The 5 major IT challenges include: Hardware and software cost; Technical malfunction; Training; Security; and Misevaluation.
Law firms, big and small, rely heavily on information technology (IT) to streamline their operations, manage sensitive client data, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving legal landscape. However, with great reliance on IT comes great challenges.
Imagine this: You’re a dedicated lawyer, working tirelessly to provide the best legal counsel to your clients. But suddenly, your computer crashes, taking with it all the important case files and research you’ve painstakingly gathered over weeks. The frustration and anxiety that accompany such a situation highlight just one of the many IT challenges law firms face today.
Here are the 5 major IT challenges law firms face:
Hardware & Software Cost
Although there are many costs associated with in-house IT administration, the initial investment in the gear and software needed to run a successful business is one of the biggest outlays. According to a poll conducted by Inside Legal, cloud storage and disaster recovery are among the top 10 purchases made by law firms each year, along with PCs, laptops, servers, and security software.
According to the American Bar Association, firms with two or more members were reported to spend $1,000–$3,000 a year on software alone, and the cost can increase to $13,000 a year when hardware is taken into account, even though the costs can be relatively low (though far from insignificant) for a solo practitioner. It’s important to note that hardware costs are rising. A company might have ran on a simple hardware setup in the past, with software licensing costs taking up the majority of its tech expenditure.
Technical Malfunction
Problems with the technology itself are frequently the most significant IT challenges a company will encounter. The majority of unplanned server downtime—around 55%—is caused by hardware failure, with human error coming in second at 22%. Although placing your servers can help with this by guaranteeing that they are watched and serviced by qualified specialists, there is still a possibility that one of your employees could inadvertently cause a technical issue. Damages to hardware can be expensive to repair if they do so. The damages can be beyond repair if they involve lost data.
This is what makes cloud computing backup and backup servers so crucial. However, when an organization manages its IT requirements internally, it might be still another big expense.
Training
Similar to computer technology, training necessitates a large initial time and money investment. The ABA has mandated that legal practitioners in certain states keep up with emerging technology that affects their industry. Working in a field that depends so largely on modern information technology undoubtedly requires some familiarity with it. But since managing a safe, secure, and effective IT system necessitates such specific expertise and extensive training, an experienced lawyer could as well launch their own IT consulting business.
Educating internal staff members on the inner workings of a company’s IT system can take a significant amount of time and money. Yes, more than most other professions, lawyers need to be somewhat tech savvy, but ultimately, you studied law to practice law.
Security
Data security is more crucial than everywhere else in the legal industry. Some of a firm’s clients’ most private and personal information is entrusted to their legal team, information that many would be hesitant to reveal even with their closest family members. A law company processes hundreds of data points per day, all of which would be devastating to disclose in the event of a security breach.
In 2016, 10% of solo practitioners and about 1/3 of law firms with 10 or more workers reported a security breach. This implies that you are a target if you work in law. Any business, regardless of size, can be impacted by a security breach.
For the simple reason that hackers and cybercriminals are often opportunists above all else, investing in security-as-a-service is a great method to control these risks. Before successfully breaking into a system, hackers would frequently try the same procedures on dozens or even hundreds of prospective targets rather than specifically targeting one business or organization. Similar to a label advertising a surveillance camera on a home window, just having security measures in place can significantly reduce the likelihood that a company would have a security breach.
Misevaluation
It’s rare that a typical law firm has somebody on staff who can effectively forecast their IT demands and how much it will cost to handle them internally. Only 44% of those surveyed in 2018 believed having a working knowledge of technology to be “very important.”
Even if there is considerable crossover between the tech and legal worlds, law and practice are two very different fields. Similar to how a software engineer shouldn’t be expected to represent themselves in court, the average legal practitioner would not just be unable to construct an IT system on their own.
Law firms must adapt to the ever-evolving IT landscape to remain competitive and secure. With Intelecis, we will be your trusted partner in overcoming these challenges. Our world-class IT services are tailored to meet the unique needs of law firms, providing you with the technology and support necessary to excel in a digital world. With Intelecis by your side, you can focus on what you do best—serving your clients with confidence, knowing that your IT needs are in expert hands. Get in touch with us today!
