Australian law firms face a growing risk from cyber threats, and many remain unaware of the extent of their exposure. With confidential client information, financial data, and legal documentation at stake, even a minor incident can result in significant reputational harm and business disruption.
Below are five critical cybersecurity gaps impacting Australian legal practices today—and how IT leaders can proactively address them.
🔓 1. Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Despite its effectiveness, multi-factor authentication (MFA) remains underutilised—only 34% of medium-sized firms and just 27% of small firms in Australia have rolled it out across their environments. This oversight leaves email platforms, document repositories, and practice management systems exposed to credential compromise and brute-force attack.
Fix it: Enable MFA across all cloud platforms—prioritising email, document sharing, and remote access solutions. For robust protection, deploy app-based authenticators such as Microsoft Authenticator.
🧠 2. Insufficient Staff Training on Cyber Threats
Phishing continues to pose the greatest risk, with 81% of Australian law firms targeted over the past year—a 14% increase from the previous period. Despite this surge, 18% of firms acknowledge they are not sufficiently protected against cyberattacks, and a further 26% remain uncertain about the effectiveness of their existing safeguards.
Fix it: Schedule quarterly cybersecurity awareness sessions for all staff, incorporating simulated phishing exercises to assess and strengthen your team's ability to identify threats. Make cyber hygiene a standard element of new employee onboarding.
🗂️ 3. Poor Email Hygiene and Data Retention Practices
Many firms continue to retain emails and client files indefinitely, resulting in data repositories that are challenging to secure. The Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee (LPLC) advises law firms to review client files biennially and implement structured data deletion policies to reduce the risk of exposure.
Fix it: Implement email retention and deletion policies that align with legal and regulatory frameworks. Utilise automated archiving and secure disposal tools to manage inboxes and minimise exposure.
🧱 4. Fragmented IT Infrastructure and Cloud Usage
Australian firms leverage platforms like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft 365 to support document sharing. However, relying on multiple, disconnected cloud solutions often leads to fragmented data storage and inconsistent security controls. This makes it more challenging for IT leaders to monitor user activity, enforce compliance policies, and respond to security incidents.
Fix it: Consolidate cloud platforms wherever feasible. Implement centralised identity management solutions, such as Azure AD, to streamline user access and enforce uniform security policies.
🧯 5. No Cyber Incident Response Plan
Data reveals that 34% of firms lack a formal cyber incident response plan, while a further 31% operate with incomplete measures. In the absence of a plan, IT teams are left unprepared in the event of a breach.
Fix it: Develop a cyber incident response plan tailored to your firm’s structure and technology, with clearly defined team roles, escalation paths, and communication protocols. Schedule annual tabletop exercises to test and refine your plan.
✅ Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is not just an IT concern—it is fundamental to a law firm’s reputation and client trust. Addressing these five gaps allows Australian legal practices to strengthen resilience and safeguard sensitive information.
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