Protecting law firms against cyber threats – Appurity providing enhanced security and greater productivity to legal firms for over a decade

-Appurity provides mobile and application security solutions and consultancy to Ashurst LLP, Taylor Vinters LLP, Brodies LLP, Bristows LLP, Clarke Willmott LLP and Osborne Clarke LLP-
-As firms continue to adopt a mobile and app centric way of working, security threats have increased-

Appurity, a company that provides cyber security solutions and services across the legal sector for over a decade and is now looking to expand even further in 2022. Appurity now consults to leading law firms including: Ashurst LLP, Taylor Vinters LLP, Brodies LLP, Bristows LLP and Clarke Willmott LLP.

As legal firms have adopted new ways of working, cyber threats have increased and a number of high profile attacks have occurred. Mobile security is particularly important in the legal industry where unsecured devices and apps can leave firms exposed to malicious actors. This can lead to business critical or sensitive data being compromised – of the firm itself and its clients.

Appurity specialisation includes:

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solution can optimise visibility across an organisation, by monitoring all user activity within cloud applications (company-approved and shadow apps) and enforce both internal policies and external compliance requirements. A CASB solution should additionally be adopted as part of a wider SIM/SIEM solution for the ultimate in forward-looking, secure data collection, monitoring, and consolidation.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

Technology can afford us the flexibility and ability to work anywhere – in the office, at home or on the road. With most workers effectively not now tethered to a desk / desktop, businesses require security platforms that support the new normal with solutions that provide remote workers with security whilst actively improving the employee experience. Organisations need to ensure that employees are able to work on any device, which makes tools like multi factor authentication and a Zero Trust approach to security absolutely crucial.

Rubus

A feature-rich email client with iManage integration that enables law firms to increase billable hours and fee earner productivity. Available on iOS and Android, Rubus is designed for fee earners and partners that work in a number of different ways – static, remotely or mobile. Within seconds, fee earners and partners have access to email, important documents and assignments – all accessed securely from their smartphones.

With fee earners and partners able to work from anywhere – in the office, from home or on the way to court to meet clients – Rubus is actively reducing downtime and increasing the amount of billable hours per week, per month and per year. For a law firm charging £200 per hour across 150 fee earners, billing just 30 minutes extra over the course of a 21-day working month delivers an additional billing total of £3,780,000.

Mobile Threat Prevention

Traditional endpoint protection does not protect all of your endpoints, leaving a firm vulnerable to threats that target iOS, Android, and Chrome OS. These devices have access to the same client and firm data as desktops and laptops, but require protection to reduce risks from the latest cybersecurity threats.

The smartphone endpoint protection must detect threats in apps, SMS, WiFi, the device and network connections. It must protect the user, the device and the organisation while respecting user privacy. It must work equally well for firm-owned devices and BYOD.

Appurity secure mobile solutions has the ability to secure a firm’s endpoints against emerging cyber risks, while providing visibility into any potential threat its lawyers might encounter;

With seamless integration with solutions such as Microsoft Endpoint Manager, MobileIron and BlackBerry UEM console, Appurity can assist and provide a legal firm with threat “trends” and how best to mitigate and protect.

Appurity has supported international law firm Taylor Vinters LLP for close to 10 years. Earlier this year, Appurity delivered the Lookout Mobile Endpoint Security Platform with Phishing and Content Protection and Modern Endpoint Protection to optimise security across all Taylor Vinters’ devices. Taylor Vinters handles a great deal of sensitive information, which is accessible to employees via their work-issued Android smartphones and laptops. The firm’s IT team is responsible for providing employees with video conferencing, web browsing and secure access to a whole host of SaaS delivered applications. These apps have the potential to put Taylor Vinters out of compliance or give bad actors an additional avenue to compromise the firm’s data, which is why the firm sought a solution that could help it protect its data and meet regulatory requirements.

Steve Sumner, IT Director, Taylor Vinters said: “The freedom to work anywhere comes with risk, so we need to ensure every mobile device our employees touch for work-related matters is secure. With Lookout in place, we now have a best-in-class security platform protecting our mobile workforce as we open up the functionality which modern mobile devices and cloud delivered applications can bring. The team at Appurity understands our needs and delivers the best solutions possible.”

Appurity also delivered Lookout’s Mobile Endpoint Security solution for leading technology law firm Bristows LLP.  Given the high-profile nature of many of its clients, Bristows lawyers and their endpoint devices have always been a potential attack vector for malicious actors. In fact, numerous government bodies had advised Bristows that lawyers specifically have been a highly desirable supply chain attack target because of their relation to high-risk clients and sensitive data. As such, reducing business and cyber risk has been a longstanding priority at Bristows, which is the challenge Appurity addressed.

Phil Wood, Head of IT, Bristows said, “Mobile endpoint security was our most pressing risk. While the security apparatus for desktops and the network is quite mature, mobile endpoint security can be a weak point for organisations because employees don’t necessarily take the initiative to load security onto their phones. We saw Lookout as a proactive and robust solution that can address a broad range of mobile threats. Appurity is a fantastic partner for our firm and one we trust.”

Steve Whiter, director, Appurity: “It has been a hugely successful year for Appurity, and a successful decade for us in the legal sector. As law firms have adapted to the pandemic, our technological expertise and experience has become critical in delivering security solutions that protect against threats. For any firm that is breached, there’s the disruption this can cause as well as the damage financially and reputationally. That’s why this matters so much.”

For more information about Appurity, visit www.appurity.co.uk.