Situation

The client operates a high-profile litigation practice with 85 attorneys and staff working across three offices and remote locations. Client data is highly sensitive, making the firm a prime target for ransomware and social engineering attacks.

Legacy antivirus solutions were reactive and generated false positives. IT staff spent excessive time on manual investigations, leading to slow response times and compliance gaps under New York State cybersecurity regulations.

Implementation

We deployed a next-generation Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) platform across all 120 endpoints. This included workstations, laptops, and mobile devices used for case management.

The project followed a phased approach:

  • Week 1-2: Asset discovery and baseline security posture assessment.
  • Week 3-4: EDR agent deployment and integration with the existing SIEM.
  • Week 5-6: Configuration of automated response playbooks for common threats.
  • Week 7-8: Staff training and user acceptance testing.

Integration & Automation

We connected the EDR system to the firm’s Identity Provider using Zero Trust principles. This ensured that only verified users could access sensitive case files.

Automated playbooks now isolate compromised endpoints within seconds. This removes the need for immediate manual intervention during off-hours, ensuring 24/7 protection without additional staffing costs.

Results

Post-implementation metrics show significant improvements in security posture and operational efficiency.

  • Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) decreased from 48 hours to under 4 hours.
  • False positive rate dropped by 70%, freeing up IT staff for strategic projects.
  • Compliance audit preparation time reduced by 50% due to automated log collection and reporting.

Learnings

Success in legal sectors depends on balancing security with attorney productivity. We prioritized seamless background operations to avoid disrupting work.

Early engagement with legal counsel on data handling policies ensured that the security tools met both technical and regulatory requirements. This collaborative approach minimized resistance and accelerated adoption.

Results

  • -60 % – Reduction in Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)
  • -70 % – Decrease in False Positive Alerts
  • 50 % – Faster Compliance Audit Preparation