Cybersecurity for Professional Services Firms
Privileged client data, regulatory pressure, and client cybersecurity questionnaires — handled.
Why professional services
Law firms, CPA firms, and consulting firms hold some of the most sensitive data in the economy. Privileged client communications. Tax records. M&A diligence. Litigation strategy. Trade secrets. Client PII at scale. The threat actors know this. Law firms in particular have become primary targets because they aggregate sensitive data across clients without the security maturity of those clients.
The regulatory and contractual pressure is increasing in three directions at once:
ABA Model Rule 1.6(c) and Texas Disciplinary Rule 1.05 require lawyers to take "reasonable efforts" to protect client information. State bars are starting to interpret "reasonable" with more specificity, and several states now require formal cybersecurity programs.
IRS Publication 4557 and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Safeguards Rule together require all paid tax preparers to have a documented Written Information Security Plan (WISP). Most don't. Enforcement is increasing.
Enterprise clients now send detailed cybersecurity questionnaires to their outside counsel, audit firms, and consultants. "We use a managed service provider" is no longer an acceptable answer.
What VALO brings
A security-first consultancy that understands what privileged data actually looks like in practice. We've operated under confidentiality regimes adjacent to legal and accounting work — banking, healthcare, government — where the consequences of disclosure are real. We're not learning the regulatory landscape on your engagement.
Common engagements
ABA Model Rule 1.6 alignment, written information security program, client cybersecurity questionnaire response, matter-level security for sensitive engagements.
IRS Publication 4557-aligned written information security plan, client tax data protection, and Safeguards Rule compliance.
Client NDA and confidentiality compliance, client cybersecurity questionnaire response, and security program documentation suitable for enterprise client review.
Most professional services firms face increasing scrutiny from their cyber insurance underwriters. We translate the underwriter's questions into operational reality.
Documented incident response plans, tabletop exercises, and breach response coordination tailored to professional services obligations.
Who VALO serves in professional services
Mid-sized law firms, particularly those handling litigation, M&A, healthcare, financial services, or intellectual property work. Independent and regional CPA firms, tax firms, and accounting practices. Management consulting firms. Engineering and architecture firms with sensitive client data. Marketing and PR firms handling enterprise client confidential information.
Generally between 10 and 250 employees, with at least one regulatory or contractual driver requiring a documented security program.
Who VALO doesn't serve
AmLaw 100 firms with full internal CISO and security team functions. The Big Four and other large accounting firms.
Case studies
Case studies coming soon — pending client permission to publish.
Schedule a professional services security conversation.
We'll discuss your client data obligations, what your questionnaires are asking for, and what a defensible security program looks like for your firm.
Schedule a conversation