Why Your Cybersecurity Program Is Never Truly Finished

A strong cybersecurity program requires continual review, training, and updates to protect against cybercrime, ensure compliance, and support your firm’s mission

Law firms and organizations that believe their cybersecurity program is “done” may be exposing themselves to unnecessary risk. Experts say cybersecurity is not a one-time project but an ongoing process that requires regular maintenance, review, and improvement.

A strong cybersecurity program is built on three core objectives: protecting against cybercrime, complying with legal and professional obligations, and supporting the organization’s mission through efficient information management. When these goals are aligned, firms not only reduce risk but also strengthen operations and build trust with clients.

Fundamentals Still Matter

At its core, a cybersecurity program should include a written policy and plan, implementation of basic security controls, active management oversight, and regular training. Without these components, even well-intentioned efforts can fall apart.

Organizations that properly manage their information assets often prevent incidents before they occur. Beyond technical benefits, there is also a psychological advantage: replacing the stress of unfinished cybersecurity tasks with the confidence that safeguards are in place.

If firm leaders are unsure whether a cybersecurity program or policy even exists, that uncertainty itself signals a serious gap. A forgotten or outdated policy is just as dangerous as having none at all.

Focus on the Three Main Goals

Periodic review is critical. Firms should revisit their cybersecurity program with these guiding questions:

• Are we improving protection against cybercrime?
• Are we meeting evolving regulatory and professional standards?
• Are we strengthening our ability to serve clients efficiently?

Rather than asking whether everything is “good enough,” organizations should identify priority areas for improvement and dedicate reasonable resources to address them. Cybersecurity is shaped by human decisions, and defensiveness or complacency can hinder progress.

Accountability Is Essential

Every cybersecurity program needs a clearly designated person in charge. In smaller firms, this responsibility may fall to an existing employee acting as a cybersecurity coordinator. However, the role must be meaningful. If someone is “in charge on paper but not really,” the program is effectively unmanaged.

This coordinator should oversee policy reviews, recommend updates, and consult external experts when necessary.

Review and Train Regularly

Annual policy reviews are the minimum standard. Practices should be evaluated alongside written rules to ensure alignment. When gaps appear, firms must decide whether to adjust behavior or update the policy itself.

Training is equally critical. Every employee should understand the cybersecurity program and their role within it. Even simple policy-based training sessions can significantly improve awareness and compliance.