BullWall for the Legal Sector

Ransomware attacks increasingly target the sensitive data that law firms manage. In the UK, successful cyber attacks against law firms surged by 77%, rising from 538 incidents in 2023 to 954 in 2024. This escalation is mainly due to the valuable personal and financial information these firms hold, which attackers use for ransom demands or sell on the dark web.

A SUCCESSFUL RANSOMWARE ATTACK DOES MORE DAMAGE THAN SIMPLY REDUCING THE BANK BALANCE.

The most obvious impact of a ransomware attack is financial. However, this is often the least costly impact of an attack that an organization faces. For instance, In 2021, Campbell Conroy & O’Neil, a U.S. law firm representing major corporations like Apple and Boeing, was hit by a ransomware attack, exposing sensitive client data and leading to legal repercussions. The reputational damage of this attack was crippling, even before the firm factored in the loss of revenue and recovery costs.

Why BullWall?

BullWall provides a specialized ransomware containment solution that protects legal organizations from ransomware that has bypassed their preventative security solutions.

By instantly detecting and halting ransomware attacks before attackers can encrypt or exfiltrate data, BullWall protects you from not only the financial impact of an attack but also the loss of reputation that an attack would cause.

Request a Demo

77%

surge in ransomware attacks against the legal sector in the last 12 months

$2.47M

is the average ransomware demand

Today's family lawyer

Comparitech

TOP legal Firms TRUST BULLWALL

HOW LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS BECOME A RANSOMWARE TARGET

PHISHING EMAILS

Cybercriminals send fake emails that appear to be from trusted sources (clients, courts, government agencies) to bait partners, associates or staff into clicking on harmful links or attachments.

99%

of the UK’s top 100 law firms lack sufficient measures to protect themselves against email fraud, indicating widespread susceptibility to phishing attacks.

Exploiting Unpatched Software & Vulnerabilities

Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, operating systems, or legal practice management tools to breach defences. The most common targets are Microsoft Exchange, VPNs, case management software, and outdated Windows versions.

<!>

In 2023, attackers used the MOVEit file transfer vulnerability to breach multiple law firms.

Insider Threats (Malicious or Negligent Employees)

Despite IT security training, some employees may disable security settings, ignore warnings, or fall victim to scams. In addition, disgruntled employees may deliberately act against the organization for financial gain.

60%

of identified data breaches in the UK legal sector were caused by insiders, per data from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office.

The Impact

The impact of a ransomware attack has far-reaching consequences for legal firms, which makes the initial financial cost seem almost trivial by comparison.

Reputational Damage

A ransomware attack on a law firm can severely damage its reputation, leading to a loss of client trust, as clients may seek their legal services elsewhere due to confidentiality concerns. If the breach results in the public exposure of sensitive information, it can attract widespread media attention, further tarnishing the firm’s image. Even after recovery, the lasting impact on the firm’s reputation may cause long-term client loss, especially in industries where confidentiality is critical.

Legal and Compliance Consequences

If sensitive client data is exposed or compromised in a ransomware attack, the firm could face penalties for violating data protection laws such as GDPR or HIPAA. Clients may also file lawsuits for failing to protect their data, especially if it results in financial or reputational harm. Additionally, regulatory bodies may initiate investigations, potentially imposing fines or requiring the firm to revise its cybersecurity practices.

Loss of Sensitive Information

A ransomware attack on a law firm can compromise sensitive data, such as legal case files, financial information, and intellectual property, leading to severe consequences for both the firm and its clients. If private client information is exposed, it can undermine attorney-client privilege, a fundamental right in legal practice. Additionally, the loss or corruption of critical case files and legal documents can disrupt ongoing litigation, causing delays and potentially negatively affecting case outcomes.

What would a ransomware attack cost you?

Calculate Cost

Ransomware resilience is now essential. Cybersecurity teams must be ready to contain and recover swiftly, recognizing that blocking every threat is no longer possible.

Brian Murphy Head of Cybersecurity at MJ Flood Technology

What is Ransomware Resilience?

Ransomware resilience is the ability to prevent, contain, and respond to ransomware attacks, minimizing damage and ensuring rapid recovery of data and operations to maintain business continuity.

Prevention

Reduce the risk of disruptions to operations, which can be costly and damaging to productivity.

Containment

Minimize the impact to business operations when ransomware gets through, and significantly reduce recovery efforts.

Recovery

Resilient organizations recover quickly to limit operational downtime and return stronger.

Think You’re Ransomware Resilient? Find Out for sure.

Book Assessment

Be Ransomware Ready… with BullWall

BullWall's unique approach to ransomware provides server-based protection without an endpoint agent to secure critical IT infrastructure and maintain operational continuity across all stages of an attack—before, during, and after.

Phishing emails are the easiest way for cybercriminals to get in and access the valuable data that law firms possess.

Cybercriminals use phishing emails to exploit the weakest link in the security chain – the human link.

Once the payload triggers, BullWall instantly isolates and quarantines the user and stops the attack.

Phishing emails are the easiest way for cybercriminals to get in and access the valuable data that law firms possess.

Cybercriminals use phishing emails to exploit the weakest link in the security chain – the human link.

Once the payload triggers, BullWall instantly isolates and quarantines the user and stops the attack.

Known weaknesses and unpatched systems are easy targets for ransomware attackers.

BullWall prevents the spread of ransomware attacks, protecting the law firm, its critical operations and sensitive client data, even on legacy infrastructure.

BullWall addresses unpatched software and systems to protect the legal sector from ransomware.

Known weaknesses and unpatched systems are easy targets for ransomware attackers.

BullWall prevents the spread of ransomware attacks, protecting the law firm, its critical operations and sensitive client data, even on legacy infrastructure.

BullWall addresses unpatched software and systems to protect the legal sector from ransomware.

The actions of associates and staff, either knowingly or unintentionally, can represent a threat to the organization.

BullWall helps eliminate the threat by instantly containing attacks, ensuring your firm and client data stay secure.

BullWall protects against insider threats, whether they are malicious or unintentional.

The actions of associates and staff, either knowingly or unintentionally, can represent a threat to the organization.

BullWall helps eliminate the threat by instantly containing attacks, ensuring your firm and client data stay secure.

BullWall protects against insider threats, whether they are malicious or unintentional.

Request a Demo

Bullwall Ransomware Containment Get The Ransomware Kill Switch

Our ransomware containment product immediately contains and neutralizes a ransomware attack.

Learn More

BullWall Server Intrusion Protection Safeguard Servers from Ransomware

Our SIP product reduces breach risk by securing remote server access and critical server tasks.

LEARN MORE

BullWall Virtual Server Protection Protect Your Virtual Environment

Our VSP product protects your VMware vSphere and ESXi platforms from ransomware.

Learn More

Related Resources

On Demand Webinar: Ransomware Resilience in Law

Solution Brief: Legal Sector

Ransomware attacks increasingly target the sensitive data that lawfirms manage. In the UK, successful cyber attacks against law firmssurged by 77%, rising from 538 incidents...

Download

Why BullWall?

BullWall Company Overview: Ransomware Protection for Critical Infrastructure

Download