IT Support for Law Firms & Solicitors
Security-first, cloud-native IT infrastructure designed for modern legal practices. We work alongside your existing IT resources to secure your infrastructure, protect client confidentiality, and ensure SRA compliance.
Cloud Security Specialists | Cyber Essentials | Co-Managed IT
Modern Legal Practices Face Complex IT Challenges:
- SRA compliance requirements for technology security and client data protection
- Client confidentiality and legal privilege must be maintained across cloud systems
- Cyber security threats targeting law firms for client data and banking details
- Remote working security for fee earners accessing matter management systems
- PI insurance requirements increasingly demanding Cyber Essentials certification
We don't provide generic IT support. We architect secure, compliant cloud infrastructure specifically for legal practices handling sensitive client matters.
Not sure which tier fits your business? Book a free 20-minute consultation - we'll assess your setup and recommend the right fit. No pressure, no sales pitch.
Why Law Firms Are Prime Targets for Cyber Attacks
of UK law firms experienced a cyber security incident in the past year
average cost of a data breach for small-mid law firms
of cyber insurance claims now require Cyber Essentials
Law Firms Hold High-Value Data That Criminals Target:
🎯 Client Data & Banking Details
Conveyancing fraud, fraudulent payment redirects, and identity theft targeting your clients through compromised email accounts.
📄 Confidential Legal Matters
M&A deals, intellectual property, divorce settlements, and commercial disputes—information that can be ransomed or sold to competitors.
💰 Client Account Access
Criminals target law firm banking credentials to redirect six-figure property transactions and client funds.
⚖️ Professional Privilege
Data breaches don't just cost money—they breach client confidentiality and can trigger SRA investigations and PI claims.
The SRA Takes IT Security Seriously
The SRA Standards and Regulations require firms to "ensure that your systems and procedures for monitoring and protecting confidential information and data are effective" (Outcome 7.5). Basic IT support won't satisfy this requirement—you need security-first architecture.
Reactive IT support is insufficient. Law firms need proactive security architecture that prevents breaches before they happen.
At HiltDigital, we're cloud security specialists who happen to provide support, not support companies dabbling in security.
Why Law Firms Choose HiltDigital
We're not another generic MSP offering commodity IT support. We're cloud security specialists who understand the unique requirements of legal practices.
Security-First Architecture
We design infrastructure around SRA compliance, client confidentiality, and legal privilege protection—not as afterthoughts, but as foundational requirements. Multi-layered security that contains breaches, two-step verification for all access, and ransomware-proof backups are standard, not optional extras.
Cloud-Native Specialists
We're Microsoft cloud security specialists. We design secure remote access that lets your fee earners work from anywhere while protecting client confidentiality. Your matter management systems (Clio, LexisNexis, PracticeEvolve) remain secure whether you're at your desk, in court, or working from home—with bank-grade security protecting every connection.
Co-Managed IT Model
We work alongside your existing IT resources—we don't demand you fire your current IT person or provider. You keep existing relationships for day-to-day support; we provide the specialist security and cloud architecture layer. This hybrid approach gives you enterprise-grade security without losing responsive local support.
Proactive Monitoring, Not Reactive Support
24/7 threat detection and automated response systems. We identify and neutralize security threats before they impact your practice. When ransomware attempts to encrypt your files, our systems block it automatically—you won't even know it happened.
Legal Practice Specialists
We understand court deadlines, completion deadlines, SRA compliance requirements, and client account security. When your matter management system goes down on a Friday afternoon before a Monday hearing, we treat it as the emergency it is—15-minute response time.
Compliance Specialists
Cyber Essentials certified (we practice what we preach), SRA compliance support, GDPR/ICO guidance, and documentation for PI insurers. We don't just implement security—we provide the evidence documentation your insurers and the SRA require.
The difference: Commodity MSPs wait for your call when things break. We prevent the problems that destroy law firms during critical completion periods.
Ready to See Where You Stand?
Choose your starting point:
The Co-Managed IT Model: Work With Your Existing IT
Many law firms already have IT relationships—an internal IT person, a local break-fix provider, or informal arrangements with tech-savvy staff members. We don't ask you to fire them.
