Jim Turner Discusses Impact of Microsoft Exchange Attack in Legaltech News

Jim Turner discussed the recent Microsoft Exchange Server cyber attack and potential impact for law firms in a March 11, 2021 article for Legaltech News. In a March 2 blog post, Microsoft announced its belief that the China-backed Hafnium group targeted the Exchange Servers with attacks that allow hackers to access email accounts and install malware on users’ systems, although the attack only included on-premises Exchange Server Systems.

Because Microsoft Exchange is such a popular law firm tool, Turner suggests that some firms were likely hacked, adding that the hackers were able to obtain an estimated 30,000 servers. “The access will allow them to download data from individual mailboxes,” he said. “If anyone has HIPPA-related data, confidential intellectual property or financial data in these mailboxes, it does present a significant risk of data breach for these organizations.”

While the breach is widespread and will require action from affected law firms, Turner took note of one silver lining: the legal industry’s growing trend of transitioning to the cloud will save some firms from being exposed. “What’s so helpful is so many firms have moved to the Microsoft Exchange that is hosted by Microsoft or themselves on the cloud.”

For the full article, please click here.