John Britton is a cybersecurity expert. With over 13 years of experience, he now works as the Technical Director of Cybersecurity at Corvid Cyberdefense. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies quickly pivoted to a remote workforce and needed a new kind of cybersecurity support. Everyone working from home also caused an abundance of different types of cybersecurity threats and potential vulnerabilities.

"In a whole 365 days, we've gone from being a traditional model to now being a very flexible, adaptive control mechanism that needs to be in place which, in the history of cybersecurity or IT as a whole, has never happened," John says.

In this episode, John discusses the different ways law firms can protect their sensitive data and avoid security breaches, including setting up a protected VPN as well as taking into account additional wifi-connected devices employees (or their kids) could be using at home.

With hackers constantly scanning for vulnerabilities, it's not enough anymore to just set up IT one time and forget it. It's important to keep a cybersecurity firm on board so they can constantly future-proof your business from data breaches, hackers, and spoof websites and emails.

His advice for choosing a cybersecurity firm? Avoid firms that use buzzwords like AI and machine learning — they're making it sound more complicated than it already is. What it really boils down to is being confident in that firm's abilities and asking them what they would do if a worst-case-scenario breach happened. 

John's top suggestions for law firms to protect themselves online is to use complex passwords, enable multi-factor authentication when possible, use a password manager to keep track of your expertly-written passwords, and provide training and awareness for your employees. 

Name: John Britton

What he does: As the Technical Director of Cybersecurity at Corvid Cyberdefense, John oversees the implementation and support teams, helping them protect organizations of all sizes from cyberattacks.

Company: Corvid Cyberdefense

Words of wisdom: “I'm not trying to scare the hell out of everyone but, realistically, for the SMB world — as we very well know because that's where we service — to truly defend yourself, there's no 100%. But, there's a lot of 99.9% security and mechanisms that can be in place."

Where to find John: LinkedIn

Lessons learned on this episode

★    VPNs are important for legal firms to protect sensitive data — Without a VPN set up, remote employees are vulnerable to hackers trying to steal their data and trick them with legitimate-looking websites. Setting up a VPN, and specifically, one that connects a user behind a protected firewall is crucial to the safety of your legal firm's cybersecurity.

★    Hackers are constantly scanning for vulnerabilities — While your business might not be directly targeted, hackers are constantly scanning devices, passwords, and softwares for potential vulnerabilities they can exploit. All it takes is one computer that wasn't updated, or one password that's easy to crack.

★    "Set it and forget it" cybersecurity doesn't work anymore — There are so many different ways hackers are trying to exploit vulnerabilities that it takes a lot of work for cybersecurity firms to stay on top of it and make sure everything within your business is secure. The old method of a one and done approach to cybersecurity no

We’ve all seen the way that technology has affected law practices throughout this pandemic, introducing everything from remote workplaces to video conference hearings. 

How can you use online tools to maintain interpersonal connections and important relationships as the ways we interact with one another shift?

No matter your practice area or the size of your firm, this past year has made it clear that it’s time to rethink the way we connect with clients, colleagues, and employees.

In this episode, host Robert Ingalls talks with lawyer, author, speaker, and professional mentor Frank Ramos about the importance of keeping relationships front and center in both business and life. 

Frank explains why these connections are more important now than ever. He shares how lawyers can harness the power of platforms like LinkedIn for networking and marketing, and he offers advice for building a habit that will never leave you at a loss for fresh content.

Even with the power of online tools to kickstart new connections, Frank says that ultimately the best relationships are built offline. 

“Maybe you send more personal letters and emails or make more phone calls,” says Frank. “But you really have to rethink how you're going to stay in touch with people because you want to stay front of mind.”

Name: Frank Ramos

What he does: Frank is the Managing Partner of Clarke Silverglate in Miami, where he practices in commercial litigation, drug and medical device, products liability, and catastrophic personal injury. He has written and edited more than 20 books for lawyers and published more than 400 articles. Frank offers free training videos, resources, and coffee chats at MiamiMentor.com.

Company: Clarke Silverglate

Words of wisdom: “For people who are thinking long term about how they want to develop their practice, they have to perceive the world through the prism of technology, and how we interact with each other now.”

Where to find Frank: LinkedIn | MiamiMentor.com

Lessons learned on running your law practice from a distance

Make a habit of mining your expertise — Meet the ever-present demand for fresh online content by digging into what you know best — your practice areas and client conversations.

Be intentional with your relationships — What’s the commonality between business networking, workplace wellness, and personal bonds? They help foster meaningful connections between people. Make the effort to maintain these relationships through one-on-one phone calls, texts, and social Zooms. 

Rethink your practice with technology in the mix — The shift toward remote meetings and online marketing is going to stick around. The key to successful long-term development will be seeing your business through this fresh lens of technology.

[03:26] Beyond the hardware: Frank shares the commitments that eased his firm’s move to remote operations, as well as the real focus for maintaining remote teams — keeping your people connected on a personal level.

[06:16] Recalibrating relationships: Frank discusses the ways that marketing and networking have pivoted away from...

Did you take a leap in your law career in the past year, or have you been wondering whether the middle of a global pandemic is the right time to make a big change?

Whether your firm is just getting started or you’re looking to start afresh in the new year, you can take steps in the right direction by keeping your eyes and ears open to the realities of a changing business landscape.

In this episode, host Robert Ingalls sits down with friend and business litigator Kyle J. Nutt to discuss his experience of opening his law firm just weeks before COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic.

Kyle shares how he and his business partner relied on good client relationships and a strong network to get the firm off the ground, and how he has turned to technology, such as video conferencing and online reviews to keep their work on track.

From conducting business remotely to staying connected with clients and colleagues, Kyle reveals how staying flexible in the firm’s first year has set them up for success down the line.

“Ultimately, if you've got something that under normal circumstances would be a good venture that you have strong feelings about going out on your own,” says Kyle, “My advice is: Go for it. But do so cautiously and with a good appreciation of the changing world around us.”

Name: Kyle J. Nutt

What he does: Kyle is a Wilmington, N.C.-based litigation attorney who specializes in business litigation, including medical malpractice, personal injury, and construction litigation. He and partner Cory Reiss opened their law firm, Reiss & Nutt, in January 2020.

Company: Reiss & Nutt, PLLC 

Words of wisdom: “You have to keep your eyes on what's going on in the world, especially with the Coronavirus, and see: How is it shaping — or reshaping — the landscape of how we're doing business?”

Connect: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Email

Lessons learned on running your law practice from a distance

Video conferencing is (and will continue to be) a game-changer — Whether it’s conducting remote depositions from several states away or consulting with a new client over FaceTime, video conferencing platforms have been key to keeping the phones ringing and cases moving forward.

Take advantage of this time to get to know your business better — Faced with empty court calendars and no support staff, Kyle and his partner dove deep into the firm’s systems and processes. This firsthand experience has put them in the best position for hiring new employees when the time comes.

Make the most of your web presence — Leverage search engine optimization (SEO), online consumer reviews, and relevant blog content to keep your business development game strong, or even get it off the ground.

[01:08] Taking the leap: Kyle discusses the decision to open up a new law firm in early 2020, and what it was like to be facing down a global emergency just a few weeks into a new venture.

[06:49] Building a network: Kyle reveals the efforts that made the biggest contribution to his new firm’s success as they set up shop.

[13:28] Putting a...