These benefits have been extended considerably by the Internet facilitating communication with clients and colleagues. But it has brought with it increased complexity and some unresolved issues. Any lawyer who is not planning to retire in the immediate future, must come to terms with these issues as the Internet continues to encroach upon the legal world. This is because the Internet is fast becoming the cornerstone of progressive firms' technology strategies. Moving to the Web and Changing Mindsets .
Internet architecture is at the core of the firm's ambitious plans.
The major issue for many is security, although there has not always been the same level of concern with, for example, faxes sent to a shared fax machine in counsel chambers. Some guidance has recently been forthcoming from the US, with the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility stating that as long as lawyers take reasonable steps to protect client information from unauthorized use or disclosure that an absolute expectation of privacy in a communication medium is not required, merely a reasonable expectation of such privacy. The Committee viewed email as a generic term covering a variety of communication systems between computer users. These ranged from direct communication between two computers to communication carried out via Internet services. According to the Committee's report, whether it is reasonable for a lawyer to use any particular medium to communicate with or about clients depends on the objective level of security the medium affords and the existence of laws intended to protect privacy.