Not surprisingly, online data storage can generate a bit of queasiness. Lawyers have an ethical responsibility to protect client information from inadvertently falling into the hands of inappropriate others; failing to carry through with that duty can generate unfortunate repercussions.
A lawyer's immediate reaction, then, might be to completely dismiss the idea of online storage, and choose instead to stockpile client files as physically close to his or her desk as possible.
For electronically stored information, that typically means the files are saved to their local computer (e.g., My Documents folder) and stashed there permanently (usually without password protection).
On the other hand, the same lawyer may never think twice about attaching a document to an e-mail message and sending it swirling around the Internet.
MATURING ALTERNATIVE
Cloud computing is maturing into a plausible alternative. The cloud metaphor may sound mysterious, but your files are still getting saved to a computer, it's just not the one sitting on your desk. Instead, it's usually a server-class machine, probably located in an ultrasafe bunker. Online storage services appear in many varieties.
On one end of the spectrum, you have massive data centers from LexisNexis and Thomson Reuter that offer full-service outsourced technology services, including storage, backup and business continuity services.
Other vendors offer sophisticated, specialized virtual data rooms, including Intralinks and Merrill's DataSite, as well as virtual deal rooms, such as Firmex. These vendors offer secure, remote access 24/7/365 to your data.
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Source: law.com
By: Brett Burney
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