Law Society of BC’s Cloud Computing Checklist

♫ I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions I recall.
I really don’t know clouds at all…♫

Lyrics, music and recorded by Joni Mitchell.

The Law Society of British Columbia has now released their Cloud Computing Checklist on the Practice Support and Resources section of their website. This checklist follows on the issuance of their Cloud Computing Report in 2012.

Cloud computing offers many benefits to lawyers including: accessing a vast array of new software services and applications, off-loading hardware and software maintenance and upkeep to others, accessing your data from virtually anywhere you can obtain an internet connection and last but certainly not least, reducing the need for large capital outlays when setting up in practice.

However, since using the cloud means, in most cases, placing yours and your client’s data in the hands of third parties, it raises issues of security and privacy, regulatory requirements, risk management and others.

This Checklist is intended to be a comprehensive review of the issues and matters to be considered from a ‘due diligence’ perspective before moving any data into the cloud. Since the Cloud is still relatively new to lawyers and law practices, it has been drawn on a fairly inclusive basis. It is expected that the range of issues will narrow as lawyers, regulators and others become adjusted to the cloud.

It is hoped that this Checklist will allow lawyers to look at cloud services from all sides now, clear away any illusions and help lawyers get to know the cloud better.