Information Governance Minimizes the Risk of a Data Breach

Integrated email security, email and document management processes are vital to information governance, which forms the crux of firms' overall security strategy.

Given the frequency of media mentions about cyberattacks, security breaches might soon begin to lose their news value. But with many security professionals acknowledging the likelihood of a security breach is near inevitable, organizations can’t lose sight of minimizing the impact when it does.

Start with Email Security

From a data security standpoint, email is the critical first layer. Many firms are already deploying best-of-breed email security solutions to prevent malware and rogue email scams infiltrating the network. Email security systems not only help establish best practices around people and processes, but also ensure the technology steps in to protect the data and the organization in the event of a human error.

The Core Layer: A Tightly Bolted Down Email and Document Management System

Cyber criminals are often upgrading their arsenal faster than most organizations. However, an email and document management system can prevent hackers from gaining access to business-critical information should they break into a firm's network. Unfortunately, not all firms deploy such solutions – and in failing to do so, invalidate any security measures they may be taking to protect their organization and its data.

Best-of-breed email and document management solutions help by managing both data storage and access. Information is shared via links – so even if criminals gain access to those links, the security applied at electronic file, sub folder, individual document and email level will prevent them from gaining access the documents. File encryption – based on a set of rules for critical data (including client information, business area, employee information and such) – adds an additional level of security which is especially pertinent for complying with data protection regulations.

No One’s Immune – Not Even Law Firms

QBE, a UK firm that insures more than 1 in 10 law firms in England and Wales, reports data theft across the legal market to be approximately £85m in the past 18 months. While comparable Canadian statistics are yet unavailable, it’s easy to assume Canadian legal firms are facing similar challenges.

Tomorrow’s technology is shaping business today. To learn more about how MNP can help you improve your information governance initiatives, contact John Desborough, Director Consulting and Technology Solutions at [email protected]