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Quantum cybersecurity GGS Law Lawers

Post-quantum cybersecurity in law firms

NOTE: This article was first published in Law360 Canada on October 7, 2024

Law360 Canada (October 7, 2024, 3:04 PM EDT) -- Computer science has attracted excessive discussions over the past few years, especially within the legal sector. Technological evolution in artificial intelligence (AI) and other similar technologies continue to impact the legal industry in countless ways, including, but not restricted to, automation of administrative tasks, enabling AI-driven case evaluations and enhancing research and review capabilities. As the law continues to evolve, more sophisticated methodologies are expected to emerge, furthering the transformation of legal practice. Confidentiality is fundamental to the practice of law and is a core ethical obligation that all lawyers and law firms are bound to uphold. Confidential information, once securely stored in physical formats, has been transferred to digital environments. Although lawyers are not traditionally well-versed in digital storage technologies, the legal profession increasingly relies on digital infrastructure to manage and protect sensitive information, raising critical considerations with respect to data security and privacy in the era of pervasive digitalization. In the next few years, lawyers and law firms will experience significant impacts due to the advancements in cybersecurity technology. As cyber threats continue to grow in sophistication, the ability of the legal industry to effectively mitigate these risks remain a pressing concern. The rapid advancement in the methodology of cybercriminals often outpaces the development of cyber defense mechanisms, highlighting an urgent requirement of enhanced cybersecurity measures in law firms.

Law firms’ strategic response to cybersecurity threats

Law firms have seen an alarming rise in sophisticated cyberattacks targeting, in particular, large   law firms. According to a recent survey by Artic Wolf and Above the Law, 39 per cent of respondents reported their firm experienced a security breach in the past year and 56 per cent of those respondents confirmed losing confidential client data — a devastating outcome for any legal practice(Yamri Taddese, “Law Firms Targeted in Top 10 Worst Cyber Attacks.” Canadian Lawyer, April 19,2013). The heightened threat of cybercrime is attributable to cybercriminals leveraging sophisticated computational models, such as quantum computing. Quantum computing allows the possibility of “compromising encryption and public key infrastructure encryption, in particular.” (Haitham Al Jowhari, “Fighting cybercrime in the age of quantum computing.” AGBI, Jan. 25, 2024). Given the many recent cybersecurity breach scandals, law firm sought to significantly enhance their attention and investment in advanced technological solutions to safeguard confidential data. This strategic shift will require law firms to adopt methodologies that mimic the sophisticated models utilized by cybercriminals, given deploying less intelligent systems would be counterproductive.

New Defence against cybersecurity threats: Quantum computing

To effectively counteract the intelligent systems employed by cybercriminals, law firms must evolve beyond conventional defence mechanisms and explore new technologies such as quantum computing. Classical computers use bits, or binary digits, which are the smallest units of data that a computer can store and process. “A bit is always in one of two physical states, similar to an on/off light switch.”(Robert Sheldon, “What is a Bit? (Binary Digit) in Computing?”) Similar to on/off, a bit can be yes/no, true/false and any single binary value such as 0 or 1.Quantum computing though, uses quantum bits, also referred to as qubits. Unlike bits, qubits are confined by single binary values, meaning a qubit can be 0 and 1 or values between those two simultaneously. To illustrate, imagine a coin spinning in the air: when it lands, it is not just heads or tails, it is in a state of being both. This allows qubits to represent multiple possibilities at once, facilitating complex calculations that are impossible for classical computers to process. Additionally, qubits can become entangled, meaning the state of one qubit is able to directly manipulate and influence the state of another qubit, regardless of their proximity. “Entanglement even baffled Einstein, who famously described it as ‘spooky action at a distance.’” (Martin Giles,“ Explainer: What Is a Quantum Computer?” MIT Technology Review). Entanglement allows quantum computers to perform at unprecedented speeds, thereby revolutionizing areas such as cryptography, blockchain, cloud storage and cybersecurity defence mechanisms. “Traditional encryption methods, such as RSA and ECC, rely on the complexity of factoring large numbers” or solving discrete logarithms (Edward Kiledjian, “Introducing Quantum Secure Encryption; Safeguarding the Future of Cybersecurity.” Insights For Success, May 14, 2024) — tasks that quantum computers can perform exponentially faster, thus making these methods vulnerable to interception. In countering this, law firms must adopt quantum-resistant algorithms, also known as post-quantum cryptography. “National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has chosen the first group of encryption tools that are designed to withstand the assault of a future quantum computer, which could potentially crack the security used to protect privacy in the digital systems we rely on everyday — such as online banking and email software. The four selected encryption algorithms will become part of NIST’s post-quantum cryptographic standard, expected to be finalized in about two years.” (“NIST Announces First Four Quantum-Resistant Cryptographic Algorithms,” National Institute of Standards and Technology.) These encryption tools will be able to withstand attacks from both classical and quantum computers, providing a layer of security for confidential data.

