Ensuring your firm is cyber secure is an ongoing commitment

PriceWaterhouseCooper, among others, has recently highlighted the rise in cyber security incidents. They have given a number of reasons why this could be, including:

• Organised crime groups likely see this as an opportunity to target organisations in desperate situations
• Opportunistic reconnaissance identifying vulnerabilities, possibly related to rapidly stood up remote working practices

As law firms handle both large amounts of personal data and client monies, they are an attractive target for cyber criminals. There is evidence to suggest cyber-attacks against law firms are rising with 73 of UK top 100 targeted.

In fact, the WHO reports “a dramatic increase in the number of cyber-attacks directed at its staff, and email scams targeting the public at large.”

---

The top 5 questions to ask yourself about the dangers of cyber crime

With many staff still unable to come into the office, here are 5 questions to help you consider where your business is now in terms of ongoing cyber security:

1. How up to date are your current cyber security policies?
2. Do these policies take increased home working into account?
3. Do you know if the home network of your employees is secure?
4. Are there any new or emerging cyber threats to be aware of?
5. Do you have the expertise in-house to deal with cyber security or do you need to outsource to experts?

Cyber crime exploits uncertainty and lack of knowledge

The best way to be prepared is to be aware of the risks and plan accordingly. For example, you could choose to put together a strategy based on the suggestions listed below:

• Plan as if you were going to be attacked. Cyber criminals are looking for easy or lucrative targets, regardless of size or turnover
• Look at your firm’s password creation policy. You’d be surprised how many people still use names of children and their date of birth as a password. Insist your passwords follow a particular structure, dictating length, use of capital letters, numbers and special characters
• Ensure you have a robust system in place that backs up your data frequently
• Back up your data in different locations, both on and offline, to make you less vulnerable to a ransomware attack
• Ensure the safety of personal information of staff and customers is protected
• Invest in staff training. Make staff aware of different types of cyber attacks, including phishing, and know the procedure to report a suspected attack
• Get expert advice. It’s worth outsourcing to experts if you don’t have your own cyber security staff

For more information, the National Cyber Security Centre have put together some resources to help companies protect themselves from cyber-crime. Click here to view.

---

How can we help?

OneSearch Direct can help prevent identity theft through our Lawyer Checker products. These reports provide peace of mind that you are sending client monies to the intended parties. All searches are conducted in real time and offer an enhancement to your due diligence and cyber risk management.

Lawyer Checker Account Entity Screen

Lawyer Checker is a simple but effective online service that allows you to check the vendor conveyancer that you are sending money to. When account and firm details are submitted, Lawyer Checker will identify if there is a track record of previous use associated with that account. 

Lawyer Checker Consumer Bank Account Checker

When you send or receive client funds, can you be sure you know whose account it is? Whether sending or receiving client monies, Consumer Bank Account Checker validates the source or destination of funds.

---

It’s almost impossible to assess the damage a cyber attack could do to your firm, so being pro-active is vital.

---

Is cyber crime getting worse? Read our Industry Interview with Tom Lyes from Lawyer Checker here.

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s webinar on Ground Rents and Estate Rent Charges, and thank you to our hosts Robert Kelly and Steve Smith at Stewart Title. If you missed this session and/or would like to obtain the recording to view at your own convenience, please click here.

The feedback was very positive, and we look forward to our next webinar on Tuesday 20th October at 11am. Would you like to join us? Register your place here.

---

Planning risks in residential conveyancing
11am Tuesday 20th October

Nobody wants to buy a property only to find soon afterwards that there is going to be a development or change in infrastructure which could severely affect the use and enjoyment of the property as well as its value.

Solicitors have always carried out local authority, CON29, searches – but these provide very little information outside of the subject property.

This session provides conveyancers with the latest planning policies and legislation and planning changes and their potential impact on properties. It will also demonstrate how to provide clients with information and advice that will assist in their understanding of planning issues.

• Understanding planning issues in residential/commercial transactions.
• Planning policy and legislation
• Planning information available – applications, land use designations
• How Landmark planning reports can provide practical information to help you and your clients

Click here to register for this webinar

We’re delighted to report that we have reached our highest peak quarter since the abolishment of HIPs in 2010. In September 2020, we processed 93% more regulated local authority searches and an astonishing 127% more drainage & water reports than in September 2019.

