Cybersecurity-first IT for Scottish law firms
Protect client confidentiality, keep fee earners productive and plan for resilient legal services
Stratiis helps law firms across Scotland improve managed IT, Microsoft 365, secure casework, device management, cybersecurity, backup and technology planning—so teams can serve clients with confidence.
What IT support does a law firm need?
A law firm needs responsive user support, secure Microsoft 365 and identity administration, protected devices and confidential information, reliable case and document-system infrastructure, safe access for office and remote teams, tested backup and recovery, coordinated software suppliers and a technology roadmap aligned with client service, risk and growth.
Technology that protects trust
IT built around legal work, client information and business continuity
Legal practices depend on secure access to email, matter information, documents, communications and specialist applications throughout the working day.
Productive fee earners
Reduce avoidable downtime and give employees responsive support wherever they work.
Protected confidentiality
Strengthen identity, devices, email, access, sharing and recovery around client information.
Secure collaboration
Provide controlled access for teams, clients and third parties without uncontrolled sharing.
Planned resilience
Forecast lifecycle, licensing, security, supplier and continuity investment.
Legal technology pressures
Common IT challenges facing law firms
The right response connects technical controls to client service, confidentiality, commercial risk and continuity.
| Challenge | Potential firm impact | How Stratiis helps |
|---|---|---|
| Email and payment fraud | Loss of client or firm funds, confidential data and trust. | Layer identity, email security, awareness, process and monitoring controls. |
| Matter-system dependency | Fee earners cannot access case information, documents, time or workflows. | Support the underlying environment and coordinate responsibilities with application vendors. |
| Remote legal work | Unmanaged access, device risk and inconsistent employee experience. | Manage identities, devices, applications and access policies centrally. |
| Document sprawl | Wrong versions, oversharing, duplication and difficulty finding information. | Design collaboration and information structures with clear ownership. |
| Reactive support | Lost fee-earning time, delayed client work and employee frustration. | Provide structured helpdesk support, monitoring, maintenance and escalation. |
| Ageing infrastructure | Reliability problems, unsupported systems and unplanned replacement costs. | Maintain a lifecycle plan linked to budgets, risk and business priorities. |
| Unclear recovery | Extended disruption after deletion, cyberattack or service failure. | Define backup scope, recovery priorities, responsibilities and testing. |
A joined-up service
Core IT services for legal practices
Support, security, confidentiality and continuity are stronger when responsibilities connect.
Managed IT support
Helpdesk, monitoring, patching, user administration, network support, vendor liaison and onsite or remote assistance.
Cybersecurity
Identity, endpoint, email, awareness, vulnerability, monitoring and governance controls.
Microsoft 365
Secure management of Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Intune, Entra ID and Defender.
Cloud, backup and recovery
Protect confidential information and critical services and clarify recovery priorities.
Case and document systems
Support the underlying platform, access, devices, connectivity, security and vendor coordination.
Communications and connectivity
Support reliable internet, networks and business communications across offices and teams.
Projects and transformation
Deliver migrations, office changes, collaboration improvements and legal-technology projects.
vCIO guidance
Give partners a roadmap, budget, lifecycle plan, supplier view and cyber-risk reporting.
Co-managed IT
Add specialist skills, project capacity and escalation support around an internal IT resource.
Confidentiality and cyber risk
Why are law firms targeted by cybercriminals?
Valuable information and trusted transactions
Law firms hold sensitive personal, commercial, property, employment and litigation information. Trusted email conversations and time-critical transactions can also create opportunities for impersonation and payment fraud.
Security must combine technology and process
MFA, secure administration, email and endpoint protection, awareness, backup and monitoring reduce risk. High-risk payment and bank-detail changes should also follow a verified business process rather than relying on email alone.
