Why Your Law Firm Needs a Cybersecurity Program Before Adopting AI

Yashar Daf
Sep 21
3 min read

AI is no longer a distant concept in the legal world, it’s here, transforming how lawyers handle discovery, case analysis, and client files. But before your firm adopts any AI platform, there’s a critical foundation that cannot be skipped: a cybersecurity program.

Without one, your firm risks exposing sensitive client data, violating professional obligations, and opening the door to regulatory or reputational consequences.

The Reality of Cyber Risk in Law Firms

Law firms are prime targets for cyberattacks. They hold what hackers want most: sensitive client data, financial records, medical information, and confidential case files. According to the American Bar Association, nearly 30% of law firms have experienced a security breach, and among those, over half lost confidential client data.

Now add AI to the mix. AI platforms rely on data ingestion feeding your documents, transcripts, and case materials into an engine to generate insights. If your cybersecurity program isn’t mature, every upload could represent a potential breach.

Why AI Demands Stronger Security

AI tools don’t exist in isolation. They touch multiple points in your IT and legal workflow:

Document upload and storage – Is data encrypted at rest and in transit?
Access controls – Who within the firm can upload or access client files?
Third-party vendors – Is your AI provider SOC 2 or PHIPA compliant?
Retention and deletion – Can you guarantee client files are securely erased when no longer needed?

If your cybersecurity program isn’t built to answer these questions, you may be putting both your firm and your clients at risk.

The Core Elements of a Cybersecurity Program for AI Readiness

Before adopting AI, your firm should establish:

Governance & Policies Clear rules around data classification, access, and vendor management. Alignment with recognized frameworks such as NIST CSF 2.0 or OSFI B-13 ensures your policies meet industry best practices.
Access & Identity Controls Multi-factor authentication, role-based access, and privilege reviews to prevent unauthorized data exposure.
Encryption & Data Protection Ensure all data uploaded into AI systems is encrypted (AES-256 or higher) both at rest and in transit.
Incident Response & Breach Management A playbook that defines how your firm responds to a breach including notification obligations under PHIPA (Canada) or HIPAA (U.S.) if client health data is involved.
Vendor Due Diligence Review your AI provider’s certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001, PHIPA compliance) and contracts. Demand clarity on data ownership and deletion rights.
Training & Awareness Staff need to recognize phishing, suspicious emails, and misuse of AI. Your people are your first line of defense.

Building Trust with Clients

Clients are already asking tough questions: “Will my data be safe if you use AI?” or “Where is my information being stored?”

Having a cybersecurity program in place lets you answer confidently:

Yes, your data is encrypted.
Yes, we’ve vetted our AI vendor’s compliance.
Yes, we have clear policies for access, retention, and deletion.

Trust isn’t built by adopting AI. Trust is built by showing that you take data security as seriously as legal strategy.

Final Thought

AI has the potential to save lawyers hundreds of hours each year. But without a cybersecurity program, you’re putting that efficiency gain at the expense of risk.

The right sequence is clear: First, strengthen your firm’s cybersecurity posture. Then, adopt AI with confidence.

Your clients expect nothing less.