You’re busy running your firm; juggling cases and managing your team. You don’t want to have to think about data security and preventing breaches. But you also know that cyberattacks are very real.
This is where Microsoft’s latest move comes in—starting October 2024, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will be mandatory for all Azure users.
Let’s break down what this means for your law firm and why it’s actually a good thing.
What Is Azure, and How Does It Fit into Your Law Firm?
First things first—what exactly is Microsoft Azure? Azure is a cloud computing platform that offers a variety of services, from storing vast amounts of legal documents to managing your firm’s case management software.
It’s like having a virtual office that can grow and adapt as your firm does, without the need for expensive hardware.
For small to mid-sized law firms, Azure is a game-changer. It’s commonly used to store and manage documents, host your case management applications, and back up your data – all within compliance to standards and regulations such as HIPAA and CCPA.
If you’re one of our clients, there’s a good chance you have Azure managing your employees for securely logging in and having a seamless user experience across any device.
With so much riding on the security of your data, it’s no wonder that Microsoft is stepping up its game by making MFA a requirement.
Why Is Microsoft Requiring MFA, and What Does It Mean for Your Firm?
I hope at this point you know what Multi-Factor Authentication is (or perhaps you call it Two-Factor Authentication). MFA is a security process that requires two or more verification methods before granting access to your account.
You’re likely using it on some of your accounts already. Where once you enter your password (your first authentication) you are then prompted for another authentication method – via email code, SMS, Authenticator App, or even Biometrics.
Starting in October 2024, Microsoft is rolling this out in phases, meaning all Azure users will need to set up MFA to access their accounts.
This move is in response to the increasing number of cyber threats, where compromised passwords are often the weak link. Microsoft has found that MFA can block 99.2% of all account compromise attacks. Even if a hacker gets hold of your password, they’ll have a much harder time breaking in without that second form of verification.
What Should Your Law Firm Do to Prepare?
Here’s the thing, your firm should already be using MFA. So this change shouldn’t be noticed. But if not, now’s the time to get things in order.
There’s a lot to do to make sure everything is running smoothly, and if you have an IT provider or in-house staff, they should already be aware of this and have you covered. You should mention it to them just so you can ensure all your ducks are in a row.
If you don’t have somebody to turn to, in all honesty you probably should because cases like these come up all the time and you want them taken care of proactively. To get scope of what you are dealing with though, you’ll want to review your existing IT and take inventory of what your business is using.
How many people have accounts, how many don’t already have MFA enabled? Are there any legacy applications that you use that might have some credentials in its settings?
This information will help you decide how to deal with this going forward and be vital for ensuring there will be no hiccups when the time comes. Again, don’t hesitate to bring in professionals who specialize in law firm technology.
If you want a full review of MFA for your firm then grab our free MFA eBook that covers everything you need to know.
Wrapping It Up
Microsoft’s move to make MFA mandatory for Azure users is a smart and necessary step in today’s security landscape. For law firms, it’s not just about compliance—it’s about protecting your clients, your reputation, and your bottom line.
By embracing MFA, you’re taking a proactive stance against cyber threats, ensuring that your firm is secure, compliant, and ready for whatever challenges come your way.
So, take the time to prepare now, and you’ll be well-positioned to continue serving your clients with the confidence that their data is safe and secure.