Celebrating another milestone, we also recently surpassed 5 million local, drainage & water, and environmental searches.

Following the re-opening of the housing market, transaction volumes have come back at an exponential pace. To absorb this capacity and support organic company growth, we have invested in extra staff and IT infrastructure.

Lidia Quinlan, Head of Sales, OneSearch Direct, comments: 

“Whilst we’re extremely grateful for these high volumes, we’re being pragmatic and don’t anticipate this to be the “new normal”. Presently, many of our clients are overwhelmed with a backlog of casework, compounded with logjams at various stages from lending to completion. It’s a frustrating time for many, not least anxious homebuyers and sellers.

“There’s a real focus in our industry at the moment around obtaining property data at an earlier stage of the property transaction. This is in line with our ethos and we offer two products specifically to support this: OneSearch Express, an insurance policy (with cover of £1m for residential, £2m for commercial) supplemented by a real-time data report containing over 80 data points on a selected property, typically returned in just 2-5 working days. Available in all council areas, Express provides a vital alternative to local searches during these difficult times as it is lender friendly and allows conveyancers to transact quickly.

“We also offer OneSearch Duo: a Regulated Local Authority search which is split into two parts, returning the majority of CON29 enquiries within 24 hours. Our data methodology means conveyancers can investigate potential red flags from the outset, not after an already potentially long wait due to search delays, which can put transactions at further risk of collapse. If you are a time-stretched conveyancer currently drowning in work or suffering from search delays, I strongly recommend Express or Duo. These reports allow you to complete with more confidence, and tie matters up quickly to get on with your next case.”

What is the OneSearch Data Methodology?
OneSearch are able to populate the Express and Duo Part A data reports due to a Triple Quality Checked Data Methodology. An in-house data team captures local enquiries data at every stage, from initial proposals, public consultations, and committee hearings, to advertisement. By the time any action is authorised, OneSearch has a comprehensive backstory in their unrivalled database. And it truly is unrivalled – OneSearch Direct are the only company to hold a national database of most of the available local authority data on every property in England and Wales. No other company has this unique dataset.

Liz Jarvis, Managing Director, OneSearch Direct, comments: 

“The reality is that Covid annihilated the housing market during lockdown. When restrictions finally eased, many sectors within our industry struggled – and they are still struggling – to recover. At OneSearch, we’re fortunate to be in a position to weather this storm, due to the robustbusiness contingency plan we have in place. Not only have all staff remained working from the safety of their homes, they are doing so at full capacity. Productivity is at an all-time high and we’ve even bolstered teams with additional staff to deliver the high standard of service our clients have come to expect. 

“Since joining the Landmark Information Group, we now have access to market intelligence on a much wider context in the property transaction cycle. This has been instrumental in scaling up to meet the capacity we’ve come to experience, and I’m proud to say we’ve absorbed this extra volume due to our highly efficient teams. The leadership within each department has been testament to our success, and our customer satisfaction scores further reflect this.”

Liz Jarvis joins other experts from government and industry on Tuesday 6th October to discuss proposed reforms to the planning system across England. The Planning for the Future virtual event will examine the impact of the proposed changes and discuss potential opportunities and risks to the industry. Click here to register for this free event.

---

To find out more about OneSearch Express or OneSearch Duo, call our Service Introduction Team on 01782 433 270 or email intro@onesearchdirect.co.uk. You can request sample reports here.

Thank you to everyone who attended Tuesday’s webinar on ways to use Title Insurance to get a residential transaction moving, and thank you to our hosts Robert Kelly and Steve Smith at Stewart Title. If you missed this session and/or would like to obtain the recording to view at your own convenience, please click here.

The feedback was very positive, and we look forward to the next webinar ONE WEEK TODAY at 11am. Would you like to join us? Register your place here.

---

“Unfair and Dangerous”
Thursday 8th October at 11am
A series of cases has shown how Ground Rents and Estate Rent Charges can cause massive problems for buyers and lenders and their lawyers. In collaboration with our host Robert Kelly at Stewart Title, we will look at:

• Why Ground Rents have become a problem
• Why the Housing Act 1988 can make your long lease an assured tenancy
• Problems arising from Estate Rent Charges
• Lender’s attitude
• Possible Statutory Solutions

---

Click here to register your place!

