How to Run a Mac Based Law Firm
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The document outlines essential do's and don'ts for running a secure and productive mac-based law firm, focusing on ten key pillars including hardware, software, and security. It emphasizes the importance of investing in modern technology, using business-grade solutions, and maintaining rigorous backup and security policies. The presentation aims to guide law firms in effectively managing their IT infrastructure without delving into complex technology discussions.
How to Run a Mac Based Law Firm
- 1. HOW TO RUN A MAC-BASED LAW FIRM DON’Ts and Do’s Tom Lambotte, CEOTom Lambotte, CEO
- 2. What this presentation is NOT: • Convincing you Macs are better • Not a complex technology discussion • Review your options for IT support (see the 3 previous articles on Legal Productivity) • A deep dive into one specific area
- 3. Dont’s and Do’s on the 10 pillars of running a secure, productive Mac-based law firm 1. Hardware 2. Software 3. Backup 4. Email 5. Security & Network 6. Mobile Device Management 7. Case Management 8. File management 9. Servers 10. Legacy items
- 4. HARDWARE DON’T Use Macs older than 3 years Buy spinning hard drives Work hunched over your laptop
- 5. HARDWARE DO Budget to upgrade every 3 years Invest in solid state hard drives Use a dedicated monitor - good ergonomics
- 6. SOFTWARE DON’T Use home, personal licenses Be the first/early adopter Use free software for important things Use Messages for firm communications
- 7. SOFTWARE DO Invest in productivity boosters Wait to install updates Update Regularly Use business-grade communications software like Slack
- 8. BACKUPS DON’T Rely on Time Machine Rely on local backups only Assume your backups work Leave backups unencrypted
- 9. BACKUPS DO Make local, encrypted backups Invest in cloud backup Regularly scheduled, random test restores Review backup configurations from time to time
- 10. EMAIL DON’T Use free/cheap email Use a general domain such as: Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or an AOL account
- 11. EMAIL DO Pay for business class email Setup Archiving/Backup solution
- 12. SECURITY & NETWORK DON’T Use an Airport Router Use an inexpensive, “Best Buy” solution Have open WiFi/shared WiFi Use the Mac software-based VPN Write down or use shared/repeated passwords
- 13. SECURITY & NETWORK DO Invest in enterprise-grade solutions Firewalls with automatic security definition updates Secured, wireless and guest network solution Use an enterprise-grade VPN Use a password manager such as 1Password for Teams or LastPass Use multiple layers of security, such as OpenDNS Umbrella for threat protection
- 14. MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT DON’T Put firm data on mobile devices without a tool providing control Think that just changing passwords is solution Don’t operate without an MDM policy Use iCloud as your MDM solution
- 15. MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT DO Enroll devices in a Mobile Device Management platform/solution (Meraki Systems Manager, Harvest, Airwatch) Implement security policies Have an MDM policy in place
- 16. CASE MANAGEMENT DON’T Rely on address book, calendar, and legal pads to manage the firm’s matters Rely on ancient bloatware as a solution Build your own in Filemaker database
- 17. CASE MANAGEMENT DO Invest in a modern, cloud-based solution Leverage streamlined processes
- 18. FILE MANAGEMENT DON’T Share a single user Dropbox account Use a single user in OS X Server Assume VPN works! Set it and forget it
- 19. FILE MANAGEMENT DO Invest in right solution Build logical structure Test and verify VPN and streamline process Set user permissions Revisit structure and regularly clean it up
- 20. SERVER DON’T Underbuy Follow the crowd Blindly rule out the Cloud
- 21. SERVER DO Invest in the right solution Ask an expert Consider cloud storage options
- 22. LEGACY ITEMS DON’T Leave everything on an old PC Try to move everything over
- 23. LEGACY ITEMS DO Purge and clean! Migrate to a new PC/VM that is also backed up
- 24. AFTER THIS WEBINAR DON’T Let your notes get lost in Evernote or your Legalpad Forget about me :(
- 25. AFTER THIS WEBINAR DO one of the following: Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter, MACLAW ADVISOR: News to Make Your Law Firm Run Faster, Easier and More ProfitablyRequest a copy of my book, Hassle Free Mac IT Support for Law Firms globalmacit.com/book/ globalmacit.com/subscribe
- 26. Tom Lambotte, CEO HOW TO RUN A MAC-BASED LAW FIRM DON’Ts and Do’s