Reducing risk, reinforcing trust: Modern security in the cloud

Client expectations around security have changed, a shift that’s both rapid and ongoing. Today, firms are asked not only to protect sensitive information but to demonstrate how they do so, often under increasing scrutiny from clients, insurers, and regulators alike. In this environment, security cannot be relegated to a mere background IT concern; it’s a visible, business‑critical capability.

For many firms, this shift is a catalyst for migrating from on‑premises infrastructure to the cloud. According to the ILTA 2025 Technology Survey, 59 percent of midsize firms cited improved accessibility as a primary driver for cloud adoption — yet many reported that security capabilities quickly became an equally important benefit once the transition was complete.

To illustrate a few security benefits that making the move to a cloud-based solution like the iManage Cloud can provide for those conscious of the burdens that today’s security demands can place, we’ve captured several key benefits below. 

Meeting evolving client requirements  

Clients increasingly expect firms to meet stringent security standards, provide detailed responses to security questionnaires, and maintain compliance certifications that align with global best practices. For on‑premises environments, meeting these expectations often requires significant internal investment, specialized expertise, and continuous effort to keep pace with emerging threats and evolving regulations.

Cloud infrastructure changes that equation. Rather than relying solely on internal resources, firms gain access to a security model designed, operated, and continuously refined by a provider whose core responsibility is protecting the platform. 

What cloud security infrastructure provides 

Moving to the iManage Cloud, for example, delivers a security posture that would not only be difficult to replicate on premises, but also costly. Key advantages include: 

• Zero-trust architecture: The iManage Cloud is built around zero-trust principles, with security embedded at every layer. Encryption, identity‑based access controls, and continuous threat detection are part of its foundation, not simply bolt‑on features. Implementing and maintaining this level of security internally would require substantial investment and ongoing expertise.
• Maintained compliance certifications: The iManage security team maintains compliance with standards such as ISO and SOC 2 as part of the service. This reduces the audit preparation burden on internal IT teams and provides confidence that controls are continuously validated rather than addressed only during annual review cycles.
• Stronger client responses: A demonstrable, independently validated security posture strengthens responses to client RFPs and security questionnaires. For some firms or teams, it may also contribute to more favorable discussions with insurers, helping to mitigate rising cyber insurance costs.
• Proven reliability: Service-level agreements and recognized certifications provide assurance not only to internal stakeholders, but to clients who increasingly view technology resilience as a prerequisite for engagement.
• A practical consideration for IT leadership: When security incidents occur — or when audits uncover gaps — responsibility often falls squarely on IT leadership. In an on‑premises model, that accountability is paired with full ownership of the infrastructure itself. 

A new, superior way of securing data

Cloud infrastructure introduces a different operating model: one built on partnership. By moving to the iManage Cloud, firms align with a vendor whose core mandate includes maintaining security controls, monitoring for threats, and sustaining compliance certifications. This shared‑responsibility approach doesn’t remove accountability, but it does ensure that IT leaders are supported by a dedicated security organization focused exclusively on protecting the platform.

The result is not simply reduced risk, but greater confidence, internally and externally alike, that the firm’s information assets are protected by a security posture designed for today’s threat landscape.

Continuing the conversation 

Ready to learn more about how your firm can bolster its security posture by making a smooth, low‑risk transition to the cloud? Reach out to our team or explore peer success stories to see how other firms have benefited from the move.