Case Study: How We Stopped Ransomware Threats for a Mid-Size Law Firm

The firm experienced a surge in ransomware attempts over a 6-month period.

Published on: August 13, 2025

Executive Summary

A mid-size law firm with 150 employees faced a rapid rise in ransomware threats targeting sensitive client case files. Over six months, phishing emails and malicious attachments bypassed outdated security tools, exposing the firm to potential operational downtime and reputational damage.

We implemented a comprehensive 90-day defense program combining advanced threat monitoring, upgraded phishing protection, and targeted staff training. This layered approach reduced the firm’s breach risk score by 50% within three months.

Key results included:

Zero successful ransomware incidents in the past 12 months
Phishing click rate reduced from 33% to .82%
All attempted ransomware payloads blocked before execution
Incident response time improved from 47 minutes to 4.5 minutes

The project not only addressed immediate risks but also established long-term security resilience, meeting both operational and compliance requirements.

Client Information

Industry: Legal Services
Employees: 150
Locations: 3 offices across Maryland / DC
Core Systems: Cloud-based document management, email, case management software
Compliance Requirements: ABA Cybersecurity Guidelines
IT Staff: 3 Members of the full time IT staff.

The Challenge

Frequent phishing attempts: Averaging 120 suspicious emails per week
Limited monitoring: No centralized visibility into endpoint threats
Weak filtering: Legacy email gateway missed 47% of malicious attachments
Untrained staff: No structured phishing awareness program in place
High breach cost risk: Estimated potential downtime cost per day of $180,000

Leadership feared both financial loss and reputational damage if attackers succeeded.

The Solution

Threat Monitoring and Incident Response

Implemented our full SOC package with AI-driven detection for ransomware behaviors
Linked all endpoints to a centralized SIEM for correlation and alerting
Established a 24/7 Security Operations Center escalation protocol
Set up automated containment rules to isolate infected devices within seconds

E-mail Phishing Defense Upgrade and Monitoring

Replaced outdated email filtering with our managed INKY e-mail security solution.
Added attachment sandboxing to block suspicious files before delivery
Configured DMARC, SPF, and DKIM to reduce spoofing

Security Awareness Training

Delivered interactive phishing training to all staff, including attorneys and paralegals
Launched simulated phishing campaigns every 2 weeks to measure progress
Created a “Report Suspicious” button in Outlook to streamline reporting

Policy / Process Reinforcement

Updated incident response playbook with ransomware-specific workflows
Conducted tabletop exercises with leadership to rehearse breach scenarios

How the Numbers Stack Up

Data-driven proof of how our strategies turned vulnerabilities into strengths.

Breach risk score dropped from 76 to a 09
Phishing click rate fell from 33% to .82%
32 of attempted ransomware blocked pre-execution
Zero successful ransomware incidents in the past 12 months
Incident response time reduced from 47 minutes to 4.5 minutes

“They cut our breach risk in half within 3 months. Our team is more confident, and our systems are better protected.”

Managing Partner