Transform your Law Firm with Sync.com Secure Cloud Storage

Can lawyers ethically move their client data to the cloud?

Yes, in a recent survey, the American Bar Association found that cloud usage among sole practitioners and small law firms grew more than 40% in 2017, with close to 60% of respondents indicating they regularly use consumer cloud services such as Dropbox.

The ABA and over 20 state bar associations have issued opinions on this subject, concluding that lawyers may ethically utilize the cloud, so long as they exercise reasonable care to keep their client data confidential.

The Canadian Bar Association has similarly concluded that technology can be harnessed to improve access to justice. The Law Society of British Columbia has taken a leading role in this regard, providing an easy to follow cloud computing checklist.

How can lawyers ensure their client data remains safe?

The ABA recommends encryption as an adequate safeguard to prevent unauthorized access. On the surface this seems like an easy requirement to fulfill, as virtually all cloud providers tout encryption as a security feature. Unfortunately the devil is in the details, as not all encryption is equal.

For example, the Hitech Lawyer concludes that if Dropbox is used as a storage location for client files the Dropbox Terms of Service and related policies may not provide adequate assurances of confidentially, without the use of additional encryption software.

So, what makes the encryption provided by Dropbox less secure than encryption provided by Dropbox competitors such as Sync.com? The detail is whether or not the encrypted data can be decrypted by the service provider.

To prevent unauthorized access lawyers need to look for end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption prevents the service provider from being able to decrypt and access the data stored in the cloud.

Sync.com is a good option in this regard, as end-to-end encryption is included. And Sync is easy to setup and use.

In addition to strong encryption, the ABA and CBA also recommend lawyers review their cloud provider’s terms of service, evaluate vendor company history and look for service level agreements that provide disaster recovery assurance.

The LSBC also recommends that lawyers be aware of where their data is geographically stored, as regional laws governing data storage may present unexpected challenges in terms of protecting client confidentiality.

How can the cloud transform your law firm?

Compared to on-premise file servers and infrastructure, cloud services are typically do-it-yourself solutions that involve creating an account with the service provider, and accessing the service using a web browser, desktop or mobile apps. Setup with Sync.com is quick and easy with technical support included, eliminating the need for expensive external IT consultation.

Lower costs with predicable expenses

Lawyers and law firms see the cloud as way to increase productivity without the need for a substantial upfront investment in hardware and software. A Sync.com Pro Teams account starts at $60 per year, per user, which includes backup, secure file sharing, and access from anywhere.

Anywhere access, 24/7

Cloud based solutions give lawyers the ability to work from home, in the court room, from a park bench or on the go, by making it easy to access documents and files securely from any computer or mobile device – without a complicated network setup.  Sync.com includes features that enable offline access, making it easy to work from 35,000 feet as well.

Data loss protection

“Three things in life are certain: death, taxes and computer failures.”
– Erik J. Heels – Law Practice Magazine

Data loss occurs when documents and files are deleted or lost due to hardware failure, software errors, human error, cyber security threats (ransomware, malware etc.), or theft. Planning for data loss generally entails creating a “backup” of your data – a secondary copy, stored away from your computer (offsite).

Cloud based services make backups easy, by storing a copy of your data in the cloud, which can be recovered anytime. Sync.com takes this a step further by maintaining a file version history, allowing you to easily recover any version of any file, including deleted files, from virtually any date or time.

Protecting client confidentiality is always a concern, and as such, any cloud-based backup solution should provide end-to-end encryption. This ensures that the service provider cannot access the data stored on their servers. Another good reason to choose Sync.

Document sharing and collaboration made easy

Sharing documents securely can be challenging, especially when relying on email, because email messages and attachments can be read by your email provider. This makes email a risky choice for sending sensitive client data.

Sync.com gives law firms a solution to this problem, by providing secure and private methods of sharing documents with both colleagues and clients. Law firms can easily manage document access permissions to control who is authorized to view or make changes to a file. Changes to documents can be tracked to individual users, and access can be granted or revoked at any time.

Sending documents, or requesting documents from clients also becomes much easier with features including encrypted links, document password protection, document expiry dates, read-only permissions and more.

Document sharing helps improve collaboration and communication within the firm and with clients, all while safeguarding unauthorized access.

Improved client experience

Giving your clients a secure and private method to share and collaborate ensures that your law firm is providing the types of services expected in the Internet age. Protecting confidential information from unauthorized access and data loss can go a long way towards establishing positive perception and client trust.

Anywhere access allows you to answer questions faster, eliminate downtime, and be more productive overall – which can translate to happier clients and increased revenue. A win-win for everyone.

Meet ever changing compliance regulations

Cloud service providers also make it easy for your law firm to comply with specialized industry regulations (such as HIPAA for US healthcare providers) and global data privacy laws (such as Canada PIPEDA, FIPPA and PIPA, and the EU / UK GDPR).

Working without borders opens the door to new opportunities.

Compliment your existing tools and workflow

Moving to the cloud does not mean you have to replace your existing physical servers, software tools or workflows. On the contrary, cloud services are typically used along side existing software. In fact, the ABA reports that many lawyers are already benefiting from the cloud, without even knowing it, suggesting that lawyers who do not think that they are using the cloud may in fact be using it every day!

The advantages of the cloud are clear: anytime access to your documents, secure file sharing, data loss mitigation, better security, lower operating costs, happier clients and increased revenue.

Transform your law firm today with Sync.com. 5 GB of end-to-end encrypted cloud storage and secure file sharing is always free, and Pro plans start at $60 per year, and include unlimited sharing and collaboration.

And, if you have any questions or need help with setup, Sync also provides fast and friendly, all inclusive email support and customer service. Ask a question today.