Can Law Firms Use the Cloud? 4 Things You Should Know
Since law firms have a large amount of sensitive information to handle with cases and clients, they need reliable storage software to store and protect it all. For this and multiple other reasons, law firms are starting to switch to cloud storage.
Law firms can use the cloud to store client and case information. The main reasons firms are doing this are because the cloud is more efficient and less expensive.
The following article is a more detailed look at a few reasons why law firms are switching to the cloud. It also includes a brief explanation on a main disadvantage that can come with switching to a cloud-based storage system.
Benefits of Using The Cloud
The main benefits that law firms get from using the cloud include:
- Saving money
- Having a more efficient system
- Confidentiality and reliability
These benefits make Cloud storage much better than on-site data management for law firms.
Each year, more and more law firms are switching to cloud-based storage systems or are at least thinking about making the switch. The amount of law firms that use cloud storage is growing because of the reasons explained below.
Cloud Storage Systems Save Money
Using an on-site storage system can cost law firms a significant amount of money. But with cloud-based storage, law firms can save on data management costs by allowing the firms to scale how much storage they need.
It’s usually very expensive for a law firm to establish an on-site storage system. But with cloud-based storage, law firms can scale how much storage they need and how much that amount of storage will cost. For example, smaller or medium-sized law firms need a smaller amount of storage since they don’t have as much information to store, but larger firms will need more storage since they have more information to store.
When a law firm tries to scale how much storage they need with on-sight systems, it’s usually very expensive and challenging to do so. But with cloud storage, law firms can focus on growing their practice without worrying about paying for extra equipment or IT staff.
Cloud Storage Systems Are More Efficient
The storage system at a law firm is used for a variety of tasks other than just storing information. Cloud systems are typically much more efficient than on-site storage systems and save law firms significant time and energy.
The primary purpose of a storage system is to store information securely. But law firms need to do much more than keep their case and client information safe. A few other things that law firms need to do include:
- Scheduling cases and appointments
- Sending out invoices
- Paying their employees
- Creating legal documents
- Filing legal documents
Fortunately, cloud storage systems are able to do each of those tasks efficiently. Whenever a law firm employee does any of the aforementioned tasks, it’s streamlined to the cloud. This means that anyone within the law firm can access the document if need be. This makes completing tasks and work much more efficient, leaving more time for the law firm to focus on their clients and cases.
Cloud Storage Systems Are More Confidential and Reliable
Cloud systems employ multiple features to keep a law firm’s private information confidential. The system is also extremely reliable, so law firms don’t have to worry about losing their data to a crash.
The most important elements of the storage system a law firm uses are confidentiality and reliability. Since there is a vast amount of sensitive information, whether it’s for clients or court cases, it’s vital that a law firm’s storage system keeps that information private. Even though the cloud storage system spans across multiple servers, the information will still be kept confidential.
The cloud storage system has developed significantly since it was first introduced years ago, so much so that it’s often more secure than most on-site storage systems. A few of the features that cloud storage systems use to protect information include:
- End-to-end encryption
- Expert IT staff members
- Backup servers
But cloud storage systems don’t just employ technological safety measures to keep data confidential. The systems are managed by a physical company, and they also use safety measures to protect data. A few of the safety measures they use include security cameras with 24/7 coverage and securely locked rooms.
On top of being extremely safe, cloud storage systems are very reliable. The system has a backup server in case the primary server crashes, meaning that all of a law firm’s data will still be protected and safe on the backup server. This makes the risk of losing sensitive data to an error or breach much lower.
Disadvantage of Using The Cloud
The main disadvantage that keeps law firms from switching to the cloud is the switching process itself. Fortunately, there are ways to work around this disadvantage that will ultimately make cloud storage a better choice for law firms.
In order to get a law firm’s information from their on-site system to the cloud system, there has to be a migration process. This refers to the process of moving the firm’s data from its old system to the new cloud-based system.
Moving the data can be difficult, but it can be made easier if the law firm selects a highly reviewed cloud storage system and finds out what’s required for moving the data. If the firm has a good idea about the company they want to use and the things required to move the data, then the migration process will be much easier.
Final Thoughts
Making the switch to a cloud-based storage system is usually the best way for law firms to keep their case and client information safe for everyone involved. With its multiple security features and cost-effective efficiency, it’s no surprise that more and more law firms are making the switch to cloud storage as the years go by.
Websites used:
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/law-firms-are-switching-to-cloud-here-s-why
https://www.aderant.com/think-tank/law-firm-cloud-migration/