Legal systems and information
Clarify where matter information belongs and who supports it
Microsoft 365 can support communication and collaboration, but it does not automatically replace every case-management or document-management requirement.
| Service area | Typical role | Management priority |
|---|---|---|
| Practice or case-management system | Matters, contacts, time, billing, workflows and legal records. | Document the application vendor, infrastructure, access, integration, backup and escalation responsibilities. |
| Document-management system | Matter-centric filing, search, versioning, metadata and retention. | Preserve legal workflows and test integrations before changing platforms. |
| Exchange Online | Email, calendars and shared mailboxes. | Protect identities, mail flow, authentication, permissions, retention and leaver processes. |
| Teams | Meetings, communication and internal collaboration. | Control team creation, guests, file sharing and workspace ownership. |
| SharePoint | Policies, knowledge and selected shared documents. | Define what belongs in SharePoint versus the matter or document system. |
| OneDrive | Individual work files and access across managed devices. | Avoid treating personal storage as the final home for matter information. |
| Intune and Entra ID | Device management, authentication and access decisions. | Enforce MFA, compliance, encryption and Conditional Access. |
Microsoft 365 for law firms
Secure productivity without uncontrolled access or sharing
The platform can improve flexible working, but security and information governance must reflect client confidentiality and the firm’s operating model.
| Control area | What good looks like | Question for the firm |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | MFA, Conditional Access, protected administrators and prompt joiner-leaver processes. | Can every account and exception be explained? |
| Devices | Managed configuration, encryption, supported software, patching and endpoint protection. | Should an unmanaged device be able to download confidential documents? |
| Sharing | Approved link types, guest controls, expiry and accountable workspace owners. | Who reviews external access and removes it when no longer needed? |
| Authentication, anti-phishing controls, reporting and monitored alerts. | How are suspected payment or impersonation messages verified? | |
| Retention | Policies aligned with legal, client and business requirements. | Which system is the authoritative record for each information type? |
| Copilot readiness | Known data access, reduced oversharing, acceptable-use policy and controlled adoption. | Could a user or AI tool find information they should not see? |
Hybrid legal teams
Secure access across offices, homes, client locations and court
Protect identity, device and information together
Access should be based on the user, role, device compliance and risk. Managed laptops and mobile devices reduce reliance on personal tools and inconsistent settings.
Preserve a consistent client-service experience
Fee earners should be able to access approved applications and information securely while the firm maintains control of devices, accounts and confidential data.
Business continuity
Plan recovery around client work, deadlines and critical systems
Backups are valuable only when the firm knows what they cover, how quickly services can return and who is responsible.
| Recovery area | Questions to answer | Expected evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Critical services | Which systems, matters and communications must return first? | A prioritised service and information inventory. |
| Backup scope | Are Microsoft 365, case systems, servers, endpoints and cloud applications covered? | Documented coverage, exclusions, retention and ownership. |
| Recovery objectives | How much data loss and downtime can the firm tolerate? | Agreed recovery time and recovery point objectives. |
| Testing | Can data and services actually be restored? | Periodic test results, issues and corrective actions. |
| Incident response | Who makes decisions and communicates with employees, clients and advisers? | A maintained plan, contacts and exercise outcomes. |
How we work
From law firm technology review to continuous improvement
The process addresses immediate support and cyber risks while building a longer-term plan.
Assess
Review users, legal systems, Microsoft 365, devices, suppliers, security and recovery.
Prioritise
Compare client, confidentiality, service, financial and operational impacts.
Stabilise
Resolve immediate issues and establish clear support and vendor ownership.
Secure
Implement agreed identity, device, email, backup and monitoring controls.
Plan
Create a roadmap for lifecycle, systems, resilience, projects and investment.
Improve
Support employees and update priorities as the firm and risks evolve.
Indicative investment
How much should a law firm budget for IT support?
The existing Stratiis ranges are retained as indicative guidance. A proposal should define scope and account for legal applications, suppliers, locations, Microsoft licensing, security, backup and continuity requirements.
| Users | Indicative monthly managed-support range | Factors that can change total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Per user | Approximately £35–£60 per user per month. | Support coverage, response commitments, device count and included management. |
| 10 users | Approximately £350–£600 per month. | Microsoft licensing, cybersecurity, backup and legal-application responsibilities may be additional. |
| 25 users | Approximately £875–£1,500 per month. | Remote working, document management, supplier estate and onsite needs affect scope. |
| 50 users | Approximately £1,750–£3,000 per month. | Multiple offices, governance, service hours and continuity requirements influence cost. |
| 100 users | Approximately £3,500–£6,000 per month. | Internal IT responsibilities, application complexity and reporting expectations must be defined. |
What should be included in a law firm IT proposal?
