By Legal Futures’ Associate Lawyer Checker
Lancashire based law firm, Houldsworth Solicitors have significantly enhanced their security risk framework by implementing an army of three new cyber risk products to defend itself from fraudulent activity.
With two centuries of legal expertise, Houldsworth Solicitors understands the catastrophic implications of not having robust systems in place to mitigate the risk of fraud.
To strengthen their risk management, the firm have installed Lawyer Checker’s innovative Account & Entity Screen (AES), which verifies the legitimacy of the law firm on the other side of the transaction, along with OnDMARC – which is a vital layer in protecting against email modification fraud.
The risk adverse firm has also been awarded with Cyber Essentials certification, a Government backed accreditation scheme, through accredited assessor, Practical Vision Network. The National Centre for Cyber Security has identified the legal sector as a top target for cyber criminals. The sensitive data, large sums of money and important information that is held needs protecting to avoid severe damage to clients and business reputation.
Cyber Essentials is a ‘must have’ certification for law firms which gives firms peace of mind that they have done everything possible to shield themselves from cyber risk.
Practical Vision Network, incorporating leading risk management solutions provider, Lawyer Checker, who is best known for its pioneering conveyancing risk tool AES, has developed its portfolio to include a range of cyber risk products.
With bogus law firms ever present, along with the threat of data breaches and email modification fraud, which is a law firm’s biggest risk, Houldsworth Solicitors wanted to highlight to their customers, their regulators, the ICO and cyber criminals that they take cyber security seriously.
John Houldsworth, solicitor and director at Houldsworth Solicitors said: “We recognised the imminent threat of fraud on our business. We, therefore, approached Lawyer Checker to help protect the firm and our clients as we required the best defences against cyber attacks associated with money transactions.
“As cyber criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated at conning law firms we needed vigorous measures to alleviate risk.”
Situated in Clitheroe and Whalley, established Houldsworth Solicitors specialises in most areas of law and take a personal approach with experienced professionals dedicated to specific areas of law. The firm’s exceptional strong team deliver high standards of service, along with legal expertise and flexibility to their clients.
With cyber criminals becoming more and more sophisticated and widespread in the UK, law firms will continue to face increasing cyber threats. Lawyer Checker’s cyber risk products portfolio, including Account & Entity Screen, Consumer Bank Account Checker and OnDMARC software plus Cyber Essentials certification can reassure firms that they are protecting their business and their clients to the best of their abilities.
