1. Law Firms as Prime Targets for Cyberattacks
Recent studies across Europe highlight the growing intensity of cyberattacks aimed at legal professionals. In 2024, approximately 46% of law firms reported having experienced at least one successful cyberattack. As with accounting firms, ransomware remains the number one threat.
Targeted phishing (spear-phishing) attacks often exploit the trust clients place in their firms by sending fraudulent emails that mimic lawyers or their associates.In the United Kingdom, the Law Society recorded more than 1,200 reported incidents in 2024 (a 77% increase compared to 2022). Small and medium-sized firms are particularly vulnerable, as they generally lack internal cybersecurity resources.
These figures show that the profession is no longer spared. The confidentiality of attorney-client privilege makes law firms attractive targets, with attackers seeking either to monetize stolen data or to paralyze a firm’s operations.
2. The Most Common Threats on law firms
Cyberattacks are not abstract risks. They result in very concrete situations that can disrupt a law firm’s operations overnight.
A. Ransomware
Imagine this: it is 8:30 a.m. on a busy Monday. You log in to prepare for an important hearing. Instead of accessing your usual case files, a red message appears on your screen: “Your files have been encrypted. Pay 3 Bitcoins within 72 hours or your data will be destroyed.” All shared drives, contracts, and electronic evidence are inaccessible. The firm’s activity is paralyzed.
These ransomware attacks have multiplied in recent years. Their effectiveness lies in the firm’s total dependence on databases and specialized legal software. Paying does not always guarantee data recovery, while refusing can mean weeks of disruption.
B. Targeted Phishing (Spear-Phishing)
An associate receives an email that appears to come from a strategic client. The tone is urgent: “Please review the attached contract for immediate validation before court filing.” By opening the attachment, malware is installed, granting attackers full access to the firm’s IT systems.
This is how most attacks against law firms begin, as lawyers handle massive volumes of emails daily, often under pressure and tight deadlines.
C. Espionage and Data Leaks
A firm involved in a high-stakes merger or acquisition can become the target of a state actor or competitor. A discreet infiltration may last for months, with progressive exfiltration of contracts, financial data, or confidential evidence. The consequences include loss of client trust, legal liabilities, and breaches of attorney-client privilege.
D. Identity Theft (Spoofing)
A client receives an “official” email from their lawyer, requesting a transfer to a “temporary” bank account in order to finalize a transaction. The email is convincing (logo, tone, signature), but fraudulent. Several French clients have already fallen victim, sometimes transferring hundreds of thousands of euros to cybercriminals.
E. Exploitation of Software Vulnerabilities
Many firms use specialized legal software (time tracking, billing, client files). Poorly secured or outdated, these tools often serve as entry points for attackers. In 2024, nearly half of cyberattacks targeting regulated professions stemmed from known but unpatched vulnerabilities.
3. Applicable Cybersecurity Regulations for Law Firms
Law firm cybersecurity is governed by several European and national frameworks:
NIS2 Directive (2024): Large firms or international networks are directly impacted, especially when handling data in strategic sectors (energy, healthcare, finance). It requires minimum security measures, greater accountability of management, and severe financial penalties (up to €10M or 2% of turnover).
GDPR: The processing of personal and sensitive data (clients, disputes, medical data, etc.) makes GDPR compliance unavoidable. Violations expose firms to fines of up to 4% of annual turnover.
French sector-specific obligations: The National Bar Council (CNB) has reinforced its cybersecurity guidelines, issuing practical recommendations for securing electronic communications, storing files in compliant environments, and raising employee awareness.
Cyberscore Law (2022): Applicable to certain platforms used by firms, this law mandates regular system audits and public disclosure of security ratings.
These obligations aim to build a framework of trust, protecting clients while holding legal firm leaders accountable.
4. Real-World Examples of Cyberattacks on Law Firms
This major New York firm, known for its celebrity clientele (Madonna, Lady Gaga, LeBron James), was attacked by the REvil criminal group. The attackers demanded $42 million to avoid publishing sensitive contracts and information. After the firm refused, part of the data was leaked on the dark web. The incident triggered a media storm and a crisis of client confidence.
One of the most prestigious Magic Circle firms suffered an attack that paralyzed its systems for several weeks. Clients lost access to online portals, and some cases were delayed. While not all technical details were disclosed, the incident demonstrated that even global leaders with strong internal IT teams are not immune.
C. Mid-Sized French Firms (2024)
Several French firms of 30 to 100 lawyers (whose names remain confidential) reported identity fraud cases: fake emails impersonating lawyers requested urgent wire transfers, leading to direct losses ranging from €50,000 to €300,000. In one case, the client relationship was immediately terminated due to loss of trust.
D. Silent Attacks and Espionage
According to several studies (including ANSSI and Bar associations), some firms have been discreetly infiltrated during international litigation. Attackers did not encrypt systems but exfiltrated gigabytes of confidential documents. The result: compromised legal strategies and clients exposed to irreversible competitive disadvantages.