---

 

CLICK HERE to submit your prize draw entry form, which counts for a total of ONE entry. You can also increase your chances of winning by:

• Following our LinkedIn page and “liking” any of our “Stewart Title” promotional posts to record your entries.
• Following our Facebook page and “liking” any of our “Stewart Title” promotional posts to record your entries.
• Liking or retweeting our “Stewart Title” promotional Twitter posts.

Full terms and conditions can be found here.

Win a £100 Amazon Gift Card

We are delighted to present the latest in our Spotlight series with a very special member of the OneSearch family. Carolyn Galbraith belongs to our Data Team and has been with the company for an incredible 25 YEARS. Carolyn plays an instrumental part in our Data Methodology and we would like to recognise our utmost appreciation for everything she has done for the company.

Take it away Carolyn…

---

Have you always worked in Data, or have you been in different departments?

I joined the company, which was originally Stirrat Park Hogg, on 26^th September 1995 just fresh out of college at the tender age of 19! I was a Roadie and Notices/Orders Co-ordinator, which took me to many Scottish Council Offices to collect Water, Drainage and Notice and Orders information. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and kept me on my toes as I dealt with Solicitors and Council’s on a daily basis, and made sure I obtained the relevant information required to produce a Property Enquiry Certificate.

I then moved to the Data team and now collate specific legislation from Council areas in England and Wales. It is a very busy department and all of my team members are a pleasure to work with. There have been a great many nights out and office parties that I will always fondly remember! 

Do you feel you get a good work/life balance with OneSearch?

I have been working from home for over a year and it has made an extremely positive impact on my family life and well-being. It has allowed me to get a puppy, which has cheered me up over the last 6 months.

---

JUST FOR FUN

When not in the office you can find me

1. At the Park
2. Watching Netflix
3. The Gym (pre-covid)

My last meal on earth would be

• Baked Potato with Marks and Spencer’s Cheese Coleslaw
• Steak (medium rare) with Garlic Mushrooms and Mashed Potato
• My mum’s Pavlova

Three things I would struggle to live without

• Chocolate
• Phone
• Chocolate (Oh I already said that!)

---

Thank you Carolyn, we couldn’t do it without you! 

To see the rest of our Spotlight Series, click here.

We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming webinar in association with Stewart Title, where we will discuss ways to use Title Insurance to get a residential transaction moving:

---

“Does it have to be this difficult?”
Tuesday 29th September at 11am
In this talk with Robert Kelly of Stewart Title, we will look at a number of issues that can hold up house buying and propose some solutions for them, including:

• Japanese Knotweed
• Search Delays
• Restrictive Covenants
• Listed Buildings

Click here to register for this webinar

CLICK HERE to submit your prize draw entry form, which counts for a total of ONE entry. You can also increase your chances of winning by:

• Registering for our next webinar with Stewart Title: “Unfair and Dangerous” How Ground Rents and Estate Rent Charges can make your home disappear on 11am Thursday 8th October: click here to sign up.
• Following our LinkedIn page and “liking” any of our “Stewart Title” promotional posts to record your entries.
• Following our Facebook page and “liking” any of our “Stewart Title” promotional posts to record your entries.
• Liking or retweeting our “Stewart Title” promotional Twitter posts.

Full terms and conditions can be found here.

Win a £100 Amazon Gift Card

With increasing delays at local authorities, it’s no surprise there’s been a spike in usage of Quick Quote, our integrated quote calculator for all Stewart Title indemnity policies. Available on our online portal, Quick Quote could not be easier to use. All you have to do is fill in a few short details, select your policy (you can also have multiple policies in one quote) and select “Get Quote” – your results are returned immediately on the same page, and you also have the option to print your results.

Quick Quote offers the complete and extensive range of Stewart Title indemnity policies, including:

• Lack of Building Regulation Consent (Inc. FENSA)
• No Local Search (Lender only)
• Freehold Restrictive Covenant(s)
• Chancel Repair (No Search)
• (Fully assignable) FENSA and other installation certificates only

We can also arrange bespoke policies. Get in touch if this is something you require.

Download our free Indemnities guide

If you would like more information, please email intro@onesearchdirect.co.uk or call 01782 433270 and we will be happy to assist.