The growth and sophistication of 2026 cyber threats are not theoretical. With the latest findings, the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) report identified $16.6 billion in reported losses, reflecting a 33% increase over the previous year. Illinois consistently ranks among the top states for financial losses tied to internet crime. For Illinois lawyers, that data point matters. Law firms manage client funds, sensitive communications, confidential business information, and high-value transactions; all of these factors make them attractive targets.

Law firm multi-factor authentication (MFA) has become one of the most effective defenses against cybercrime, a threat that continues to evolve and increasingly targets Illinois law firms. The latest FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2024 Report recorded $13.7 billion in cyber-enabled fraud losses nationwide, much of it stemming from compromised credentials and business email compromise (BEC) incidents. These schemes often begin with something as simple as a stolen password, giving attackers access to sensitive data and financial systems.

Business Email Compromise Prevention is one of Illinois law firms' most urgent cybersecurity priorities in 2025. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), business email compromise (BEC) accounted for over $2.77 billion in reported losses last year across more than 21,000 complaints. These attacks often go undetected until client funds are stolen, trust accounts are drained, or sensitive data is exposed.