5. How Systelium Supports Law Firms in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity in the legal sector requires a combined technical, organizational, and human approach. At Systelium, we have designed tailored solutions for law firms, taking into account their specific constraints (absolute confidentiality, controlled budgets, service continuity) and strategic challenges (professional secrecy, reputation, regulatory compliance).
A. Structured Cyber Governance with the Externalized CISO Office
Many firms cannot recruit a dedicated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Systelium offers an externalized CISO Office: a team of French & english speaking experts managing the firm’s cybersecurity strategy and governance. This includes:
Initial assessment of the firm’s maturity level.
Definition of a cybersecurity roadmap aligned with business risks.
Regular follow-up through committees and dashboards.
Regulatory and normative monitoring (GDPR, NIS2, ISO 27001).
B. Technical Protection and Continuous Monitoring
The first line of defense relies on robust system security. Systelium deploys tailored solutions for law firms:
Auditing and hardening of specialized legal software (case management, client portals, SaaS tools).
24/7 threat monitoring and anomaly detection.
Regular penetration testing to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Business continuity and disaster recovery plans (BCP/DRP), ensuring access to files even in case of major incidents.
C. Securing Communications and Confidentiality
Since attorney-client privilege is at the core of legal practice, Systelium implements solutions that guarantee confidentiality:
Systematic encryption of communications (emails, file sharing, videoconferencing).
Strong access management and authentication (MFA, centralized identity management).
Segmentation of environments to prevent a single intrusion from compromising the entire system.
D. Awareness and Training
In 70% of attacks, the weakness comes from human error. Systelium supports firms with:
Interactive training sessions for partners, associates, and staff.
Simulated phishing campaigns to test and improve employee reflexes.
Practical resources (guides, checklists) adapted to lawyers’ daily work.
E. An Agile and Cost-Effective Approach
Thanks to its nearshore model, Systelium delivers high-level expertise at a cost 2 to 3 times lower than traditional onshore cybersecurity consulting firms. This approach enables even mid-sized firms to access professional, scalable solutions without increasing fixed overheads. Contact us for more details.
One of the most prestigious Magic Circle firms suffered an attack that paralyzed its systems for several weeks. Clients lost access to online portals, and some cases were delayed. While not all technical details were disclosed, the incident demonstrated that even global leaders with strong internal IT teams are not immune.
C. Mid-Sized French Firms (2024)
Several French firms of 30 to 100 lawyers (whose names remain confidential) reported identity fraud cases: fake emails impersonating lawyers requested urgent wire transfers, leading to direct losses ranging from €50,000 to €300,000. In one case, the client relationship was immediately terminated due to loss of trust.
D. Silent Attacks and Espionage
According to several studies (including ANSSI and Bar associations), some firms have been discreetly infiltrated during international litigation. Attackers did not encrypt systems but exfiltrated gigabytes of confidential documents. The result: compromised legal strategies and clients exposed to irreversible competitive disadvantages.
5. How Systelium Supports Law Firms in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity in the legal sector requires a combined technical, organizational, and human approach. At Systelium, we have designed tailored solutions for law firms, taking into account their specific constraints (absolute confidentiality, controlled budgets, service continuity) and strategic challenges (professional secrecy, reputation, regulatory compliance).
A. Structured Cyber Governance with the Externalized CISO Office
Many firms cannot recruit a dedicated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Systelium offers an externalized CISO Office: a team of French & english speaking experts managing the firm’s cybersecurity strategy and governance. This includes:
Initial assessment of the firm’s maturity level.
Definition of a cybersecurity roadmap aligned with business risks.
Regular follow-up through committees and dashboards.
Regulatory and normative monitoring (GDPR, NIS2, ISO 27001).
B. Technical Protection and Continuous Monitoring
The first line of defense relies on robust system security. Systelium deploys tailored solutions for law firms:
Auditing and hardening of specialized legal software (case management, client portals, SaaS tools).
24/7 threat monitoring and anomaly detection.
Regular penetration testing to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Business continuity and disaster recovery plans (BCP/DRP), ensuring access to files even in case of major incidents.
C. Securing Communications and Confidentiality
Since attorney-client privilege is at the core of legal practice, Systelium implements solutions that guarantee confidentiality:
Systematic encryption of communications (emails, file sharing, videoconferencing).
Strong access management and authentication (MFA, centralized identity management).
Segmentation of environments to prevent a single intrusion from compromising the entire system.
D. Awareness and Training
In 70% of attacks, the weakness comes from human error. Systelium supports firms with:
Interactive training sessions for partners, associates, and staff.
Simulated phishing campaigns to test and improve employee reflexes.
Practical resources (guides, checklists) adapted to lawyers’ daily work.
E. An Agile and Cost-Effective Approach
Thanks to its nearshore model, Systelium delivers high-level expertise at a cost 2 to 3 times lower than traditional onshore cybersecurity consulting firms. This approach enables even mid-sized firms to access professional, scalable solutions without increasing fixed overheads. Contact us for more details.
