To compete in today’s fast-paced world, every law firm needs a reliable, efficient, and secure IT system. However, most small and midsize law firms do not have the in-house resources needed to build, optimize, defend, maintain, support, and update such a system. Partnering with a reputable managed IT service provider (MSP) gives a law firm access to a better technology system than it could manage on its own while freeing up the firm to concentrate on doing what it does best: serving its clients. Consider the following when searching for an MSP.
Strategic Partnership
Look for an MSP that will serve as a strategic partner with your firm. The MSP should assign a dedicated client manager, who will work closely with your firm and take the time to understand how your firm operates and what your goals are. The client manager will collaborate with you to plan and implement optimal technology solutions, including infrastructure and applications, that will efficiently support your operations and objectives now and into the future. For instance, this may include incorporating cloud-based applications, to allow attorneys and staff to access files seamlessly and securely from any location, or implementing tools like a CRM (client relationship management) system to centrally store client and prospect data for efficient management of leads and customer relationships. Your client manager should be engaged and regularly meet with firm leadership. They should focus on establishing strategic goals, addressing any concerns, and listening to how to better support your firm.
Enhanced Cybersecurity
Cyber attacks grow increasingly more sophisticated and costly every year, and threat actors view law firms as particularly lucrative targets due to the valuable, confidential data they hold. About 27% of law firms have experienced a cyber breach, according to the American Bar Association. Now more than ever, a law firm’s cybersecurity must be proactive to stay one step ahead of the criminals, and this requires a multi-faceted approach to security. A good MSP will have a team of security experts with a broad range of competencies and offer a cutting-edge suite of security tools and services to protect your firm from current and emerging threats.
Look for an MSP that incorporates multi-layered defensive strategies, including state-of-the-art anti-virus and anti-malware software, firewalls, patch and security updates, secure DNS, strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA), 24x7x365 monitoring, cyber breach response plans, and security audits. As third-party regulations become more stringent, learn about any additional services the MSP offers including security operations centers. Inquire if the MSP can share its expertise with your teams through periodic cybersecurity education and training sessions.
Day-to-Day Support
Law firms need their technology to be reliable. When your system is down, productivity and client services take a major hit. Look for an MSP with a dedicated helpdesk to provide support during and after business hours. A good MSP will have the in-house expertise to efficiently solve virtually every IT problem that your end users experience. But troubleshooting problems as they arise is not the only role of the technology support team. A good MSP will proactively maintain and service your system and equipment, with around-the-clock monitoring to pinpoint and correct small issues that could lead to a major problem down the road. Find out if the MSP offers on-site support as needed.
Backup and Business Continuity
Backup and business continuity services are crucial for every law firm in the event that a natural disaster or other emergency renders your premises and/or technology unusable. Many MSPs offer backup and business continuity services and have specialized expertise in ensuring reliable access to critical databases, specific files, and entire systems as needed. When you work with a private cloud service provider, all electronic files are regularly backed up to the private cloud. A reputable cloud service provider will have redundant systems that safely store your data in more than one data center – to protect against a natural disaster at one of the provider’s locations. Inquire if your provider’s data centers are enterprise N+1 level facilities with multiple layers of security, including biometric access controls and military-grade encryption, to ensure top-of-the-line security. Further, check that all facilities are third-party audited and that they meet all the standards required by the legal industry and your clients’ industries.
Seamless Scalability
Law firms grow and contract over time, and their technology needs evolve. You want to make sure your IT system is flexible enough to evolve with you. Look for a provider that offers month-to-month service terms rather than locking you into a long-term contract. This way, if your headcount changes or you no longer use certain services, you can easily add or remove users, and will not be stuck paying for the extra services.
Tabush Group is a leading provider of Managed IT Services and Desktop as a Service (DaaS), with a concentration in serving small to midsized law firms. To learn more about how our state-of-the-art IT solutions can make your firm’s operations more efficient and secure, contact us.