For businesses, getting hacked is no longer a matter of if, but when. This is the general consensus among today’s IT experts. Law firms are no exception.
In fact, because law firms are known to store private client data, they can even become a target. As an attorney, it is your responsibility to keep clients’ confidential details safe. As hackers’ methods become more sophisticated, your cybersecurity measures needs to stay one step ahead.
Short and Complex or Long and Simple?
First off, let’s define these terms:
Short vs. Long – There is no magic number to make your password secure, but for our purposes, we’ll refer to “short” passwords as ones with 8 characters or less, and “long” passwords with 9 characters or more.
Complex v. Simple – We’ll call this “the complexity spectrum.” A password with a variety of characters is considered more complex. For example, passwords with a mixture of upper and lower-case letters, symbols, and numbers are considered complex. Passwords without this variation, like “lawyer,” are considered more simple. Generally, the more complex the password, the more secure the password is considered.
It might surprise you to learn that longer passwords are actually more secure than even the most complex short passwords. The simple fact is, the longer the password, the harder it is to crack.
What Should My Passwords Look Like?
Ideally, the most secure passwords feature a combination of complexity and length. Before you roll your eyes and think, “I’ll never remember a password like that,” consider that these combinations only need to be difficult for a machine, not difficult for you.
For example, “Ilovedoggs!” is a secure password because it combines upper and lower case letters, uses a symbol, and misspells the word “dog” (which confuses dictionary-searching hacking programs). This kind of password is also easy for you to remember, provided you do indeed love dogs. For a complete guide on how to create a secure password, check out this resource.
One person with a secure password isn’t enough to protect your whole firm. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect your clients’ data. Ensure everyone at your firm has a secure password by setting password requirements for each employee.
With everyone using a secure password, you can significantly reduce your firm’s risk of a security breach. Remember, however, your law firm is never fully safe. Stay on top of advances in technology and hacking trends to ensure the continued safety of your law firm’s data.
CASEpeer is secure case management software designed for personal injury attorneys. From intake to settlement, our robust features help law firms become more proactive and powerful. Our goal is to help your law firm grow. For more security and practice management tips, visit our blog.
