Matthew Stringer, founder and CEO of Stridon
By Matthew Stringer, Founder & CEO at Legal Futures Associate Stridon
In the push to modernise legal IT, law firms are constantly balancing three competing priorities: security, usability and scalability.
The challenge?
You can usually optimise for two, but rarely all three at once.
This tension is especially acute for SME law firms, where resources are limited, expectations are high and the stakes are even higher. So how do you strike the right balance?
Competing priorities
Imagine a triangle with three points:
- Make it secure
- Make it easy
- Make it scalable (or affordable)
Most firms can achieve two. But trying to maximise all three often leads to compromise – either in protection, performance or cost. The key is knowing where to invest, and where to adapt.
Security without friction
Security must be implemented in a way that supports productivity, not hinder it. When controls are too restrictive, people often find workarounds, which can increase risk. A balanced approach keeps data protected without disrupting workflows, crucial in high-pressure legal environments.
Security is non-negotiable. But it shouldn’t slow your firm down.
Threat actors are evolving fast and becoming more sophisticated by the day using automation, cloud infrastructure and generative AI to scale attacks. Law firms are now among the top three most targeted sectors globally, due to the sensitive nature of their data and the clients they serve.
Yet the weakest link remains the human behind the keyboard. Phishing, social engineering and business email compromise are still the most common, and successful, methods of attack.
That’s why security awareness training, advanced endpoint protection and identity governance are all essential. But they must be implemented in ways that support, not hinder, your team’s productivity.
Usability drives adoption
If your security tools frustrate your team, they’ll find workarounds. And that’s where usability becomes critical.
In their day-to-day work, legal professionals need quick access to documents, secure client communication and seamless collaboration across teams and devices. When deployed securely, AI solutions like Microsoft 365 Copilot, can enhance usability by optimising routine tasks, summarising case law and streamlining client communications, all within the familiar Microsoft ecosystem.
But without the right controls, data governance and training, Copilot can also introduce risk. That’s why pairing it with Microsoft 365 E5 is so important.
While Copilot enhances productivity by optimising tasks and surfacing insights, it operates within your Microsoft 365 environment, meaning it has access to sensitive emails, documents and client data. Without E5’s advanced security and compliance tools, firms risk exposing confidential information, mismanaging permissions, or missing signs of misuse.
Together, E5 and Copilot enable law firms to unlock AI-driven efficiency while maintaining control, visibility and trust, ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at the cost of security.
Scalability with control
Scalability isn’t just about growing, it’s about staying resilient. Can your firm adapt quickly to new threats, new tools and new ways of working?
Microsoft 365 E5 gives you a platform that grows with your firm. It includes built-in security and compliance features to help you manage risk, stay in control and keep costs predictable as your needs evolve.
It’s a simple, central way to stay secure and flexible—no matter what comes next.
Tailored risk management is key
Every law firm is different. A tailored risk assessment helps identify the most critical vulnerabilities based on your firm’s structure, client base and operational model. This ensures that cybersecurity investments are targeted and effective.
No two law firms are the same. Practice areas, client profiles and internal capabilities vary widely. That’s why a risk-based approach, tuned to your firm’s structure and goals, is essential.
Whether you have an internal IT team or rely on external partners, your cybersecurity strategy should reflect your firm’s unique exposure and priorities.
Next steps
When it comes to cyber security, if your firm is struggling to balance security, usability, and scalability then it might be a good time to seek out expert advice. Here are some next steps you can take:
- Click here to download Stridon’s Cyber Threat Briefing for law firms – a concise overview of the key threats and how to tackle them
- Book on one of our free cyber security webinars which you can find out more about here – https://insights.stridon.co.uk/cyber-webinar-series
- Book a meeting with Stridon’s cybersecurity team to explore how your firm can stay protected – without slowing down. Just email us with your availability at insights@stridon.co.uk.
