But as every nation and army has discovered, often the greatest threat to security comes not from beyond the castle's walls, but from within. Indeed, interviews with technical and security experts, as well as law firm technology directors, reveal that security breaches are much more likely to originate from within the office than from without. Vulnerability via Internet pathways remains an issue, but one that has been mitigated by increasingly sophisticated technology. Firewalls, encryption, virus checking software and improved operating systems and Web browsers work to keep data safe from prying eyes and covert keyboards. Yet maintaining effective security within the firm has proven more elusive.
Effective security means more than simply stocking up on the latest electronic bells and whistles.
It means in-house policies, procedures, education and awareness. External Threats Without question, computer networks that allow access from beyond the office raise important security concerns. As a growing number of lawyers begin to use laptops on the road and PCs at home, remote access has evolved from a perk to a necessity. At Wilmer Cutler, for example, all attorneys can access E-mail from outside the office. The design of the system prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to important and often confidential internal files.