Look for clear user, device, office and application coverage; support hours and response targets; Microsoft 365 and vendor responsibilities; security, monitoring, backup and recovery; reporting; project rates; pricing assumptions; contract terms and exit arrangements.
Why Stratiis
A technology partner for client service, confidentiality and resilience
Cybersecurity first
Security is considered across support, Microsoft 365, devices, systems and strategy.
Legal-workflow aware
Clarify boundaries between the firm’s platforms, vendors and managed IT service.
Joined-up capability
Connect support, cloud, communications, projects, security and vCIO guidance.
Business-focused advice
Explain technology risk and investment in terms partners and managers can use.
Coverage
IT support for law firms across Scotland
Stratiis supports boutique practices, growing firms and multi-office legal teams.
Glasgow
Managed IT, cybersecurity and legal-technology support across Glasgow and the west.
Edinburgh & Lothian
Support for law offices, fee earners and hybrid teams across the east.
Lanarkshire
Local and remote technology support across North and South Lanarkshire.
Ayrshire
Secure IT services for legal practices operating across Ayrshire.
Dumfries & Galloway
Remote and planned onsite support for firms across southern Scotland.
Perthshire
Managed support and strategic guidance for law firms in Perthshire.
Multi-office firms
Consistent identities, devices, systems and support across locations.
Hybrid legal teams
Secure access for office, home, court and client-location work.
Related insight
Technology mistakes law firms cannot afford to ignore
Common pitfalls that affect client data, productivity and risk
Explore practical mistakes involving cybersecurity, continuity and technology management—and the steps firms can take to create a more secure and efficient environment.
Use the insight as a review prompt
Consider which risks are understood, which controls are evidenced and which improvements belong in the firm’s roadmap and budget.
Frequently asked questions
IT support for law firms explained
Why are law firms targeted by cybercriminals?
They hold valuable confidential information and manage trusted, time-sensitive communications and transactions. Compromised accounts can enable data theft, extortion, impersonation and payment fraud.
What cybersecurity protections should a law firm have?
Controls should normally include MFA, secure administration, email and endpoint protection, managed updates, encryption, awareness training, backup, monitoring and a tested incident-response plan proportionate to risk.
Can Stratiis help with Cyber Essentials?
Yes. Stratiis can assess the current position, explain technical gaps and help plan remediation. Certification scope and evidence requirements should be agreed before work begins.
Should law firms move file servers to SharePoint?
SharePoint can suit many shared documents and knowledge areas, but the firm should first assess matter-centric filing, metadata, integrations, permissions, retention and any existing document-management system.
Can Stratiis support multiple office locations?
Yes. Support can cover identities, devices, Microsoft 365, networks, connectivity, cybersecurity and common standards across offices and remote locations.
Can Stratiis support legal practice-management software?
Stratiis can support the underlying devices, identity, infrastructure, connectivity, security and integrations, and coordinate with the software vendor for product-specific issues.
Do law firms need independent Microsoft 365 backup?
It depends on retention and recovery requirements. Microsoft provides service resilience, but independent backup may add protection against deletion, compromised accounts, ransomware and retention gaps.
What happens during a law firm technology review?
Stratiis reviews support, legal systems, suppliers, Microsoft 365, devices, security, backup, continuity and priorities, then explains risks and recommended next steps.
Protect client work and plan what happens next
Book a law firm technology review
Understand the gaps in support, confidentiality, Microsoft 365, cybersecurity, legal systems, backup and future technology planning.
Book a technology reviewExplore managed IT services
Call 0141 348 7960 or email hello@stratiis.com.
