corporate or public-sector panel work.
- Cyber Essentials Duo. Basic and Plus combined at a single price point. Our most popular option for established firms.
We have certified firms from sole practitioners to mid-sized practices. The process is the same: clear, supportive, and led by people who understand both the technology and the regulatory context.
Wider services for UK law firms
Beyond Cyber Essentials, we support legal practices across the full security and eDiscovery lifecycle.
eDiscovery for litigation and disputes
Forensic collection, processing and review of electronic evidence for litigation and internal investigations. Led by Greg Deane.
Penetration testing
Independent technical testing of your systems, applications and infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do.
Vulnerability scanning
Continuous monitoring of your environment for known vulnerabilities, with prioritised remediation guidance.
Incident response
When something goes wrong, we help you contain, investigate and recover, drawing on investigative experience from the Metropolitan Police Hi-Tech Crime Unit.
"Solid forensic skills and well written expert report for use in litigation. Good response time and reasonable fees. Would recommend."
Damian McPhun
Principal and Founder, Edesia Law
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers to the questions law firms ask us most often.
Do law firms need Cyber Essentials?
Does Cyber Essentials cover the SRA cyber security expectations?
How does Cyber Essentials relate to Lexcel and Law Society practice notes?
We use cloud-based practice management software. Does that affect our Cyber Essentials scope?
How do we manage conveyancing and counsel impersonation fraud?
What is eDiscovery and when do law firms need it?
Can you advise on cyber clauses in client engagement letters and outsourcing contracts?
What happens if our firm experiences a cyber incident?
Speak to a specialist about cyber security for your firm
Whether you are preparing for your first Cyber Essentials assessment, responding to a client security questionnaire, or recovering from an incident, we can help. Book a short call to talk through where you are and what you need.
