Vermont Bar Journal, Vol. 40, No. 2 Vermont Bar Journal, Summer 2019 | Page 34
Insecurity
made a world of difference!) Such tools are
often cloud-based software applications
that allow users to conveniently store and
manage all of their passwords. The data is
encrypted and can only be accessed once
a master password has been entered. Yes,
users will still need to remember a long
and difficult to guess master password; but
having to remember one is going to be far
easier than trying to remember 250. And
again, no one should ever write down their
master password. Everyone really must
commit the master password to memory or
find a way to store it in some other secure
manner.
One side note here because lawyers are
sometimes hesitant to place passwords in
the cloud. Try to avoid allowing such a con-
cern to become an excuse for not making
any changes at all. As I see it, those of us
who use password managers are far more
secure than those who simply write every-
thing down on a piece of paper or on sticky
notes that are always close at hand. Further,
given the robust encryption in use, these
applications are also going to also be more
secure than keeping a list of passwords in
an Excel or Word file. But here’s the real
value. The use of a password manager pro-
vides robust security when compared to
relying on easily remembered weak pass-
words, using the same password on mul-
tiple devices or websites, allowing brows-
ers to remember passwords, not changing
passwords and re-using old passwords, all
of which is what so many do by default.
____________________
ALPS Risk Manager Mark Bassingth-
waighte, Esq. has conducted over 1,000 law
firm risk management assessment visits, pre-
sented numerous continuing legal education
seminars throughout the United States, and
written extensively on risk management and
technology. Check out Mark’s recent semi-
nars to assist you with your solo practice by
visiting our on-demand CLE library at alps.
inreachce.com. Mark can be contacted at:
[email protected].
Disclaimer: ALPS presents this publication
or document as general information only.
While ALPS strives to provide accurate infor-
mation, ALPS expressly disclaims any guar-
antee or assurance that this publication or
document is complete or accurate. There-
fore, in providing this publication or docu-
ment, ALPS expressly disclaims any warranty
of any kind, whether express or implied, in-
cluding, but not limited to, the implied war-
ranties of merchantability, fitness for a par-
ticular purpose, or non-infringement.
Further, by making this publication or
document available, ALPS is not rendering
legal or other professional advice or servic-
es and this publication or document should
not be relied upon as a substitute for such
legal or other professional advice or servic-
es. ALPS warns that this publication or docu-
ment should not be used or relied upon as a
basis for any decision or action that may af-
fect your professional practice, business or
personal affairs. Instead, ALPS highly recom-
mends that you consult an attorney or oth-
er professional before making any decisions
regarding the subject matter of this publi-
cation or document. ALPS Corporation and
its subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities
shall not be responsible for any loss or dam-
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lies upon the publication or document pre-
sented herein.
SURVEY SAYS?!
We’ve received 381 survey responses for our broad membership demographic survey! Thank
you to all of you who have participated so far. If you haven’t, please do so, it’s not too late.
What do we know so far? Well, 26% of respondents earn between $91,000-$130,000 per year,
which is an improvement over our last survey! We also learned that CLE’s and Government Rela-
tions are two of the most important services that the VBA can provide for you (followed by on-
line research and networking). Based on the responses, we are already working on training ses-
sions for Casemaker Beta and other improvements suggested by you, our members.
So keep the responses coming, please and please also take the time to answer our gender
bias exploration survey coming to your inboxes soon. Thank you for helping us serve you better!
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THE VERMONT BAR JOURNAL • SUMMER 2019
www.vtbar.org