Should my law firm have its own server?

Misbah Jalal Siddiqui

Should my law firm have its own server?

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Dedicated Server

Although cloud-based storage is secure, convenient, and cost-effective, some law firms prefer not to store confidential client information on a server in the physical control of a third party. For this reason, some law firms consider using an on-premises server rather than storing their client information on the cloud. If you have the resources to set up, secure, back up, and maintain the server equipment, then having your own server may be an acceptable alternative to storing your data in the cloud.[1][2] The following are some issues your firm should consider and address when setting up an on-premises server[1]:

  1. Which employees and service technicians will have physical access to your servers?
  2. How will the servers be secured (both physically and electronically)?
  3. What happens if there is a disaster and the server gets physically damaged or destroyed?
  4. What happens if the internet goes down?
  5. Can your law firm afford the equipment necessary to set up a server?
  6. Can your law firm afford the cost of maintaining the server?
  7. Will your firm need to hire a third-party to set up and maintain the server?
  8. What measures will your firm need to take to ensure the third-party technician preserves the confidentiality of the data on the server?
  9. Will there be a sufficient audit log for every person who physically or electronically accesses the server?
  10. Will employees need to work remotely?
  11. How frequently will the server technology become obsolete and require replacement?
  12. How easy is it to backup data?
  13. Where will your firm store the backup?
  14. How easy is it to restore the data from the backup, and how long will that take?

References

1. Cloud Vs. In-House Servers
2. Cloud Vs. Data Center

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