As legal technology grows more sophisticated and robust with each passing day, it’s harder and harder to deny that law and technology go hand in hand. Related to virtually every legal matter in today’s landscape, there is data to be gathered, analyzed, and understood, and the resulting insights must be fed back into your case strategy. Often, that data is prolific—and the wisdom it contains can be invaluable.
To ensure your practice remains ahead, it is essential to find your place at the intersection of law and technology and embrace how it empowers your team to achieve better, faster, and more effective results.
At Relativity Fest 2023, we gathered an expert panel of lawyers and technologists to teach attendees about best practices for adopting cloud technology while ensuring security remains a top priority.
Relativity’s David Horrigan led the discussion alongside two lawyers: Kenya Parrish-Dixon, VP and assistant general counsel at Celery Consulting Group; and Devon Crosbie, director of professional Services at CDS. They were also joined by two technologists: Jenna Rooney, director of client services at Arete; and Relativity Chief Security Officer Marcin Święty.
The panel covered security differences in the cloud versus on-premises tech, how to discuss cloud technology with your tech vendors to ensure your data remains secure, and how to gain internal buy-in for cloud technology.
For those who missed it—or simply want to revisit the conversation—here are some key takeaways from the session.
On-Premises Technology vs. The Cloud
When considering a move to the cloud, teams are often hesitant about losing a sense of control over where they store their data and how they protect it. While Marcin agrees that this is one of the main benefits of on-premises technology, he cited that, with cloud technology “you are standing on the shoulders of giants who are experts in handling and storing data.”
With cloud solutions, organizations can tap into mature security protocols that are already integrated into their chosen platform—which can significantly alleviate the burden on small in-house IT teams.
Devon also cited the benefits of scalability in the cloud. She said: “Cloud solutions are designed to scale effortlessly as your organization grows. These platforms come equipped with robust features and controls that are meticulously developed to meet industry standards.”
This level of sophistication can be challenging and costly to replicate in an on-premises environment.
However, all of the panelists cited the importance of due diligence and transparency when selecting a cloud vendor to ensure data security and compliance meet the needs of your organization. Make sure you ask plenty of thoughtful, strategic questions of a potential cloud or SaaS provider before going all-in on their technology and services.
Additionally, to retain a sense of control over and insight into your data and the way you use it, be sure to engage your customer success manager (CSM) within your SaaS partners frequently. Doing so can help ensure you’re staying abreast of what they’ve got on their roadmap, as well as optimizing your workflows and making the most of your investments in their offerings.
Discussing the Cloud with Vendors
Ensuring your data is secure in the cloud starts with establishing a strong sense of trust with your vendors, so you know where your data is at all times.
According to Jenna, “It’s crucial to inquire about a vendor’s level of access to your data and the methods they use to access it. Understanding how vendors handle and secure your data is essential for building trust and ensuring data privacy.”
Additionally, as AI continues to proliferate, the panelists recommended understanding your vendors’ approach to training AI models using your data, and the process for opting out if it is necessary to do so.
By maintaining an open line of communication with your vendors and ensuring transparency on both sides, you have a strong sense of how your data is secured.
Gaining Internal Buy-In
Once you’ve selected a vendor that you know you can trust to protect your data in the cloud, one of the biggest hurdles is overcoming resistance within your organization—and that resistance to adopt cloud solutions is often rooted in discomfort. This is the time to demonstrate the strong relationship you’ve built with your vendor, answer questions, and help get stakeholders and users across your organization on board.
You should be able to lean on your CSM for this effort, too. Reach out and ask them what educational and onboarding materials and working sessions they can provide, or even facilitate, to help you bring your colleagues up to speed.
Kenya also recommended looking to industry experts for guidance on cloud adoption statistics and best practices. Observing how leading organizations in the field leverage cloud technology can provide valuable insights and help build a case for internal buy-in.
Whichever strategies you decide to take for getting everyone on board for the cloud, ensuring that you effectively communicating the benefits and security measures associated with the cloud is paramount.
Andie Linker is a member of the product marketing team at Relativity.
