Cloud computing technology has provided businesses with versatility, mobility, security, and potent techniques to maneuver the data. Although it is cheap, some people are actually concerned about privacy and data security. Especially lawyers because they are responsible for clients’ sensitive case information. Therefore, they need to be extremely cautious about deploying the data related to clients in the clouds.
If you study cloud computing, you will discover that it is safe for lawyers and even general public. Some features of cloud services are compelling, economical and time-saving therefore every law firm should consider it.
How clouds work?
‘Cloud’ means a particular physical server, where the provider stores and processes your vague data. You just have to remember the provider’s online address and your access credentials. Some inputs go in and some outputs come out of the clouds.
Cloud computing benefits
- Access necessary data anytime and from anywhere with broadband connection
- No need to upgrade or troubleshoot any software, besides your usual browser
- No need to pay significantly for upgrades and desktop apps
- Attain low subscription or free cloud services
- Data storage can be subcontracted to professionals
- Cloud even provides frequent or regular backup solution
- Unparalleled data crunching and search capabilities are available
- Backup services in the clouds automatically keep the past data versions in a smart way
- Clouds can hold and protect the data within a definite jurisdiction
- Part of data can be shared easily with selected associates or clients
- Cloud allows you to tap in social networks
Lawyers have unique duties because they are voices of legal profession. They are worried about cloud computing technologies two attributes.
- You lose control due to the physical location of the data
- Your data is exposed digitally, therefore it is at a great risk of getting stolen, hacked, spied or experience virus attack
Critics presume that storing apps and data onsite is a safe alternative, but it is perhaps the biggest erroneous belief. Let’s review some cloud computing issues and its solution.
Security is the biggest concern. Passwords to access data stored in clouds and the information itself can be at risk. There are 3 challenges –
- Hackers are capable to intercept the passwords, when it is conveyed to cloud provider. SOLUTION – Select providers that also encrypt transmitted passwords
- Hackers can even pinch passwords from the provider’s password database.
SOLUTION – All data has to be encrypted from your end prior transmitting it to the clouds. Thus stolen passwords will provide crooks an access to indecipherable bundle of information
- Hackers can lift data from cloud or seize it during transmit.
SOLUTION – Strong encryption makes your data impervious to hackers
Encryption is the key
Remember with encryption, you obtain power and freedom. Number one rule is not to share encryption key with anyone, even your cloud provider. IT support law firms offers you data layering services to enhance the archiving of overall old data by reducing its size. Thus recovery of mission-critical information becomes more reachable and affordable.
Legal practices can employ considerable benefits by transferring certain key apps on the clouds including unified communication and data management. This will shrink the cost barriers, skilled resources and mitigate their risk. Thus plan a strategy that overcomes the digital risk to the legacy systems as well as allow their business processes get strong and operate smoothly.