Prioritising information security is more critical now than ever before. The increasing threats posed by malicious actors, insider cyber attacks, and non-malicious data breaches underscore the importance of securing systems, especially those for documents, email and other digital communications.
This is particularly true for in-house legal teams, where legal professional privilege and confidentiality are paramount. Safeguarding confidential legal communications and documents with purpose-built, fit-for-purpose solutions is essential.
The Unique Needs of In-House Legal Teams
Legal departments have unique needs that set them apart from other functions within an organisation. While commercial functions may prioritise accessibility and collaboration in document and knowledge management, the legal function demands a heightened emphasis on security, confidentiality, and access controls.
This emphasis is critical, especially when considering the application and obligations of legal professional privilege within an in-house legal practice. According to a briefing paper by the Australian Government Solicitor, simply having legal advisers and clients involved in a communication does not automatically afford the protection of privilege. For privilege to apply, the communication must, among other criteria, be confidential.
Therefore, in-house legal teams must explore methods for confidential communications with their internal clients. One solution involves leveraging closed systems designed explicitly for this purpose, equipped to rigorously control access and safeguard sensitive matters. Additionally, communicating via a secure platform with internal clients can mitigate risks associated with unauthorised access or inadvertent modifications by IT personnel.
In addition to securing documents, emails, and other communications, there is an added complexity surrounding search functionality, necessitating adherence of confidentiality, permissions and access controls.
Educating the IT Department
The in-house legal team cannot assume that their IT counterparts fully grasp the unique security requirements of the legal department and its knowledge management needs. It falls upon legal teams to educate IT, colleagues, about these specific requirements and facilitate necessary discussions and action plans. Without such proactive measures, IT teams may default to directing legal teams to adopt the same systems and approaches used elsewhere in the business.
The Rise of End-to-End Legal Operations Platforms
Many legal teams are turning to end-to-end legal operations platforms to address these unique needs. These platforms offer a range of features tailored to the needs of legal teams, including email and document management. By using a system specifically designed for legal operations, teams can ensure that they are working in a secure environment that respects the principles of legal professional privilege and confidentiality.
The Power of Integration: iManage
For those seeking a world-class legal document management system, iManage stands out. Known for its robust features and secure architecture, iManage can seamlessly integrate with legal operations platforms to provide a comprehensive solution for secure document management.
Lawcadia and iManage: A Powerful Partnership
One such integration is Lawcadia’s iManage integration. This integration has been designed with a deep understanding of the needs of legal teams. One of its standout features is the clever synchronisation of permissions. This ensures that only the right people have access to the right information at the right time, upholding the principles of legal professional privilege and confidentiality.
Looking Ahead
In conclusion, employing secure and purpose-built systems for managing legal matters and documents is not just a nice-to-have for in-house legal teams—it’s a necessity. By leveraging the capabilities of end-to-end legal operations platforms and integrations with systems like iManage, legal teams can operate with confidence, knowing their work is secure, confidential, and efficient.
For in-house legal teams, it is imperative to engage with IT counterparts proactively. Seek their expertise and involvement to either procure legal technology solutions tailored to specific requirements or establish appropriate resources, policies, and parameters using existing technology.
Note: Additional resource from The Law Society (UK): The long read: legal professional privilege – an update for in-house lawyers.