Instead, we work alongside your existing IT resources in a co-managed model. Think of it as having both a GP and a specialist consultant: your existing IT handles day-to-day support (password resets, printer issues, basic troubleshooting), while we provide the specialist layer for cloud security architecture, compliance, and strategic infrastructure.
Your Existing IT Handles:
- Day-to-day user support requests
- Password resets and account unlocks
- Basic software troubleshooting
- Hardware setup (laptops, printers)
- Local network issues
- User training on software
Responsive, knows your team, handles immediate needs
HiltDigital Provides:
- Cloud security architecture (Azure, M365)
- Cyber Essentials certification
- 24/7 threat monitoring & incident response
- Strategic IT planning & infrastructure design
- SRA compliance documentation
- Ransomware protection & disaster recovery
- Legal practice software integration (Clio, LexisNexis)
- Cloud migration & modernization projects
Specialist expertise, proactive security, compliance focus
Why This Model Works for Law Firms:
✓ Keep Existing Relationships
Don't lose your responsive local IT person. They know your team, understand your workflows, and provide immediate support when needed.
✓ Enterprise-Grade Security Without Enterprise Costs
You get bank-grade security architecture and compliance expertise without hiring a full-time CISO or security team.
✓ Clear Escalation Path
When your existing IT encounters security or cloud infrastructure issues beyond their expertise, they escalate to us. No finger-pointing, just collaboration.
✓ Flexible Engagement
If you don't have existing IT resources, we can provide comprehensive coverage. If you have a strong IT team but need specialist security expertise, we fill that gap. The model adapts to your needs.
Real-World Example:
A 12-solicitor conveyancing practice had a part-time IT contractor handling support tickets. We added the security layer: implemented Azure Virtual Desktop for secure remote access, achieved Cyber Essentials certification for PI insurance requirements, and deployed ransomware protection. The existing IT contractor continues handling day-to-day support—users still have the same responsive contact they're comfortable with. We handle the architecture, monitoring, and compliance that the contractor couldn't provide.
Result: Best of both worlds—responsive support and enterprise security.
Cloud Infrastructure for Modern Legal Practices
We're not IT support providers who've learned some cloud buzzwords. We're Azure and Microsoft 365 architects who design secure, compliant cloud infrastructure specifically for legal practices handling sensitive client matters.
Our Cloud Architecture Philosophy:
Law firms require more than "cloud migration"—you need secure remote access for fee earners, client data protection that maintains legal privilege, and infrastructure that integrates with matter management systems while satisfying SRA requirements. We design this from the ground up.
☁️ Azure Virtual Desktop for Secure Remote Working
The challenge: Fee earners need secure access to matter management systems, client files, and email from home offices, court, and client sites—without exposing your network to security risks.
Our solution: We provide secure cloud desktops (Azure Virtual Desktop) with bank-grade security for remote access. Your fee earners get a secure workspace they can access from anywhere, but client data never touches their personal devices. If a laptop is lost or stolen, your client files remain secure in the cloud.
- Two-step verification (like banking apps) required for all access
- Smart security rules automatically block suspicious login attempts—wrong location, unknown device, or risky behavior
- Activity logs for SRA compliance and PI claims defense
- Seamless integration with matter management systems
📊 Microsoft 365 Security Architecture
We architect Microsoft 365 specifically for law firms, not generic business deployments:
- Stop accidental data leaks: Automatically prevents fee earners from accidentally sending client files to personal email or unauthorized recipients
- Block conveyancing fraud: Advanced email protection stops phishing attacks that trick your staff into redirecting client payments to criminals
- Manage conflicts of interest: When required, we can restrict access between matter teams to prevent conflicts
- Respond to legal requests faster: When a client makes a subject access request or you face a dispute, we can quickly search and export all relevant communications
Why Cloud Infrastructure is Critical for Law Firms:
Bank-grade security, encryption at rest and in transit, UK data residency, audit logging for SRA compliance
When ransomware hits, cloud backups mean you're back online in hours, not weeks. Your completion doesn't fail because your server died.
Secure access from anywhere. Fee earners work from court, home, or client sites without VPN complexity or security compromises.
No more surprise server replacement bills. Cloud infrastructure has predictable monthly costs and scales with your practice growth.
We're infrastructure architects, not just support technicians. We design secure, scalable cloud environments that enable modern legal practice.
