Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
CybersecurityManagementPhysicalSecurity Enterprise ServicesSecurity Leadership and ManagementLogical SecuritySecurity & Business ResilienceSecurity Education & TrainingPhysical SecurityCybersecurity News

How to improve legal document security in six steps

By Ben  Liu
document security
January 19, 2021

In legal professions, safeguarding documents and paperwork is an essential office task. These papers may contain important, private information about a company’s operations, or they may include other privileged information shared by clients concerning their cases. In an increasingly digital world, the lock and key of the filing cabinet are no longer enough to guarantee document security.

How can your practice better protect the digital files it stores? Take a moment to consider these six tips for implementing better security surrounding these important documents.

1. Store Documents of Similar Security Levels Together

When creating a digital filing system to store your sensitive documents, it is vital to employ a classification system that makes sense today and tomorrow. In other words, documents of similar sensitivity levels should all go into the same general area of your local or cloud infrastructure. The effect is twofold. First, you always know exactly where to locate particular types of documents. Second, you can standardize the types of security you apply to these documents based on their overall security level, rather than classifying every document individually all over again.

2. Prefer Group Permissions Over Individual Access

Controlling access to confidential information is important; not everyone within a legal practice may have the authority or right to view certain documents. Access control systems, such as Microsoft's Active Directory Rights Management Services, serve an important role in designating which files remain accessible by which users. Leaving secure documents in insecure places on your computer networks or in the cloud not only raises the risk of an incident caused by an outside intruder but also increases the risk of a leak from within your office. At the least, it's an unacceptable liability.


3. Use Software That Enables Secure Document Management
It's tough to overrate the value of software tools that put security features right at your fingertips. Law offices, increasingly working in a paperless environment, require cost-effective programs that make secure document management easy. Whether that means redacting information before turning over discovery materials, affixing a certifiable signature, or encrypting files altogether, the right tools make the difference.

4. Protect and Encrypt Your Most Sensitive Files
Speaking of encryption, it is advisable to lock down your files in general. An intern or clerk should not be able to find sensitive client information in a file folder and simply start browsing and reading with a few clicks. Using password-based encryption is an easy way to ensure that wayward eyes can't access information without authorization.

5. Safeguard Against Tampering with Secure Digital Signatures
Using cryptographic certificates, modern digital signatures provide binding proof of who authorized a document and when. In the legal field, ensuring the authenticity of documents is of the utmost importance. Use tools that have anti-tampering measures built-in to ensure that your documents hold up to the strict scrutiny given to paperwork in the legal profession.

6. Keep Safe Backups
Nothing is worse for a firm than losing essential papers that you cannot replace. Without the need for additional physical storage space, keeping your legal documents secure in the cloud is an easier way to guarantee access now and in the future. Whatever backup solution you choose, continue to follow the practices outlined here. Group files together into sensible backup folders, and make sure you've password-protected your documents and encrypted the backup. When your document management solution integrates with ease into standard cloud services such as Microsoft Sharepoint, you can exert a highly granular control over permissions and security settings.

Make Changes to Protect Your Legal Documents Today
With best practices in place and the appropriate software tools powering your efforts behind the scenes, creating a modern security setup for your legal team is simple. Straightforward, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tools make quick work of security workflows. When everyone can use the same tools and follow the same procedures, you can confidently reduce the risk of sensitive information leaking from your office. Learn more about how to empower your efforts to improve security today.

KEYWORDS: digital security document security risk management

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Ben Liu is Director of eCommerce at Kofax.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Columns
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Technologies & Solutions
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Red laptop

Cybersecurity leaders discuss Oracle’s second recent hack

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Coding on screen

Research reveals mass scanning and exploitation campaigns

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

May 22, 2025

Proactive Crisis Communication

Crisis doesn't wait for the right time - it strikes when least expected. Is your team prepared to communicate clearly and effectively when it matters most?

November 17, 2025

SECURITY 500 Conference

This event is designed to provide security executives, government officials and leaders of industry with vital information on how to elevate their programs while allowing attendees to share their strategies and solutions with other security industry executives.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • email

    Six Steps to Boost Email Security for Remote Employees

    See More
  • Security Podcast- Welch.jpg

    Listen to Michael Welch and how to address fourth-party risks and improve supply chain security in our latest The Security Podcast episode

    See More
  • keys-cyber-enews

    Three Steps to Reduce Insider Threats to High Value Legal Content

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing