In 2025, law firms are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals. Law firms are a treasure trove of confidential information, from client records to financial documents, so it makes sense that cybersecurity threats are on the rise. For legal professionals in Raleigh, North Carolina, the risks are more than theoretical, and without the proper protections in place, firms could face severe reputational damage, lawsuits, and fines. In order to help you evaluate your firm’s IT defenses, here are the top five cybersecurity threats facing law firms today and how to protect your firm with the right cybersecurity services.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks are still one of the most common methods that cybercriminals use to breach law firm systems. These emails can appear legitimate, often impersonating colleagues, clients or other legal professionals to trick staff into clicking malicious links or providing their credentials.
Solution: Invest in email security filters, phishing awareness training, and managed IT services to monitor suspicious activity. Firms should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all systems.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts your files and demands payment to unlock them. For law firms, downtime and data loss could jeopardize ongoing cases or breach client confidentiality agreements.
Solution: Protect yourself with offsite backups, endpoint protection and penetration testing. Raleigh firms should also consider creating a response plan tailored to their unique workflows.
Unsecured Remote Access
With many attorneys and legal staff working remote or away from the office, unsecured Wi-Fi networks and personal devices pose major risks. A single compromised laptop could expose sensitive client data, which could cost you the case.
Solution: Enforce a secure remote access policy using data encryption and centralized access management. A local IT support provider can help ensure compliance with these protocols.
Insider Threats
Whether malicious or accidental, insider threats can often go unnoticed. A disgruntled employee, an intern with too much access or even a well-meaning paralegal can expose firm data to cybercriminals.
Solution: Conduct regular access audits and implement role-based permissions. Combine this with legal-specific cybersecurity awareness training to reduce human error within your staff.
Outdated Systems and Weak Passwords
Many law firms still rely on outdated software and use generic passwords, which are easy targets for automated hacking tools. These legacy systems can often lack critical security patches.
Solution: Schedule routine system updates, enforce strong password policies and perform penetration tests to uncover vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do. A cybersecurity provider can help you create a customized plan to modernize your systems without disrupting casework.
Do Not Wait for a Data Breach
For Raleigh-area law firms, cybersecurity is no longer optional, it is critical to your firm’s success. With client trust, sensitive data and your reputation on the line, now is the time to partner with a provider that understands the unique needs of the legal industry.
At Progressive Computer Systems, we understand that in the legal world, everything revolves around billable hours. Struggling to set up security protections can be time-consuming and distracting—taking valuable time away from the work that truly matters. We specialize in cybersecurity services for law firms, offering robust protections to defend against data breaches and cyber threats that could compromise client confidentiality. Contact us today to discover how our experts can keep your law office secure.
