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Cybersecurity and Cyber Insurance

Cybersecurity Guidelines

Cybersecurity is a significant and challenging issue for the Bar and the legal profession as a whole. To meet these challenges the Bar Association has developed Guidelines on issues arising from cybersecurity in Legal Practice which may be accessed here. 

The Cybersecurity Guidelines provide barristers with valuable guidance as to the preventative steps they should take to protect against such threats could result in significant harm, including to a barrister's clients, in the event of a cyber-attack. Such failures may, in certain circumstances, constitute a breach of the Barrister's Rules and may be unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct. 

The recommended minimum steps all NSW Barristers should taker to protect against cybersecurity threats include installing security updates and use of secure passwords and multi-factor authentication. Additional steps may also be appropriate, depending on the nature of the barrister's practice and the information and work data held. 

Barristers should consistently be thinking about what steps they can take or should take in their practice to miminise cybersecurity risk and to ensure compliance with the Barristers Rules. 

Cybersecurity Resources

Below is a list of resources on cyber security that has been collated for members to enhance members knowledge about cybersecurity risk at the Bar:

CPDs available on CPD Online

Bar News articles concerning cybersecurity

Cyber insurance

The NSW Bar Association has been working with cyber insurers, insurance brokers, barristers and clerks to assist insurers to develop cyber insurance policies tailored for barristers. This was based on feedback many barristers were finding it difficult to obtain insurance.  

Austbrokers Countrywide have specifically designed a cyber insurance policy for barristers.

Details of the Barristers Cyber Insurance policy can be accessed here. 

While it is not mandatory to hold cyber insurance, members are encouraged to consider whether cyber insurance is appropriate for their practices. 

Barristers are recommended to make enquiries with their Chambers about whether any insurance policies are in place which include coverage for individual barristers when assessing their insurance needs. If any members have any enquiries in respect to Cyber Insurance, please contact Donna Boyce. 

Note: The NSW Bar Association is also working with other insurance brokers in order to develop more cyber insurance policies for the Bar. Details of these policies will be uploaded onto this website once released.