Set It and Forget It Left Law Firm Vulnerable to Cyber Attack

Background:
A mid-sized law firm specializing in corporate litigation implemented a comprehensive cybersecurity plan in 2022. The plan included firewalls, antivirus software, employee training, and regular system backups. Confident in their setup, the firm adopted a “set it and forget it” mentality, assuming their defenses would remain effective indefinitely.

The Incident:
In early 2025, the firm fell victim to a ransomware attack. Hackers exploited an unpatched vulnerability in the firm’s email server software—an issue that had been resolved in a security update released months earlier. However, due to the firm’s lack of ongoing maintenance and monitoring, the patch had never been applied.

The attackers gained access through a phishing email sent to a junior associate. Once inside, they encrypted sensitive client files and demanded a hefty ransom. The breach halted operations for over a week and compromised confidential information related to several high-profile clients.

Investigation Findings:
A post-incident audit revealed several critical oversights:

• No regular updates to software or systems.
• Lack of up-to-date backups
• Outdated employee training, with no refreshers since the initial rollout.
• No active monitoring or intrusion detection systems in place.
• Lack of incident response drills, leaving staff unprepared.

Consequences:

• Loss of client trust and several key accounts.
• Legal scrutiny and regulatory fines for failing to protect client data.
• Estimated financial impact: $2.3 million in damages and lost revenue.

Lessons Learned:
Although the Set It and Forget It Left Law Firm Vulnerable to Cyber Attack, The firm revamped its cybersecurity strategy, shifting to a proactive model that includes:

• Continuous monitoring and threat detection.
• Regular software updates and vulnerability assessments.
• Quarterly employee training refreshers.
• A dedicated cybersecurity officer to oversee compliance and readiness.

Did You Know that Nieto Offers a Free Cybersecurity Overview Audit?

Visit https://nieto.com/cybersecurity to request your free cybersecurity overview audit or call us at 713-893-5667 to schedule your free overview audit today.