SRA Compliance & Cyber Essentials Certification
Your PI insurer increasingly requires Cyber Essentials. The SRA expects robust information security. Your clients deserve confidence that their data is protected. We help you achieve all three.
What the SRA Actually Requires
The SRA Standards and Regulations (Outcome 7.5) require firms to "ensure that your systems and procedures for monitoring and protecting confidential information and data are effective."
The problem: "Effective systems" is deliberately vague. The SRA doesn't prescribe specific technology, but they do investigate when data breaches occur. If you can't demonstrate robust security measures were in place, you face regulatory action.
The solution: Cyber Essentials certification provides independent third-party verification that your IT security meets government-backed standards. When the SRA asks "what security measures did you have in place?", you have documented evidence.
Cyber Essentials: What It Means for Law Firms
Cyber Essentials isn't a checkbox exercise—it's a comprehensive security assessment covering five critical controls:
🔥 Boundary Firewalls & Internet Gateways
What it means: Your network perimeter is properly protected against external attacks.
What we check: Firewalls configured correctly, unnecessary ports closed, secure remote access properly implemented.
⚙️ Secure Configuration
What it means: Devices and software are configured to reduce security vulnerabilities.
What we check: Default passwords changed, unnecessary services disabled, security settings properly configured on all systems including matter management software.
👤 Access Control
What it means: Only authorized people can access your systems and client data.
What we check: Strong passwords enforced, multi-factor authentication deployed, user accounts reviewed regularly, leavers' access removed promptly, admin privileges restricted.
🦠 Malware Protection
What it means: Comprehensive protection against ransomware, viruses, and other malicious software.
What we check: Endpoint protection deployed on all devices, up-to-date anti-malware, automated scanning, email attachment protection.
🔄 Patch Management
What it means: Software vulnerabilities are fixed promptly before criminals can exploit them.
What we check: Operating systems patched within 14 days, applications updated regularly, matter management software maintained, end-of-life software identified and replaced.
Why PI Insurers Are Demanding Cyber Essentials
of cyber insurance claims now require CE+ certification for coverage
average premium increase for law firms without CE+ certification
claim rejection rate when firms can't demonstrate "reasonable security measures"
Critical: If you suffer a data breach and can't demonstrate you had Cyber Essentials certification or equivalent security measures, your PI insurer may reject your claim. A £50,000 breach becomes a £50,000 uninsured loss.
Our Cyber Essentials Implementation Process
Security Assessment (Week 1)
We audit your current infrastructure against CE+ requirements, identifying gaps and creating a prioritized remediation plan.
Gap Remediation (Weeks 2-4)
We implement required security controls: configure firewalls, deploy multi-factor authentication, fix patch management, secure configurations. Work happens behind the scenes while you continue serving clients.
Internal Testing (Week 5)
We conduct internal checks to ensure all controls work correctly before the official assessment.
External Assessment (Week 6-8)
Independent certification body conducts hands-on technical verification. We coordinate the assessment, provide evidence, and address any findings.
Certification & Ongoing Compliance
You receive CE+ certification (valid for 12 months). We maintain ongoing compliance and handle annual recertification.
Typical timeline: 6-8 weeks from starting to achieving certification. Faster if your infrastructure is already cloud-based, longer if significant remediation is required.
What Cyber Essentials Certification Gives You:
Investment in Security-First IT for Your Firm
Transparent, predictable monthly pricing. No hidden fees, no surprise invoices. Security-first IT infrastructure designed for law firms handling sensitive client matters.
H-Protect Essentials
Core protection for smaller practices
Essential security foundations
- Endpoint monitoring & patching
- Device backup
- Ransomware protection
- Remote support quota
5-user minimum (£200/month)
Note: Does not include helpdesk support or security tools (Keeper, vulnerability management)
H-Protect Standard
Complete security for law firms
Full security stack with helpdesk
- Helpdesk support (calls answered under 30 seconds)
- EDR endpoint protection on all devices
- Email security & anti-phishing
- Proactive patching & updates
- Endpoint & SaaS backups
- Microsoft 365 management
- Monthly security scorecard
- Dark web monitoring
10-user minimum (£550/month)
Example: 12-solicitor firm = £660/month
H-Protect Complete
Premium security with 24/7 monitoring
24/7 SOC + compliance support
- Everything in H-Protect Standard, plus:
- 24/7 security monitoring & response
- Vulnerability management (continuous)
- Regular phishing simulation exercises
- Priority support & SLA
- Cyber Essentials preparation support
10-user minimum (£890/month)
Example: 18-solicitor firm = £1,602/month
Add-On: User Cyber Training
+£3/user/month
Reduces human-error incidents by 70%+. Monthly security awareness training with simulated phishing campaigns - essential when your staff handle privileged client information and sensitive case files.
