Year-End Risk Audits: Securing Client Data Against Seasonal Threats

Are you starting to notice gaps in your workflows? Do you feel uncertain about whether all of your client’s files are fully protected? Do you want to strengthen your law firm’s defenses and reduce your likelihood of data breaches? 

A 2024 Study by Trustwave Labs shows that professional service firms have become prime targets for cybercriminals. Law firms are among the most targeted because they hold critical data that can be used to commit fraud or influence the outcome of a case. Even if your security systems manage to block obvious attacks, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t review them to identify hidden vulnerabilities. A year-end risk audit can help your firm identify weaknesses and ensure that your client data is secure. 

Our team knows how law firms operate and understands the challenges of balancing client work with internal security. That’s why we’ve developed an audit plan that makes the process easier for you. 

Identify Key Data Assets

The first step in any year-end risk audit is knowing what sensitive information your firm holds and where it is stored. These include:

• Financial records
• Tax filings
• Settlement and escrow documents 
• Legal contracts
• Case files
• Personal identification information 

You can use this record to prioritize areas that require the most protection, and ensuring that no critical data is overlooked.

Review Access and Permissions

Your next step is to examine who can access your firm’s sensitive information. Access should only be granted to individuals who genuinely need it to perform their roles, and their permissions must match their current responsibilities. 

You may be surprised to discover that old accounts or former employees still have access to your system, creating unnecessary security gaps. Removing these outdated permissions reduces the likelihood of accidental data exposure and makes it more difficult for attackers to exploit previously unsecured entry points.

Check Your Existing Security

Examine your core security tools, including antivirus software, endpoint protection tools, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems. Confirm that these solutions are running correctly on every device, including laptops, desktops, and remote workstations. For instance, check that firewall rules are accurate, that malware protection is fully enabled, and that your monitoring tools are actively reporting suspicious activity.

Next, verify that all software, operating systems, and security tools are fully updated and patched. This includes your case management system, document automation tools, billing software, and any apps your team uses on a daily basis. Cybercriminals often exploit outdated software versions, and a missed update can create a vulnerability. Confirm that automatic updates are enabled where possible, and review whether any tools have reached end-of-life support, meaning that the vendor no longer provides patches.

You should also review the status of your licenses to ensure that they are active and up to date. Many law firms rely on annual subscriptions for security tools. If a license has expired or is in a grace period, you may unknowingly be operating without critical security features. 

Examine Communication and Transaction Workflows

Review how information flows across your team, particularly when handling sensitive matters such as wire instructions or confidential case updates.

Start by examining how your staff communicates with clients and outside partners. Look at the channels they use, such as email, client portals, messaging apps, or phone calls. Ensure these platforms are secure and encrypted to reduce the chances of attack.

Next you should review how financial transactions are processed. Confirm that your team knows how to authenticate requests and verify account details before transferring funds.

You can also assess how third-party vendors and contractors interact with your systems. For instance if you use outside bookkeepers, IT providers, transcription services, or virtual assistants, ensure that their access is secure and their communication channels are verified. Their involvement in financial or data workflows should be closely monitored and controlled since, according to the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, about 6 percent of system intrusion incidents involved the misuse of privileges.

Finally, look for operational weaknesses such as skipped approval steps. These small breakdowns often become the entry points cybercriminals rely on when attempting to manipulate information or redirect funds. Strengthening your communication and transaction workflows ensures that both routine and time-sensitive processes remain secure throughout the busy season.

Check Your Backup and Recovery Measures

No matter how robust your preventive measures are, incidents can still occur. That’s why you need to test your backup and recovery plan. These backups, whether locally or in the cloud, serve as your safety net, allowing you to recover if files are lost or corrupted.

• Verify that your backup plan is complete, current, and aligned with your firm’s needs
• Check how often backups are performed and confirm you have multiple restore points
• Ensure your cloud storage providers have proper security certifications
• Retire old backups safely to avoid keeping unnecessary sensitive data
• Confirm that confidential files are not being saved on personal or unmanaged devices
• Document every recovery procedure so your team knows what to do in an emergency, including instructions on how to access backups and restore documents without compromising their integrity

Have your Law Firm’s Systems Audited by a Professional

At Digital Crisis, we examine your systems with a fresh perspective and industry-standard testing. We review access controls, inactive accounts, software versions, logging practices, device security, and your incident response readiness. Additionally, our team offers practical recommendations to strengthen your security and help your team start the new year on a solid footing.

If you want to reduce hidden risks and have full confidence in your firm’s security system, this is the best time to act. Reach out today and let our experts help you enter the new year prepared for any security threats.