Law firms rely on computers, mobile devices, software, broadband Internet, and more to keep themselves in business and prospering. If your law firm makes any of the technology mistakes highlighted here, things could be more difficult. But with the help of skilled software development professionals and IT experts, your law firm can use technology to its greatest advantage. 

Buying Hardware Based Only On Cost

If you are starting your own law firm, it’s understandable to try to buy inexpensive computers and other equipment. However, if you purchase hardware based only on cost, you could cause yourself a lot of headaches. 

For example, let’s say you need to have laptop computers for the attorneys and paralegals in your office. It’s true that you can save a few hundred dollars per unit by purchasing low-end laptops. 

But those computers probably aren’t designed for heavy business use and may not come with good warranties. In the end, you could buy cheap and pay a lot more down the road. 

Remember, your law firm’s computers are the center of your business. It’s vital that they are fast and work flawlessly for years. So spend a bit more money upfront and you will be better off. 

Not Devoting Resources To Security 

We all know that strong cybersecurity is essential for every business and law firm, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. Cybercriminals are clever and their attacks and malware are changing all the time. 

You should make sure your IT team is on top of keeping all of your devices and networks secure from hackers. Also, educate your staff about being careful about opening emails and texts from unknown people. 

Allowing Employees To Bring Their Own Devices

The law firm can save money by having employees bring their own mobile devices and laptops to work. However, if you do not set up security controls governing their use in your firm, there can be a lot of problems. 

When there aren’t rules for using personal devices at work, private data can be stored all over the place without controls and encryption. This increases the risk of data breaches and can put the law firm in hot water regarding legal compliance. 

Your law firm network could easily be hacked because insecure devices are connected. So if you want to save money by letting workers bring their own devices, have your IT staff set up rules and security for every connected device. 

Having 1 Person Handle All IT Duties

It’s always a mistake to have one person handle all critical duties in part of the business with no backups. This is definitely true with IT support. It isn’t a good business practice to have all of the law firm’s IT knowledge resting with a single person. 

Make sure if your IT expert quits tomorrow you can keep the law firm running without a hitch. This means having a team of IT people who can take over for another person at any time. 

Not Taking Advantage Of The Cloud

With so much cyber crime going on every day, some law firms are nervous about backing up their systems in the cloud. But if you don’t have your data backed up offsite, you could be courting disaster. 

Some believe that when you put data in the cloud, you have lost all control of it. That isn’t true. There are many excellent cloud services available that are highly secure and affordable. Plus, putting data in the cloud means your legal staff can work on critical documents securely and in real-time. 

If your law firm avoids these mistakes, you’re sure to have more success for years in the future.