First-Year Bonus: 7-Day Stabilise Package
Limited capacity: Taking 3 new firms per month
What's NOT Included (Transparency)
We believe in clear pricing. These are separate costs you'll need to budget for:
- Microsoft 365 licensing - typically £10-20/user/month depending on your plan (Business Basic, Standard, or Premium)
- Azure consumption - if using Azure Virtual Desktop or cloud infrastructure, usage costs go direct to Microsoft
- Hardware - laptops, monitors, printers etc. are your responsibility (we can advise and procure)
- Practice management software - your case management, document management, and legal software licenses
Our pricing covers the security, management, and support layer - not your underlying software licenses or infrastructure.
Why This Investment Makes Sense
Cost of Getting It Wrong
- Ransomware recovery: £15,000 - £50,000
- 5 days downtime before completion: £30,000+ lost billable hours
- SRA investigation costs: £10,000 - £50,000
- Client compensation claims: £25,000+
- Increased PI insurance premiums
- Lost clients and reputation damage
Single incident cost: £80,000 - £150,000+
Cost of Getting It Right
- H-Protect Standard (15 users): £825/month
- Annual investment: £9,900
- 24/7 protection and monitoring
- Tested backup recovery
- Compliance documentation for SRA and PI insurance
- Peace of mind during critical completions
Annual investment: Less than one incident
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we hear from law firms considering security-first IT infrastructure:
What IT support do law firms actually need?
Law firms need security-first IT infrastructure, not reactive break-fix support. This includes: secure cloud architecture (Azure Virtual Desktop or Microsoft 365), proactive threat monitoring, ransomware protection, Cyber Essentials certification support, SRA compliance documentation, and strategic IT planning. Generic IT support lacks the legal sector knowledge and security expertise required for modern law firms handling confidential client matters and meeting PI insurance requirements.
We already have an IT person/company. Can you work with them?
Yes - this is our co-managed model. Your existing IT handles day-to-day support (user issues, basic troubleshooting, password resets). We provide the specialist layer: cloud security architecture, Azure expertise, Cyber Essentials certification support, threat monitoring, and strategic infrastructure planning. Think of us as the escalation tier for security and cloud projects your current IT can't handle. Most clients keep their existing IT relationships and add us for specialist expertise.
How much does IT support cost for a law firm?
Security-first IT infrastructure for law firms costs £39.99-£89 per user per month, depending on the level of protection required. Our H-Protect Essentials (£39.99/user/month) provides core security foundations, H-Protect Standard (£55/user/month) adds full helpdesk support and our complete security stack, and H-Protect Complete (£89/user/month) includes 24/7 SOC monitoring and vulnerability management. For example, an 18-solicitor firm on Standard would invest £990/month. This covers the security and management layer - Microsoft 365 licensing and any Azure consumption are additional costs paid direct to Microsoft. Compare this investment to the £80,000-£150,000+ cost of a single data breach or SRA investigation.
Do law firms need cyber security or is antivirus enough?
Antivirus alone is dangerously insufficient and won't satisfy SRA requirements or PI insurers. Law firms are prime targets because of client data, banking access, and M&A confidentiality. Modern threats require multi-layered security: proactive threat monitoring, email phishing protection (especially conveyancing fraud), ransomware-proof backups, MFA enforcement, and security awareness training. Cyber Essentials certification is now required by many PI insurers for coverage.
What's the difference between your service and cheaper MSPs?
Commodity MSPs offer reactive break-fix support at £25-45 per user/month. They fix things after they break. We're cloud security specialists at £55-£89 per user/month who prevent problems through proactive architecture. The difference: they wait for your call when something breaks; we call you when we've already fixed it. They treat security as an add-on; we build security-first infrastructure. They're generalists; we specialise in professional services firms. Yes, we cost more - but data breach recovery costs £50k-£120k, triggers SRA investigations, and can result in PI insurance claim rejection.
