The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) continues to sharpen its focus on how law firms use, manage, and protect technology.
While the principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of client data are nothing new, recent guidance makes one thing clear: technology risk is now inseparable from professional risk.
For many firms, this creates a challenge. You are expected to evidence secure, resilient, and well-governed IT systems, even if you are not an IT specialist yourself.
This article looks at what the latest SRA technology expectations mean in practice and how firms can respond with confidence.
Proactive Cyber Security Is Now a Regulatory Expectation
Recent SRA guidance places increased emphasis on proactive cyber security, not just reactive fixes after an incident. This includes:
- Regular risk assessments covering systems, users, and third-party suppliers.
- Ongoing monitoring for threats such as phishing, ransomware, and unauthorised access.
- Clear accountability at partner or director level for technology-related risk.
For law firms, this reinforces a shift away from informal or ad hoc IT management. Cyber security for law firms must be demonstrable, repeatable, and aligned with professional obligations around client confidentiality and data protection.
Importantly, firms are expected to understand where their risks sit, even if specialist providers manage the underlying technology.
Backup and Disaster Recovery: From “Nice to Have” to Essential
The SRA’s focus on business continuity means firms must be able to show that client data can be recovered quickly and reliably after an incident – whether that’s a cyber-attack, system failure, or accidental deletion.
This is no longer theoretical. Recent government data reveals that around 612,000 businesses have experienced data loss in the last 12 months, yet many have been unable to restore systems within acceptable timeframes due to improper protocols in place. For compliance-focused law firms, this means:
- Secure, off-site backups that cannot be altered by attackers.
- Clearly defined recovery time and recovery point objectives.
- Regularly tested restoration procedures, with evidence that tests have been completed.
Being able to state “we have backups” is not enough. Firms must be confident and able to prove that those backups work.
Technology Competence Applies to Leadership Too
SRA expectations around competence increasingly extend to technology oversight. While practice leaders are not expected to be technical experts, they are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure their IT infrastructure supports regulatory compliance. This includes assurance that:
- Systems are secure, supported, and kept up to date.
- Risks are understood and documented.
- Decisions around technology are informed and proportionate.
For many partners and COLPs, this creates pressure. Without clear reporting and expert guidance, it can be difficult to know whether your IT environment genuinely meets regulatory standards.
This is where structured IT support for legal firms becomes essential – not just to “run IT”, but to provide clarity and confidence at the leadership level.
Turning SRA Standards into Practical, Compliant IT
At Cloud Geeni, we specialise in supporting law firms operating under strict regulatory requirements. Our ISO27001 certification underpins a security-led approach that aligns naturally with SRA expectations around data protection, risk management, and governance.
Rather than overwhelming firms with technical detail, we focus on translating regulatory language into practical actions, such as:
- Secure cloud infrastructure designed for legal workloads.
- Cyber security frameworks tailored to law firm risk profiles.
- Backup and disaster recovery solutions with documented testing.
- Clear reporting that supports partner and compliance oversight.
With deep experience in the legal sector, we understand that compliance goes beyond technology, encompassing evidence, assurance, and trust.
Evidence Matters: Why Specialist IT Providers Make Compliance Easier
One of the most consistent themes in SRA guidance is evidence. Firms must be able to demonstrate the steps they have taken to manage technology risk. Working with a specialist provider helps firms evidence compliance through:
- Documented security policies and controls.
- Regular vulnerability assessments and reviews.
- Third-party validation of cyber security posture.
- Audit-ready reporting for insurers, regulators, and clients.
This approach not only reduces regulatory risk but also strengthens a firm’s overall resilience and reputation.
Book a Compliance-Focused IT Review Today
Technology is now firmly embedded in the SRA’s view of professional responsibility. Law firms that treat IT as a strategic compliance issue – rather than a background operational task – are far better placed to meet regulatory expectations and protect client trust.
Ensure your IT meets SRA standards – book a compliance-focused IT review.
FAQs: SRA Technology Standards & Legal IT
- What are the SRA’s expectations around IT and cyber security?
The SRA expects law firms to take reasonable steps to protect client data, manage technology risks, and ensure business continuity, including proactive cyber security measures and tested backups. - Do law firms need specialist IT support to meet SRA standards?
While not mandatory, specialist IT support for legal firms makes it significantly easier to evidence compliance, manage risk, and provide assurance to partners and regulators. - How does cyber security for law firms differ from other sectors?
Law firms handle highly sensitive client data and are frequent targets for cybercrime, meaning security controls, access management, and incident response must be particularly robust. - What role do backups play in SRA compliance?
Backups and disaster recovery are essential for demonstrating business continuity. Firms must be able to restore data quickly and prove that recovery processes are regularly tested. - How can Cloud Geeni help with SRA compliance?
Cloud Geeni combines ISO27001-certified security practices with legal sector expertise, helping firms align their IT infrastructure with SRA technology standards in a practical, compliant way.
