Big Mode Consulting
    Back to Managed IT

    Cybersecurity for Law Firms: ABA-Compliant Managed Security

    Last updated:

    A dedicated cybersecurity service for law firms that maps to ABA Model Rule 1.6, Formal Opinions 477R and 483, your cyber insurance requirements, and the specific controls your state bar expects. Available standalone or bundled with our managed IT.

    What's Included

    Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)

    Modern EDR on every workstation and laptop, not just basic antivirus. Continuous behavioral monitoring with managed remediation.

    Email Security

    Phishing protection, attachment scanning, and DMARC enforcement on top of Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace native filtering.

    MFA Enforcement

    Multi factor authentication enforced (not just available) on every cloud app touching client data, with conditional access policies.

    Vulnerability Scanning

    Authenticated scans across endpoints, servers, and cloud configurations, with prioritized remediation tickets.

    Incident Response Retainer

    Documented runbook, on call analysts, and an established relationship so you are not shopping for an IR firm at 2 AM.

    Security Awareness Training

    Quarterly phishing simulations and CLE eligible training tailored to legal practice. Reporting you can show your insurance carrier.

    ABA Documentation Pack

    Written policies, access logs, and audit evidence aligned with ABA Model Rule 1.6, Formal Opinion 477R, and your state bar opinions.

    Pricing Model

    Per user monthly fee that scales with firm size and selected modules. Typical ranges:

    • Solo and small firms: $40 to $75 per user per month
    • Mid size firms: $60 to $100 per user per month
    • Incident response retainer: $5,000 to $25,000 annual minimum, credited against actual response hours

    Who It's For

    Firms that already have IT (in house or another MSP) but need legal specialized security on top. Firms preparing for SOC 2 or vendor due diligence from enterprise clients. Firms that recently failed a cyber insurance renewal. Firms that experienced an incident and want to lock in proper controls before the next one.

    Integrates With Managed IT

    If you already use our managed IT service for law firms, the security controls listed above are bundled at no additional per user fee, only the incident response retainer is priced separately. Standalone cybersecurity is for firms keeping their existing IT provider.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    It depends on your existing setup. If you already have a managed IT provider that bundles security adequately, you may not need a separate service. If your current MSP charges security as an upsell, treats EDR as optional, or has no documented incident response, a dedicated cybersecurity service fills the gap. Most law firms get the best value by bundling both with one legal specialized provider.

    Law firms have ethical obligations under ABA Model Rule 1.6 to protect client confidentiality, plus state bar opinions that prescribe specific controls (MFA, encryption, incident response). Generic small business security focuses on commodity threats. Legal cybersecurity layers in privilege aware support workflows, attorney-client communication encryption, conflict of interest considerations in vendor selection, and documentation that survives a bar inquiry.

    It is a pre signed agreement that guarantees response time and locks in pricing before an incident happens. Coverage typically includes 24/7 on call analysts, forensics, containment, communication support (clients, insurance, regulators per ABA Formal Opinion 483), and post incident remediation. Without a retainer, hiring an IR firm during a live event costs 2 to 4 times more and takes days to engage.

    Yes. Our standard cybersecurity stack maps to the controls required by major carriers (Coalition, Beazley, At Bay, Travelers, Chubb). EDR, MFA, encrypted backup, security awareness training, and incident response are all explicit requirements on most applications. We provide the attestation language and evidence packets you need at renewal.

    Ready to harden your firm?

    Request a free security assessment, we will map your current posture against ABA requirements and your insurer's checklist.

    Request a Security Assessment

    About the Author

    Mauro Gonzalez is the founder of Big Mode Consulting with over a decade of experience in legal technology and enterprise IT. As a Clio Certified Partner and Filevine implementation specialist, he has helped 50+ law firms modernize their technology stacks. He specializes in case management implementation, managed IT services, and ABA-compliant cybersecurity solutions.