One of the fundamental, cornerstone principles of the American legal system is the concept of attorney–client privilege. Black’s Law Dictionary defines this common law concept as a “client’s right to refuse to disclose and to prevent any other person from disclosing confidential communications between the client and the attorney.” In the days before computers and email, to maintain the confidentiality of such sensitive communications, one could easily lock them in a safe or otherwise physically conceal them from prying eyes. Think of it as old-school legal IT.

With the advent of email communications, computer networks, and cloud computing, all that changed. For a law firm working with the electronic tools typical of a 21st-century office, it’s like walking through a dangerous neighborhood with hundred-dollar bills sticking out of your pockets. It’s too much of a temptation. Various types of malware, viruses, and hackers could be lurking around every corner, plotting to take your organization down—along with your clients and their interests. Your company’s digital security is under constant threat.