Penetration Testing for Law Firms: Identify the Security Gaps Putting Client Data at Risk

How long testing takes depends largely on what you’re looking to understand. If the goal is to identify what’s exposed and whether an attacker could gain access, testing typically takes 5 to 15 days.

If you’re looking to assess multiple environments or understand how far an attacker could move once inside, plan for 20 to 45 days.

Once we understand your environment, the risks you’re concerned about, and what’s driving the engagement, we’ll recommend a scope and timeline that reflects your priorities.

If you’re working toward an audit date, a renewal or a go-live, tell us during scoping so the timeline fits it.

Data is stored in Canada, the US or Australia, the client’s choice.

Because the team that builds and manages your environment shouldn’t be the one grading it: an independent, CREST-accredited firm like Packetlabs tests it manually the way a real attacker would, with no stake in the result, which is exactly what auditors, insurers and your board expect.

Law firms should consider testing their internal and external networks, Active Directory, Microsoft 365, cloud infrastructure, remote access systems, client portals, and document-sharing applications. The appropriate scope depends on the firm's IT environment, security priorities, and the systems that store or provide access to confidential client information.

Annual penetration testing is a common starting point, with additional assessments recommended after significant infrastructure changes, cloud migrations, new application deployments, or security incidents. Firms may also need testing at specific intervals to meet client security or cyber insurance requirements.

Automated vulnerability scans can identify known security issues, but they may miss complex attack paths, privilege escalation opportunities, and weaknesses involving multiple systems. Human-led penetration testing goes further by assessing whether vulnerabilities can be exploited and how an attacker could move through the firm's environment.

Yes. Independent penetration testing can provide evidence of security assessments, help demonstrate due diligence, and support remediation efforts. While specific requirements vary by client and insurer, detailed testing reports can help law firms respond to security questionnaires and applicable insurance requests.

Penetration testing is planned around an agreed scope, testing windows, and rules of engagement to minimize operational disruption. Packetlabs works with your team to identify sensitive systems and coordinate testing activities while managing potential risks to business operations.

Packetlabs provides a detailed report outlining identified vulnerabilities, their severity, potential business impact, and recommended remediation steps, supported by technical evidence. Every engagement also includes an executive walkthrough at no additional cost to help leadership understand the findings and prioritize security improvements.

Yes. Packetlabs includes retesting within six months of the original engagement at no additional cost, allowing your team to validate remediation efforts and confirm whether identified vulnerabilities have been addressed.

A Packetlabs tester runs every test. AI supports specific tasks such as reconnaissance and triage, and every output is validated before it reaches your report. Client data is never used to train any model, and AI use is disclosed in every Statement of Work.