How Private Cloud Technology Aids the Legal Practice
With the persistent likelihood of cyberattacks, organizations are now increasingly pivoting to cloud computing. The volume of data corporations have stored on the cloud worldwide has doubled over seven years, rising from 30 percent in 2015 to 60 percent in 2022. Law firms are also involved in this transition, given the bespoke advantages private cloud technology holds for legal service delivery.
Cloud computing entails the availability of a suite of computer services via the Internet, such as databases and processors. The private cloud is a subset of the cloud which pertains to one organization, unlike the public cloud. While the obscurity of private clouds is not indicative of superior security, they enable law firms to adopt custom security enhancements that public clouds may not have.
Increased data security ensues when law firms incorporate private cloud technology in their operations. Physical data storage falls short of cloud storage in this regard, even with the former’s attendant firewalls. The default infrastructure of private cloud storage is more suited for sensitive information due to improved encryption, thus reducing the risk of data breaches. Incidents such as fire outbreaks and floods do not also affect cloud storage systems. There is also the ease of automatic security updates, which reduces the need for on-site updates.
Private cloud technology also aids law firms in becoming more diverse and competitive. Contemporary legal service delivery is more nuanced, requiring law firms to embrace technology and software to remain competitive. It is now a risk for larger law firms to primarily rely on conventional operational methods, as smaller firms are adopting disruptive tools. The more diverse, demanding nature of the legal practice also mandates law firms to recruit the best young professionals who are technology-savvy and prefer flexible work conditions. In essence, law firms with cloud infrastructure in place are in a better position to attract diverse talents.
There is also the consideration of cost. At first glance, the maintenance of cloud infrastructure appears more costly than that of physical infrastructure. However, the associated costs of routine checks and hardware replacements may put the overall maintenance costs of physical infrastructure at par with that of the cloud. The increased susceptibility of physical sites to data breaches and disasters means that law firms may incur additional costs. Accordingly, law firms assessing the maintenance costs of both physical and cloud infrastructure should consider the respective risks.
Furthermore, private cloud technology improves efficiency and enables law firms to worry less about server issues. Law firms of all scales require secure servers for smooth operations and data storage. Due to the high value and stakes of certain legal transactions, it would be onerous for law firms to also worry about the manual repair or maintenance of physical servers when such is automatic for cloud servers. Conversely, private cloud technology largely eases the work of law firms in this regard by eliminating self-managed servers and the need for costly, time-consuming periodic checks.
Private cloud technology eliminates the concerns of duplicate data. Regardless of the scale of a law firm, in terms of multiple offices across various locations, employees have the guarantee of reliable, accurate data. This also eases remote work, with the overall effect of yielding better decisions and eliminating any costs of database rectification. With private cloud technology, employees can easily access key records as they are contained in the same system.
