Cyber-security overtakes AI as top investment priority for law firms
A survey of the UK’s largest law firms, conducted by HSBC UK in partnership with The Lawyermagazine, suggests that investment in cyber-security is topping their list of tech investment priorities after 70 per cent admitted experiencing a cyber-attack.
More than four-out-of-five (84 per cent) firms cite cyber-security as their main technology focus over the next three years. A quarter of firms have reported a cyber-attack within the last two years alone.
The second annual report by HSBC UK shows cyber-security overtaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) as law firms’ number one investment focus, pushing AI investment into third place. This is despite plans to invest in AI rising from 65 per cent to 68 per cent since last year.
Simon Adcock, HSBC UK’s Head of Professional Services, said: “With such a high proportion of firms exposed to cyber-attacks, it’s not surprising that improving cyber-security is of such importance. The frequency and sophistication of attacks is continuing to rise and recent high-profile incidents have only served to underline this, demonstrating the potentially catastrophic impact that a breach can have on a law firm.”
The findings also suggest that investment in new and innovative technology, such as AI and automation, is about to peak. According to HSBC UK, the most plausible reason for this is that many firms have already purchased and implemented the systems they need and are now working on maximising the capability of those systems and assessing the return on their investment.
As such, firms are anticipating a shift in their spending over the next three years, with the majority (60 per cent) of their tech investment going on ‘business as usual’ (BAU) requirements, such as Practice Management Systems and Customer Relationship Management tools, rather than focusing solely on innovative and emerging tech.
Simon Adcock continued: “It’s seemed like every major law firm has been rushing to invest in AI and machine learning over the last few years to bring benefits to clients and stay ahead of the competition. While this will continue, our research points to a slight change of direction on the horizon to BAU requirements while they digest and evaluate the returns that these new platforms are delivering.”
Source londonlovesbusiness
Industry: Cyber Security News
Latest Jobs
-
- Business Development | Healthcare | Warm accounts | UK
- England
- N/A
-
Business Development | Healthcare | Warm accounts | UK Healthcare Cyber Security UK Based An experienced Business Development Manager is required to drive new cyber security revenue across a warm healthcare account base. This role is focused on new business and account growth, engaging healthcare organisations to understand risk, priorities, and operational challenges, and positioning appropriate cyber security solutions and services. Key Responsibilities Drive new business sales into a warm healthcare account base Develop and close new opportunities across healthcare organisations Build senior level relationships with IT, security, and procurement stakeholders Own the full sales lifecycle from first conversation through to close Work closely with technical pre sales and delivery teams Experience Required Proven B2B new business sales experience within cyber security or technology Healthcare sector experience desirable Strong consultative sales and closing capability Ability to achieve UK Security Clearance is required UK based with flexibility to travel What’s on Offer Warm accounts with new business focus Clear revenue ownership Competitive base salary with uncapped commission
-
- Technical Pre Sales Cybersecurity Consultant. Healthcare
- England
- N/A
-
Technical Pre Sales Cybersecurity Consultant UK Remote | Healthcare Focus Overview We are seeking an experienced Technical Pre Sales Cybersecurity Consultant to support healthcare organisations by delivering advisory, solution design, and security uplift services. This role focuses on improving security outcomes, addressing operational challenges, and enabling informed technology decisions across complex and regulated environments. The position blends technical pre sales expertise with a consultative approach, working closely with clinical, technical, and commercial stakeholders to shape effective cybersecurity solutions. The individual must be able to achieve UK Security Clearance. Key Responsibilities Provide technical pre sales support across cybersecurity solutions and services for healthcare organisations Engage stakeholders to understand security challenges, risks, and operational pain points Deliver advisory guidance and recommendations to strengthen security posture and resilience Translate customer requirements into clear, outcome focused technical and commercial solution designs Act as a trusted technical advisor throughout the sales and early delivery lifecycle Produce clear technical documentation, recommendations, and customer facing materials suitable for regulated environments Collaborate closely with sales, delivery, and technical teams to align solutions with customer needs Experience and Skills Proven experience in technical pre sales or cybersecurity consultancy Experience working within healthcare or other highly regulated sectors Broad knowledge of cybersecurity technologies, managed services, and risk based approaches Strong communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non technical stakeholders Confident operating in a client facing, consultative role UK based role with remote working Occasional travel for customer engagement as required
-
- Contract Technical Pre Sales Cyber Security Healthcare. SC clearance needed
- England
- Outside IR35
-
Contract Technical Pre Sales Cyber Security Healthcare Outside IR35 Contract | UK Remote | Healthcare Focus Existing SC clearance is required. Overview Seeking an experienced Technical Pre Sales Cybersecurity Consultant is required to deliver advisory and uplift services across complex healthcare organisations. This Outside IR35 contract operates on a consultancy basis, focused on improving security outcomes, addressing operational pain points, and supporting informed Cyber Security decisions. The role combines deep technical pre sales capability with consultative advisory delivery, working across clinical, technical, and commercial stakeholders to shape effective and proportionate cybersecurity solutions. Responsibilities Provide technical pre sales consultancy across cybersecurity solutions and services within healthcare environments Engage senior stakeholders to understand security challenges, risks, and operational pain points Deliver advisory guidance and uplift recommendations to improve security posture, resilience, and maturity Translate healthcare requirements into clear, outcome focused technical and commercial propositions Act as a trusted technical advisor throughout the pre sales and early engagement lifecycle Produce concise technical documentation, recommendations, and advisory outputs suitable for regulated healthcare settings Experience Strong background in technical pre sales or cybersecurity consultancy Experience working with healthcare or other highly regulated environments Broad understanding of cybersecurity technologies, managed services, and risk based security approaches Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non technical audiences Comfortable operating independently in a client facing advisory role
-
- London Sales Manager, Key Clients. Security. Immediate
- London
- N/A
-
London Sales Manager, Key Clients A senior sales leadership role within the cyber security services and technology market, focused on account development and revenue growth across key clients. You will lead a sales team with responsibility for customer retention, increasing share of wallet and maintaining a strong commercial pipeline. The role works closely with technical, delivery and marketing teams, as well as technology partners. Key focus Lead and coach a field based sales team Own forecasting, pipeline quality and revenue delivery Drive renewals and account development Expand customer investment across services and solutions Build relationships with vendors and partners Background Proven experience managing enterprise sales teams Consistent performance against revenue targets Cyber or IT security sales leadership experience Exposure to Palo Alto, Check Point, Microsoft, etc Commercially focused with a structured sales approach A role for a sales leader focused on long term client value and sustainable growth.