25% of Surveyed UK Law Firms Misplaced PDAs with Confidential Data
Nearly a quarter of British law firms responding to a survey reported misplacing at least one mobile device containing confidential information.
Credant Technology is using the survey of 100 law firms to point out the danger of disclosing sensitive data, even on devices that are password-protected, Legal Blog Watch reports. The company warns in a press release that a hacker or identity thief is “cleverer than the average lawyer.”
The survey (PDF) also found that one in five lawyers use their own mobile devices to store sensitive information. It calls that finding “a disclosure which will throw every respecting IT department into total apoplexy” because the technology experts can’t secure the devices or back them up.
The press release quotes technology security consultant Robert Schifreen, a former hacker, on the dangers of lost mobile devices. “Passwords are just inadequate if you have confidential sensitive information residing on a mobile device,” he said. “You can download cracking software from Google that can break the average password in less than 30 minutes. These findings show just how naïve the legal profession is when it comes to data security.”
Credant warns lawyers who store sensitive data on their personal digital assistants that they must encrypt the information. The company says law firms should also buy technology that detects devices trying to connect and sync up to their information.
