Clients, lawyers, and law office staff routinely work with electronic documents and data. Protecting the security and confidentiality of that information is important. Both Rules of Professional Conduct and PIPEDA apply equally to paper-based files and electronic documents such as computer files and e-mail messages. A failure to take appropriate steps to protect the electronic data in your office could result in a release of sensitive information, a malpractice claim, a complaint to the Law Society, or the theft of your personal identity. To minimize the risk of any disclosure or loss of confidential client or practice data, you should understand where the risks are, and implement office management practices and appropriate technology to ensure all of your data remains confidential and secure. This booklet highlights the risks and provides a comprehensive review of various steps you should take to ensure that the electronic information in your office remains confidential and secure.

• Download an Acrobat PDF version of the managing the security and privacy of electronic data in a law office booklet (for viewing, 248KB), or managing the security and privacy of electronic data in a law office booklet (for printing, 197KB), OR
• Order a copy of this booklet.

Supplemental article and precedent

Additional reading in our Lending Library

• The 2011 Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide
       Sharon D. Nelson, John W. Simek & Michael C. Maschke,
• Information Security for Lawyers and Law Firms
       Edited by Sharon D. Nelson, David Isom & John W. Simek
• Locked Down: Information Security for Lawyers
       Edited by Sharon D. Nelson, David G. Ries & John W. Simek

The practicePRO Lending Library is a free resource for Ontario lawyers. We have over 100 titles on law practice management, and over two dozen books on law office technology in particular. Click here to visit the Library and learn how simple it is to order our books.