Cybersecurity: Big Brother is Watching You

Andrew Ferguson shares a firsthand account of a ransomware attack that severely disrupted his mid-sized litigation firm. He outlines the rising frequency and sophistication of cyber threats affecting the legal sector and explains why law firms are increasingly targeted, citing their sensitive data, financial value, and reliance on outdated technology. Drawing from his experience, he describes how attackers gain access, exfiltrate data, and attempt extortion, and he walks through the immediate and long-term responses his firm undertook, including client notification, system rebuilding, and communication with regulatory and professional bodies. The presentation also emphasizes the emotional and reputational toll such incidents carry and encourages legal professionals to proactively assess their vulnerabilities, secure offsite backups, establish incident response plans, and consider engaging breach counsel. Ferguson’s insights offer both a warning and a roadmap for firms seeking to improve their cyber preparedness.