Maximizing the Advantages of Cloud Computing

As a law firm with the legal and ethical obligation to preserve the security and confidentiality of your client’s information, how can you maximize the advantages of cloud security?

This question can be seen as something connected to the inherent concern of many lawyers and law firms that pertain to the security of cloud computing.  In fact, many are questioning if cloud computing is natively secure.  Let’s take a look.

Security Advantages

Before we can maximize the security advantages presented by cloud computing, we must first teach ourselves the idea that system security is no longer a concept of physical control over the device.  The OSI Model actual delivers several layers of visibility that helps improve system security.

Embracing the fact that cloud computing is natively secured can be difficult especially in a field where many of its practitioners are considered old-fashioned or traditional.  If the more veteran systems administrators face challenges in accepting the security advantages of cloud computing, what more for lawyers who are more inclined to using pencil and paper solutions?

To appreciate the security advantages provided by cloud computing, you need to examine it against the security protocols provided by on-site systems.  Using the security perspective, the scalability and deployment of cloud systems that include security as built-in features is one of its biggest advantages.  Law firms can maximize this advantage by integrating the native security features with what they are currently using.

The built-in security includes access control and the implementation of Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) as part of network segmentation.  This allows every VPC to be monitored and managed based on the level of sensitivity of the data stored.  Can we expect more security measures to be implemented soon?

This cannot be discounted especially when you take into account the exponentially growing cloud innovations being introduced in the field of security technology.  These options go beyond the normal encryption, file integrity management, virus protection, vulnerability testing, intrusion detection, firewalls, identity and access management, and log analysis implemented in traditional systems.

Law firms should be more focused on how to get their people aware of the need for care and feeding of the security technology solutions to make them effective for them and maximize its potentials.

Security Threats

Are there threats to cloud security?  Of course!  But quality Cloud Computing providers can frustrate hackers with secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) and Encryption at Rest features, among others.   The important thing is to be aware of them and identify them so that the technology can be built to provide options to defend against these threats.

Inclusion and integration of systems developed from the ground up with those of the cloud provider’s infrastructures is a must in order to mitigate security threats and vulnerabilities.  The better law firms understand this responsibility, the easier it becomes to address the threat and achieve collaboration between the security requirements of the law firm and what the cloud provider can deliver.

Maximizing Advantages

Where do you begin to maximize the advantages of cloud computing?  The most basic can begin with the ability to leverage the built-in security features from the cloud provider.  This can be achieved through the proper education and training of all office staff (including lawyers) to ensure that what the law firm needs and what the provider can deliver meets.

An educated and well trained staff can ensure that proper security protocols are followed.  As professionals, it should not be difficult to solicit commitments to education especially when the future of the law firm depends on how the cloud infrastructure works and the best security practices that must be observed.

Cloud security providers must be able to provide sound advice on how IT staff should be refocused to achieve the firm’s goals.  Such providers will deliver the added value of efficiency and peace of mind.

Contact NexStep to get the benefits of cloud computing for storing data and data management and let lawyers focus on their law practice.