CYBER THREAT INTEL: UK Legal Sector Sees 39% Surge in Data Breaches—7.9M People Affected

A new analysis of ICO  data by NetDocuments  has revealed a worrying 39% rise in data breaches across the UK legal sector, exposing sensitive data of 7.9 million individuals—equivalent to 12% of the UK population.

The findings highlight a major cybersecurity crisis within law firms, as external breaches surged from 40% to 50% of all incidents in the past year. Phishing attacks remain the biggest external threat, accounting for 56% of cases. Yet, insider breaches continue to be just as damaging, with half of all reported incidents originating from within—and a staggering 39% of internal breaches attributed to human error.

🔹 External breaches now make up 50% of incidents, with phishing (56%) as the top threat.
🔹 Insider breaches remain a major issue, with 39% linked to human error.

Legal firms, which handle highly confidential client data, are under increasing pressure to enhance security without disrupting operational efficiency. David Hansen, VP of Compliance at NetDocuments, stressed the urgency: “With legal data breaches affecting one in ten people in the UK, firms must strike a balance between security and productivity as the sector continues to digitalise.”

CyberInsights Take:
With the legal industry at high risk, firms must fortify internal controls, strengthen cyber hygiene, and adopt smarter security frameworks. As cybercriminals refine their tactics, a proactive defence strategy is no longer optional—it’s essential.

🔹 Stay alert. Stay secure. Stay CyberSafe.