30% of office workers have tried to gain unauthorised access to a colleague’s device

IT.ie, a leading Irish IT managed services company, today announces new survey results which reveal the prevalence of insider-threats within Irish businesses with 30% of office workers admitting that they have tried to gain access to a colleague’s device without their permission in the last 12 months.

The research also found that 35% of employees have actively sought out private information about a colleague, client, or customer such as their age, salary, CV or home address, from a work computer system.

The research of 1,000 office workers based in Ireland was carried out by Censuswide on behalf of IT.ie and SonicWall, a global leader in cybersecurity innovation. It forms part of IT.ie and SonicWall’s ‘Cyberpulse Ireland 2025’ report, which explores the cyberthreat landscape in Ireland, according to the sentiment and behaviours of employees.

Alongside the above high-risk behaviours, the survey also showed that a cohort of office workers may see themselves as internet sleuths, possibly influenced by viral online videos featuring content creators who try to outsmart online scammers. Almost two-in-five (38%) have engaged with a scammer – intentionally or unintentionally at work in the last 12 months, while one in four have sent an angry response to someone who they presumed to be a scammer. Furthermore, 17% say they have either duped, or attempted to dupe, an online scammer.

Concerningly, 17% have engaged with a scammer to try to convince them not to target the business – an approach that still carries significant risk.

Eamon Gallagher, Founder and Managing Director, IT.ie, said: “The report highlights some troubling behaviours among office workers that has the potential to expose businesses to considerable risk. While some employees, particularly from the younger cohort, attempt to challenge, outsmart, or reason with scammers, cybercriminals will often capitalise on their efforts, using manipulation tactics that leave the organisation more vulnerable to compromise.

“This behaviour is similar to that of those who attempt to gain access to their colleague’s device or are seeking out their personal information. While their actions may not always stem from malicious intent, it does represent a breakdown in boundaries and data responsibility.

“While these findings may raise concerns, they ultimately represent a valuable opportunity for businesses. By investing in employee training and onboarding, strengthening internal policies, implementing more robust access controls, and creating better cybersecurity awareness, organisations can address these vulnerabilities head-on. At the end of the day, a company’s cybersecurity is only as strong as its least prepared employee.”

Stuart Taylor, Senior Director of Regional Sales for Northern Europe, SonicWall said“These findings are a stark reminder that the greatest risks often come from within the organisation, not intentionally, but through curiosity, complacency, or even misplaced confidence.

“Every click and every login matters. That’s why businesses need layered security that combines zero-trust principles, strong access controls, and continuous user education. Technology alone isn’t enough; it has to work hand-in-hand with clear policies and a culture of accountability. When employees understand the ‘why’ behind security and organisations enforce the ‘how’ through smart solutions, you close the gaps that attackers are so quick to exploit.”

Client Relationship Management (CRM) for Legal Professionals

In a profession built on trust and reputation, maintaining strong client relationships is essential for long-term success. That’s where Client Relationship Management (CRM) tools come in. Law firms are increasingly using CRM software to organize communications, track interactions, personalize outreach, and improve service delivery. These systems help firms better understand their clients’ needs and respond more efficiently, whether managing one case or a hundred. In today’s fast-moving legal landscape, relying on memory or spreadsheets isn’t enough. CRM tools provide structure and visibility, making it easier for attorneys and support staff to deliver consistent, high-quality client experiences.

What a CRM Actually Does for Law Firms

At its core, a CRM is a centralized platform that stores and organizes client data: contacts, past communication, billing details, case history, preferences, and more. This gives everyone on the team a shared understanding of a client’s journey. For law firms, this means smoother hand-offs between partners and associates, more timely follow-ups, and better visibility into client engagement. Many CRMs also automate tasks like appointment reminders or client check-ins, freeing up time for actual legal work. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a multi-office firm, a CRM can help streamline your workflow and keep relationships strong.

