Forgive me if you know this, but many don’t. Ransomware is always on the rise and 2025 is no exception.
The raw statistics are that in the first quarter of 2025, ransomware attacks jumped a staggering 84% compared to the same period last year. Two-thirds of companies have been hit in the past two years.
Ransomware isn’t a threat anymore; it’s an inevitability.
I don’t say all this for some sensationalism, click-bait, or to try to sell you something. It’s the reality of the world we live in and it’s not getting any better.
For a law firm managing sensitive client files and trust accounts, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
What ransomware really means for your firm
If an attacker breaches your network, they lock your files behind encryption, or even worse, they threaten to leak confidential data unless you pay.
And yes, backups aren’t safe by default. 96% of firms hit by ransomware found their backups were also compromised.
That’s why having backups isn’t enough; those backups must be immutable, meaning unchangeable.
Immutable backups explained (simply)
Think of immutable storage like a high-security vault. Once you write data inside, no one – not even an admin – can modify it, delete it, or overwrite it. That makes it the final, reliable recovery point after an attack.
In the past, firms protected backups by keeping them offline or using physical air-gapped drives. That works, but it’s clunky and time-consuming. Today, cloud-based immutable storage gives you the same high level of protection but without the hardware hassle.
Why this matters for law firms
The best way to understand this impact is with a hypothetical scenario.
Imagine that you arrive at the firm on a Monday morning to find critical files encrypted.
- Without immutable backups, attackers have likely locked your recovery copies too.
- Your team scrambles to rebuild, clients wait, court deadlines loom.
- You face both financial and reputational loss, and possibly lawsuits or disciplinary action.
Worse still, paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee file access. Even if you comply, recovery may be incomplete, delayed, or absent. (And we never recommend paying a ransom because there’s no guarantee you will get your data back at all)
A “breach mentality” isn’t pessimism. It’s preparedness
Security measures like antivirus, firewalls, MFA, and email filtering are vital, but none are foolproof. A smart attacker will find a way in. Your goal isn’t to prevent every attack, it’s to make sure you can recover quickly when one inevitably occurs.
Immutable backups are your insurance policy. They mean you don’t have to negotiate with criminals, and your team won’t be held hostage by missing files.
When recovery is straightforward, you protect client service and firm reputation. That stability is priceless in the legal world.
How to start implementing immutable backups today
1. Evaluate your current backup setup
Check if your backups use immutable storage or are easily editable. If they’re on shared drives or plain cloud storage, they’re vulnerable.
2. Choose an IT partner or backup provider that supports immutability
Make sure your provider offers time-locked, write-once backup protocols. Optional extra: ensure they support “air gap in the cloud” by isolating attachments from your active systems.
3. Establish the right retention policy
Determine how long backups should remain immutable. 90 days? 180? Align with your data recovery needs and compliance requirements without making storage costs prohibitive.
4. Run ransomware drills
Simulate an attack by restoring files from your immutable backup. That exercise ensures fast, reliable recovery and keeps your team practiced and confident.
5. Pair it with proactive defenses
Immutable backups are recovery tech, not prevention. Keep your preventative layers strong: security patching, endpoint protection, MFA, least-privilege permissions, phishing training.
A snapshot of what’s working
| Challenge | Immutable Backup Fix |
| Ransomware encrypted your backups too | Immutable means attacker can’t overwrite them |
| Staff can’t restore files | Drill proved backups are intact and accessible |
| Pressure to pay ransom | No. You restore cleanly and quickly |
| Concern over cloud safety | Presents air-gap style protection without manual steps |
Final thoughts – and what comes next
With ransomware on track to remain a top cyber threat, immutable backup storage should be a top priority for law firms. Secure, practical, and cloud-ready, it offers a simple but game-changing improvement to your resilience.
If you’d like help reviewing your current backup strategy, or a template to build immutable backups into your firm’s disaster recovery plan, I’m here to support your team’s confidence and calm under pressure.
Here’s to protecting your clients’ trust and keeping your firm on track – no ransom required.