Can you help with Cyber Essentials certification?
Yes - this is core to what we do. Many PI insurers now require Cyber Essentials, and large commercial clients increasingly demand evidence of your security posture before engaging you. We implement the technical controls required (boundary firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, patch management), prepare for the assessment, provide evidence documentation, and maintain ongoing compliance. We're Cyber Essentials certified ourselves - we practice what we preach. Typical timeline: 6-12 weeks from starting to achieving certification.
How do you ensure SRA compliance for IT systems?
The SRA requires firms to ensure "systems and procedures for monitoring and protecting confidential information and data are effective" (Outcome 7.5). We provide: documented security controls and policies, access control systems (who can access what client data), audit logging for compliance investigations, encryption for data at rest and in transit, incident response procedures, regular security reviews, and Cyber Essentials certification as independent verification. When the SRA investigates, you have documented evidence your IT security was robust.
What happens during critical periods like completions or court deadlines?
We understand legal deadlines are non-negotiable. Critical issues (matter management system down, email outage during completion, ransomware attack) receive fast response year-round. We also provide emergency after-hours support for deadline-critical work. When your case management system goes down on Friday afternoon before a Monday hearing, we're available - including emergency weekend support. We schedule infrastructure maintenance outside critical periods. H-Protect Complete clients get full 24/7 SOC coverage.
Can you migrate us to the cloud or do we need our on-premise server?
Most law firms benefit significantly from cloud migration to Azure Virtual Desktop or Microsoft 365. Benefits: secure access from anywhere (home, court, client sites), no more server hardware to maintain, automatic backups, better disaster recovery for business continuity, easier SRA compliance documentation, and reduced technology debt. We assess your current infrastructure, design the cloud architecture (including matter management system integration), migrate your data securely, and train your team. Note: Azure and Microsoft 365 licensing costs are separate from our management fees.
Do you support our matter management system?
Yes. We support all major legal software platforms: Clio, LexisNexis Visualfiles, PracticeEvolve, Leap, Osprey Approach, Eclipse Legal, Proclaim, and HB Litpack. Whether cloud-hosted or on-premise, we architect secure access, implement backups, design disaster recovery, and ensure integration with your wider Microsoft 365 environment. We don't provide training on the software itself - your practice management system vendor handles that - but we ensure it's secure, backed up, and integrated properly.
What if something goes wrong outside office hours?
Standard support hours are 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday-Friday with calls answered in under 30 seconds. However, we provide emergency after-hours support for critical issues, especially during completion periods or before court deadlines. Critical issues = matter management system down, ransomware attack, or any incident that prevents deadline-critical work. Emergency contact details are provided to all clients. Our monitoring systems alert us to threats 24/7 even outside office hours, and H-Protect Complete clients get full 24/7 SOC coverage.
How quickly can you get started with our firm?
Our 7-Day Stabilise guarantee means you're fully protected within 7 business days of signing up. Timeline breakdown: Security deployment: Core protection active within 48 hours. Full stabilisation: Complete security stack deployed in 7 days. Cloud migration projects: 2-4 weeks for assessment, planning, migration, and cutover. Cyber Essentials certification: 6-12 weeks for implementation and certification. We start with a free security assessment to understand your current infrastructure, identify risks, and create a prioritised roadmap.
Get Your Free Security Assessment
We'll review your current IT infrastructure, identify security risks and compliance gaps, and provide a no-obligation roadmap tailored to your accounting practice.
Infrastructure Security Review
Comprehensive assessment of your current setup: servers, cloud services, backup systems, and access controls.
Risk Identification
We identify vulnerabilities: weak passwords, missing MFA, unpatched systems, ransomware exposure, and compliance gaps.
Compliance Gap Analysis
Review against Cyber Essentials requirements, GDPR obligations, ICO guidelines, and PI insurance requirements.
Prioritized Roadmap
Clear action plan: what to fix immediately (critical risks), what to plan (strategic improvements), and estimated investment.
⏰ Don't wait for a security incident to force action. Ransomware doesn't care if you're busy with tax season. Book your assessment today.