Improving Client Communication and Responsiveness

Clients today expect quick, professional communication. CRM systems help firms track calls, emails, and meetings, so nothing falls through the cracks. They also make it easier to respond promptly, especially when multiple attorneys or departments are involved. Some CRMs offer integrated email tools or templates to make routine responses faster. Others link with calendars, enabling reminders for follow-ups or court dates. By making communication more organized and consistent, law firms can improve client satisfaction and reduce the risk of misunderstandings. A well-used CRM doesn’t just track relationships. It strengthens them through reliable, proactive contact.

Protecting Client Data in a Digital World

Because CRMs store sensitive client information, security is a top priority. Many law firms now use platforms with built-in encryption, user permissions, and secure cloud storage. In addition to these features, some firms also rely on threat intelligence to monitor potential cyber risks that could expose confidential records or contact histories. Threat intelligence tools help spot suspicious behavior, such as unauthorized access attempts or phishing schemes targeting staff credentials. This kind of digital protection is especially important in legal work, where even a small data breach could damage a firm’s reputation or result in regulatory consequences.

Better Insights for Smarter Business Development

CRM tools can do more than just manage relationships. They can help grow them. Many platforms offer analytics dashboards that track client engagement, referral sources, and communication patterns. This allows firms to identify top clients, spot trends, and understand where to focus their marketing or networking efforts. A CRM can show which types of clients tend to return, what practice areas generate the most interest, and how often follow-ups turn into new matters. With this data in hand, legal professionals can make more informed decisions about where to invest time and resources to strengthen their business.

Making CRM Part of Your Firm’s Culture

For a CRM system to be effective, it needs to be used consistently. That means training team members, setting clear usage expectations, and integrating the platform into daily routines. When everyone logs interactions and updates client records, the system becomes a true source of insight and support. It’s also important to choose a CRM that matches your firm’s size, practice areas, and workflow. From intake to follow-up, the goal is to build a tool that helps, not hinders, your team’s ability to serve clients. Done right, CRM becomes more than software. It becomes a culture of connection.

Fenergo and Deloitte join forces to deliver greater efficiency through client lifecycle management automation

Fenergo, the leading provider of digital solutions for Know Your Customer (KYC), Transaction Monitoring (TM) and Client Lifecycle Management (CLM), and Deloitte Ireland, have announced an agreement to deliver Fenergo’s AI-powered CLM solutions to financial institutions across EMEA.

The alliance combines Fenergo’s best-in-class technology with Deloitte’s technology-enabled business transformation expertise to create a Centre of Excellence for CLM

The alliance responds to increasing demand for optimised digital client onboarding and the need to drive efficiency across KYC and AML operations. Fenergo’s research has found that slow and inefficient onboarding processes have caused nearly half (48%) of global financial institutions to lose clients. To address this challenge, Fenergo and Deloitte Ireland will deploy AI-powered Software as a Service (SaaS) CLM, which will digitalise client onboarding and lifecycle management journeys, and in turn accelerate the time it takes to generate revenue while enabling firms to better identify and mitigate risk.

“We’re excited to collaborate with Deloitte Ireland to deliver our AI-powered CLM solutions to financial institutions and corporates across EMEA,” said Matt Edwards, Global VP of Partnerships and Alliances, Fenergo. “With the unrelenting evolution of global regulation and the need for firms to simultaneously drive growth, the demand for our CLM solutions has risen exponentially and expanded beyond financial services. With the addition of AI, the transformative power of CLM is even more accessible and rapid. Our alliance agreement with Deloitte will enable us to accelerate implementation while helping firms build a more sustainable and compliant future, while delivering a step change in customer experience.”

“Transforming organisations by using AI is something we’re committed to in Deloitte. Our collaboration with Fenergo and the launch of our Centre of Excellence illustrates our focus on providing innovative technology solutions to our clients that drive competitiveness and efficiency,” said Graham Healy, Consulting Partner, Deloitte Ireland. “We believe our mutual clients will also benefit from our broader expertise across financial advisory, business change and target operating model services.”

Financial institutions will also benefit from Fenergo’s unrivalled Perpetual KYC capabilities which streamline and automate periodic KYC review cycles by continuously monitoring client profiles for risk using real-time data. Firms can also leverage Fenergo to more effectively manage ESG requirements in response to growing demand for sustainable and socially responsible investing.