Why Ransomware Reporting Matters for Australian Legal Firms in 2025

Why Are Legal Firms Being Targeted by Ransomware Attacks?

Australian law firms are increasingly becoming prime targets for cybercriminals due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle—confidential client information, financial records, and intellectual property.

The legal sector’s strict confidentiality obligations and compliance requirements make breaches especially damaging.

According to Essential Tech, 21% of surveyed Australian law firms experienced a cyberattack in the past year, and 81% reported phishing attempts—an increase of 14% from the previous year.

Meanwhile, Lawyers Weekly reports that law firms are “proving a perfect target for cybercriminals,” with pressure mounting on firms to enhance their cybersecurity strategies.

This data is clear: legal practices are in the crosshairs—and the risks are growing.

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What Are the New Ransomware Reporting Laws for Australian Legal Firms?

As of 30 May 2025, the Cyber Security Act 2024 introduces a mandatory reporting framework that applies to ransomware payments made by Australian businesses, including law firms.

You must report a ransomware payment if:

• Your annual turnover is $3 million or more
• A payment is made in response to a ransomware or extortion demand
• The payment is made directly by your business or on your behalf by a third party (e.g. an insurer, incident response provider, or broker)

Non-compliance could result in fines, regulatory scrutiny, and even breaches of professional conduct under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (LPUL). For more details on how to meet your obligations, see our full guide.

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Why Early Ransomware Reporting Helps Your Legal Practice

Timely ransomware reporting isn’t just about meeting regulatory deadlines—it’s a smart business move and a crucial part of building cyber resilience.

The intent behind the Cyber Security Act 2024 is not to penalise businesses but to support them. By mandating early notification of ransomware payments, the Australian Government aims to improve national visibility of emerging threats, coordinate effective responses, and prevent other organisations from falling victim to similar attacks. Legal firms are not being targeted by regulators—they are being asked to contribute to a collective defence strategy.

Early reporting enables rapid intervention. It gives your firm access to coordinated support from cyber authorities and security professionals, helping to contain the threat, preserve evidence, and minimise downtime or data loss. It also increases the likelihood of identifying the source and scope of the attack before more serious damage is done.

For legal practices, this is especially important. In a profession built on discretion and trust, how you respond to a cyber incident can shape your reputation and client relationships for years to come.

Transparent, well-managed incident reporting shows clients that you are proactive, responsible, and capable of protecting their information, even under pressure.

Moreover, your report doesn’t just help your firm. The information you provide contributes to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s national threat intelligence, allowing authorities to detect attack trends, issue timely warnings, and develop better defence strategies across all industries.

In short, early ransomware reporting is about strengthening the broader business community while protecting your firm’s integrity, compliance standing, and long-term success.

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How Can Legal Firms Prepare for Ransomware Incidents?

There are five practical steps every legal firm should take now to prepare for the upcoming ransomware reporting deadline.

1. Develop a Ransomware Incident Response Plan

Build a step-by-step protocol for dealing with a ransomware attack. Identify key decision-makers, outline communication workflows, and rehearse the plan regularly to ensure your team knows what to do under pressure.

2. Implement Strong Cybersecurity Controls

Legal firms need more than basic antivirus to stay protected. Invest in advanced email threat protection to block phishing and malicious attachments, endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor and isolate compromised devices, and immutable off-site backups to ensure data recovery in the event of a ransomware attack.

3. Train Your Staff

Human error remains the leading cause of cyber breaches. Run regular phishing simulations and educate staff on reporting procedures and the risks of handling confidential data carelessly. As Essential Tech notes, 63% of law firms do not have formal cybersecurity training—an avoidable gap.

4. Use Compliance-Ready Templates

Use tools like DefenderSuite’s Ransomware Reporting Template to simplify documentation and ensure your reporting meets government expectations.

5. Partner with Cybersecurity Experts

If you don’t have in-house IT security staff, a managed service provider can offer the strategic support you need—24/7 monitoring, compliance assistance, and incident response capabilities tailored for law firms.

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Is Cybersecurity a Legal or Business Issue? It’s Both.

In the legal sector, everything revolves around trust, confidentiality, and compliance. A single breach can undermine all three, exposing your firm to regulatory scrutiny, loss of client confidence, and potential claims of professional negligence.

For business owners, cybersecurity is a strategic investment in operational continuity, regulatory protection, and long-term client confidence.

A resilient security posture ensures your firm can continue serving clients without disruption, even during an incident. It also demonstrates to clients and regulators that your business takes its obligations seriously.

In a competitive market, law firms that proactively invest in cyber resilience will stand out. They are better positioned to win and retain clients, meet evolving compliance standards, and recover quickly from unexpected threats.

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Need Help With Compliance?

At Superior IT, we specialise in helping Australian businesses strengthen their cybersecurity defences and meet their obligations under the Cyber Security Act 2024. From ransomware response planning to regulatory reporting, we support you in staying compliant, protecting your operations, and communicating effectively with relevant authorities.

Call Us: 1300 93 77 49

Email: info@superiorit.com.au

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