Cybersecurity arms race: The catch-22 between law firms and hackers

The integration of quantum algorithms into the practice of law is a change that, while promising, introduces substantial challenges in addition to its potential benefits. While the progress of quantum computing holds the promise of transforming legal analytics, it also escalates the sophistication of cybersecurity threats. Continuously adapting and enhancing security measures to offset the evolving strategies of cybercriminals becomes a requirement. These dynamics present an unavoidable reality: the legal profession shall proactively engage with these emerging technologies. This engagement is not merely an option but a requisite, driven by the fundamental ethical obligation to maintain client confidentiality and safeguard sensitive data.

Conclusion

The integration of quantum computing into law firms’ cybersecurity strategies is crucial in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The inevitability of adopting quantum-resistant algorithms within the legal industry is a matter that demands immediate and serious consideration. As quantum computing rapidly advances, its potential to break conventional cryptographic systems, which are foundational to data security, becomes increasingly likely. This looming threat is not a distant hypothetical but a near-future reality, likely to materialize within the next few years. Consequently, law firms — guards of highly sensitive client information — will have to proactively transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic methods to safeguard their data.

Fatima Manzoor

Fatima Manzoor graduated from of the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, and is currently completing her articles with us at Green Germann Sakran, where she focuses primarily on corporate law. During her time in law school, Fatima developed a keen interest in the intersection of law and technology, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. She continues to delve into pressing issues surrounding cybersecurity, post-quantum algorithms, and the integration of advanced computing technologies within the legal landscape.

COVID-19 Impact on Residential & Commercial Tenancies

Commercial

The Ontario government hasn’t provided any assistance yet to commercial tenants. There is mounting public and media pressure to get something done before April 1st. Media reports have been urging commercial landlords to be lenient with their tenants and show some compassion such as:

  • Rent deferrals;
  • Rent abatements;
  • Alternative pay structure;
  • Short term arrangements.

Read more about COVID-19 impacts on commercial tenancies

Residential

This is a collection of information on what the Province of Ontario is doing or intending to do for residential tenancies in dealing with the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis:

NOTE: Despite Premier Doug Ford’s announcements to protect residential tenants, No formal policy details have yet been unveiled by the government.

Summary:

  • March 19, 2020: Ford announces suspensions of all evictions;
  • March 19, 2020: LTB suspends all hearings relating to eviction applications, the issuance of eviction orders etc…
  • March 26, 2020: The Government of Ontario issued an Emergency Order suspending limitation periods and procedural time periods relevant to tribunal proceedings;
  • March 26, 2020: Doug Ford announced that Ontario tenants who don’t pay rent on April 1st won’t be evicted, but this is only for emergencies. Premier Doug Ford’s point is that people should not have to decide between paying rent and putting food on the table.

Read more about COVID-19 impacts on commercial tenancies

Downtown Burlington Real Estate Lawyers, GGS LAW

Here’s a Crazy Idea… Burlington Real Estate Development

Burlington Real Estate Development

Why don’t we include developers vested in the downtown in the City’s ongoing “engagement” process on Grow Bold?  Why not bring developers to the table?

Why are we afraid to ask the private sector, experts in development, to participate openly in the process?

Why not bring developers together in a room (initially away from the public – away from the anger, hostility and venom) and ask for their “help” in dealing with the public fears on:

  1. The loss of sunlight;
  2. Increase in vehicular congestion;
  3. Loss of green and liveable space;
  4. Ensuring safe pedestrian flow and places of gathering;
  5. Promotion of downtown businesses;
  6. Ensuring sufficient parking for residents and visitors; and,
  7. Any other big issue item….

Developers are not afraid of criticism.  They deal with it all the time.  And, they can be a powerful team to help with resident issues if we ask them.

Why not ask them to sign onto a Memorandum of Understanding to come up with a coordinated design away from the fear of public scrutiny and criticism, at least in the initial stages of brainstorming and design.

Challenge them to put together a coordinated plan or design, and more than one plan or design, which addresses the public concerns and ensures an integrated approach to responsible development rather than the “one-offs” we are currently getting with individual development applications.

Put their coordinated plan or design(s) before the citizen engagement forums.  At least the residents would have something tangible to review and comment on.

Developers will listen, and even though they may not like the resident feedback, the hope is that their engagement gives them an incentive to incorporate good design ideas into their individual development applications.

What do we have to lose?

I told you it was a crazy idea…..

Karmel Sakran, Ask a Real Estate Lawyer »