The world of business is changing rapidly, and this is especially true for law firms. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have adjusted to doing business online rather than in-person. For law firms, this means many clients are looking to connect virtually rather than step foot into the office. Additionally, some employees may be looking for more of a work from home solution or a hybrid work schedule.
Technology is able to facilitate all of this but the right tools and solutions need to be in place. This can be a challenge for law firms that don’t know where to look, what software and hardware to buy, and how to implement it all seamlessly so that technology is an asset rather than a bottleneck. To help with this, we’ve put together some technology strategies for law firms to consider as they make the next step into the virtual world.
Upgrade Video Conferencing
Everyone saw how important video conferencing became during the pandemic. It was really the only way to have a “face-to-face” meeting during the height of the public health restrictions. Now that things are returning to normal, true face-to-face meetings are coming back. But, with that said, many people will continue to opt for the convenience of a video meeting. In addition, video conferencing is expected to grow over 11% in the coming years. Law offices need to consider their video conferencing capabilities in order to present the most professional video meeting possible. That old built-in laptop camera won’t cut it anymore.
The most important components of a video conference are being seen, being heard, and hearing clearly. With a good, high-definition web camera, a quality microphone, and sufficient speakers; a video conference can be just as good as an in-person meeting.
Making boardrooms digital video conferencing friendly is also important for larger meetings where they are several parties engaging in the meeting. It truly adds an extra layer of professionalism and makes clients feel like the firm went above and beyond. The same rules apply for larger rooms as they do for smaller offices. However, firms may want to consider adding a high-definition television or a digital whiteboard for viewing and presenting.
Put a Focus on Cybersecurity
An increased reliance on technology beginning in 2020 also presented cybercriminals with additional opportunities. Overall, cyberattacks saw a major increase in 2020 with some types of attacks seeing more than 30% increases in volume. Furthermore, this trend is only expected to continue. There have been high profile news stories of major companies being target by ransomware attacks where millions of dollars were paid out to hackers to restore data access.
It’s not just big, multinational companies that are facing cybersecurity challenges. Even a small or medium sized law firm can be considered a prime target because they are perceived to have money. In addition, the data that law firms deal with is very sensitive and private. Much like medical offices, which are also seeing increased attacks, law offices simply cannot afford to have their data fall into the wrong hands or lose it entirely.
With managed IT services, law firms can feel confident that their network infrastructure and devices are being monitored proactively for potentially damaging malware, phishing attacks, and other cybersecurity concerns. Should the unthinkable happen, a thorough disaster recovery plan can be put in place to ensure regular data backup that allows information and operations to be restored quickly.
File Access Whenever and Wherever
With so many people working remotely, or working out of the office part time, one of the biggest challenges many businesses face is ensuring the right people can access the information they need, when they need it. Having files stored on a desktop or hard drive at the office doesn’t help when the person who needs them is working from home, another office location, or visiting a client at their home or business.
With cloud-based storage, files can be securely stored in the cloud. This gives access to approved individuals from anywhere where they have an internet connection. Plus, many cloud services enable users to access files from a wide range of devices. Laptops, smartphones, and tablets can all be used for work. This helps improve productivity and keeps employees connected without feeling like they have to sacrifice accessibility just because they aren’t at their desk.
Build a Complete Technology Strategy
There are a number of moving parts when it comes to building the digitally enabled law firm of the future. With managed IT services, all of these moving parts come together in one cohesive strategy. CDS Office Technologies specializes in finding the right software and hardware to great a seamless solution for businesses of all sizes. For more information about managed IT services, contact us today!
