One of the most important things attorneys must do is keep their client’s information safe. They also must be able to share and access information in a timely, convenient fashion—which is why using Dropbox for lawyers has become a very common practice.

According to the American Bar Association, 58% of attorneys use cloud-based technology to share and access files. Dropbox ranks among the most popular options. [1]

But there’s an inherent risk to using apps like Dropbox. It wasn’t designed specifically for attorneys, and Dropbox has dealt with a number of concerning security issues in recent years.

Here’s why lawyers use Dropbox in the first place, and how you’d be better served using a more secure, attorney-specific solution instead.

secure file storing for attorneys

Why Lawyers Use Dropbox

Dropbox, to its credit, is a pretty effective internet filing and sharing tool. But it’s far from perfect, and some of the downsides may pose a threat to your personal practice or company.

Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks attorneys stand to gain by using the application.

Benefits

  • Easy file sharing. Dropbox allows you to store and share files easily, all in one location. It’s cloud-based, so you can open files from your phone or computer.
  • Name recognition. Most people know what Dropbox is and many already have an account, which can make sharing files easier.
  • They offer both free and paid options. You can try before you buy, and if you run a small law firm, the pricing is pretty affordable.
  • Accessible offline. Paid versions of the application are downloadable and available offline, making it easy to work on-the-go or in no-WiFi locations.

Downsides

  • Storage and bandwidth limits. Dropbox only offers 2.5gb of free storage space per user before you have to pay. This isn’t much, especially if you’re storing anything besides written documents (audio, video, etc.).
  • Can be difficult to connect with multiple people. If you’re connecting two separate entities, such as medical providers and attorneys, getting everyone setup on the platform and shared on the correct files and folders can be time-consuming and confusing.
  • Steep organizational learning curve. If you run a large team, it could take weeks or even months to get your entire team on board with where files are located, how to share a file, standard practices on the application, etc.
  • Their business pricing model can get costly. Their premier option can cost as much as $20/employee, so if you run a large office, your monthly bill for file storage could be high.
  • Lack of security. Dropbox offers some security measures such as 256-bit encryption, but has had its fair share of security issues. (See below.)

If you’re an attorney, that last downside is worth diving deeper into. While Dropbox can be a convenient tool, but can also expose you to risks you don’t want to take.

dropbox for personal injury patient lawyers

The #1 Risk of Using Dropbox For Lawyers

The #1 risk of using Dropbox for lawyers is it’s lack of security. 

You should know that Dropbox wasn’t developed for lawyers. In fact, the founder of Dropbox initially built it as a cloud-based solution to access schoolwork because he kept forgetting his flash drive at home. [2]

While the platform has grown and adapted to be more of a universal workplace tool, it simply wasn’t intended to safely store attorney client records that contain highly valuable information. 

Dropbox Security Issues

Since being founded in 2007, Dropbox has also had several problems with hackers and bugs in their system. Just consider that:

  • In 2019, Dropbox shelled out over $1 million to their bug bounty program to users that caught bugs they missed within their system. [3]
  • In 2017, Dropbox accidentally restored a year’s worth of already (supposedly) deleted files and folders in user’s accounts—meaning the files were likely never actually removed in the first place. [4]
  • In 2012, a hacker gained access to and sold 68.6 million user account names and passwords. [5] (The problem wasn’t fully addressed until 2016, either.)

As an attorney, these sorts of statistics pose serious security threats.

If, for example, your company’s account was compromised in the 2012 through 2016 hacking, your client’s data could’ve been a part of these statistics. (With about 500 million users on the platform, about 1 in every 7 user’s data was breached. [6])

Dropbox clearly has some work to do. And in the meantime, it might behoove you or your law firm to look into a secure, cloud-based solution that’s calibrated more towards the work you do.

Secure Record Sharing for Attorneys

ShareScape is a secure cloud-based solution that connects medical providers with attorneys. 

Unlike Dropbox, ShareScape provides you with an easy-to-use interface all in one spot—one that multiple users can log onto easily and securely.

Attorneys can easily access and share medical records for personal injury patients without risking hackers, disorganization, or having to pay more if you decide to grow your practice.

And the best part is: it’s free for lawyers!  Medical providers cover the cost and you’re able to access your files all in one easy and secure location. 

(All we ask is that you make updates to the cases on a regular basis through the portal. It makes life easier for all parties involved!)

Request a demo below so you can see how ShareScape can serve your business.