#14: More than a cog ?????

TECH

A Man’s Best Servant - I grew up hearing the phrase “A man’s best servant is himself”. While working in corporate settings, that may not entirely be the case. In fact, we are expected to delegate to colleagues, teams, and, at times, vendors who are better positioned to provide certain services. However, it has been increasingly concerning the volume of breaches and security incidents which have happened due to lapses on the part of vendors. While reading IT Brew’s newsletter referencing Vectra AI’s report on how vendors led to severe security incidents, the first thing that came to mind is the quote I referenced earlier. Well, is it applicable here? Certainly! More companies should be asking, “What actions can we take to reduce the possibility of third-party vendors causing security incidents?”?

These are five ways companies can reduce exposure to security incidents when engaging vendors:

1. Establish a Robust Vendor Risk Assessment Protocol Conduct a thorough risk assessment for each vendor before bringing them on board. Evaluate their security and compliance measures, as well as their own vendor management practices. Regularly re-assess them to stay ahead of evolving risks, ensuring they continue to align with your company’s standards.
2. Set Defined Access Controls and Limitations Grant vendors only the access they need and nothing more. By implementing role-based access and regularly reviewing permissions, you minimise the number of potential entry points for security incidents. Controlled access is one of the simplest ways to protect critical systems and data.
3. Ensure Comprehensive Contractual Protections and Insurance Coverage Vendor contracts should outline responsibilities around data handling, security, and incident response, holding vendors accountable for their role in protecting shared information. Additionally, require vendors to carry appropriate insurance for cybersecurity and data breaches that may impact your organisation, adding a layer of financial protection in case of a breach. Contracts should also mandate timely incident reporting and set clear expectations for recovery measures.
4. Monitor and Audit Vendor Compliance Regularly Establish a system for ongoing compliance checks. This can include self-assessments by vendors or third-party audits to verify adherence to your security and operational standards. This kind of monitoring ensures that vendor practices remain aligned with your risk tolerance and security requirements.
5. Implement Incident and Response Protocols with Vendors Predefine incident response protocols with each vendor. Both sides should know exactly what to do, whom to notify, and how to collaborate on recovery efforts if a breach occurs. Having aligned response protocols streamlines coordination and limits the impact of any security incident.

These steps are straightforward but cannot be underestimated. Proactively managing vendor relationships can reduce exposure and gain more control over the third-party risks that come with growth and delegation. Security incidents will always be a concern, but these measures will help companies reduce the risk of incidents which may lead to significant fines and punishments, destroying hard earned goodwill. While we may have to delegate every now and again; smarter decisions in vendor management has to be a company’s responsibility.

LAW?

Training Law Students and Junior Lawyers with AI - Most knowledge work including the legal profession is undergoing a significant transformation in the current proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and services. Routine tasks traditionally handled by junior lawyers and students can now be carried out by AI tools, requiring a way to rethink and reevaluate training methodologies to ensure the development of competent legal professionals. From a quick research, these are the first things that come to mind:

1. Implement Structured, AI-Integrated Training Programs - With AI managing tasks like document review and legal research, firms should develop structured training programs that incorporate AI tools. Introducing junior lawyers to these technologies early on will ensure they can fact check and improve on outputs generated and quality of sources.?
2. Emphasise Continuous Professional Development - The speed at which AI technologies are developing requires junior lawyers to engage in continuous personalised forms of education. Firms should offer continuous professional development opportunities focusing on the latest AI advancements and their legal applications. This will guarantee a competitive edge by making sure that lawyers can integrate new tools into their practice.
3. Foster Human-AI Collaboration Skills - AI serves as an augmentative tool rather than a replacement for human expertise. Training should emphasise the collaborative potential between lawyers and AI, teaching juniors to utilise AI for data analysis and routine tasks while applying human judgement to complex legal issues.?
4. Redefine Mentorship and Supervision Models - As AI reduces the burden of routine tasks, senior lawyers can dedicate more time to mentorship. Firms should establish formal mentorship programs that focus on developing critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and client interaction skills.?
5. Adapt Law Firm Structures to the AI Era - The traditional pyramid model, which relies on a large base of junior associates performing routine tasks, may become less viable. Firms should consider restructuring to focus on specialised roles that integrate AI proficiency with legal expertise.?

It is increasingly apparent that the integration of AI into most professional services and knowledge works fields is inevitable; what we can do is prepare a workforce that can utilise the tools to leverage the benefits? by ensuring legal professionals are prepared to make the best use of the tools without sacrificing professional integrity. Innovative training methods and redefining traditional law firm structures can prepare associates to thrive in the now and future.

MEDIA?

Nicotine Patch for Social Media - My relationship with social media oscillates between love and hate. I’m constantly wrestling with how much time to spend on platforms that can quickly become bottomless time sinks. Case in point: on November 1st, I deleted Instagram and Twitter from my phone—only to reinstall Instagram the very next day. Hear me out: I needed to post photos from a recent hike. Now, as I write this edition, I’ve promised myself to finish this draft and even start work on Edition 15 before I check Instagram again.?

This tug-of-war with social media feels all too familiar, doesn’t it? Between setting app time limits and deleting them altogether (especially when I’m upskilling, like right now), it’s a constant challenge to maintain control.

Then there’s Reddit. I recently logged back in after a five-year hiatus, and it’s refreshing how different it feels. Reddit to me feels a bit different as anonymity is normalised —users have pseudonyms, and they gather in communities formed around shared interests. At the moment, the best description I have for it is a nicotine patch for social media. I’ve found all kinds of resources and recommendations in the communities that interest me, and it’s been quite rewarding. I would recommend Reddit to anyone looking to get off social without disconnecting entirely from the internet.?

Interestingly, Reddit has just hit profitability for the first time, with 100 million daily users—a sign it’s a growing platform despite being previously just a niche network. Its tagline, “A network of communities where people can dive into their interests, hobbies, and passions,” genuinely resonates with me. At the moment, I’d rather use the internet to pick up a skill or indulge in a topic I am interested in for its sake, than be exposed to everything the internet has to offer. Sure, I’m aware there are murkier parts of Reddit, but so far, my experience has been good. If you’re looking to learn something new without the pressure and noise of traditional social media, give Reddit a shot.

LIFE?

My Brand of Patriotism - Patriotism, originating from the Latin patria—meaning “fatherland”—and refined through the French patriote, has traditionally represented a profound bond to one’s homeland and its ideals. Over time, however, this bond has grown layered, especially in an era where political landscapes often feel more divisive than unifying.

With the UK elections behind us and the U.S. elections approaching, I find myself reflecting on my relationship with politics. As a legal professional, my commitment to uphold democratic values is constantly challenged as I try to balance that commitment with my own mental well-being. The polarising rhetoric across Africa, the U.S., and the UK, forces me to constantly question myself: what type of patriotism do I wish to embody in these times?

While I’ve chosen to step back from overt political engagement, I’ve come to realise that complete disengagement would be a mistake. Leaving the public arena entirely risks others filling that space, often with voices that drive division rather than unity. In the words of Edmund Burke “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.?

As such, I’ve adopted a quieter approach, working behind the scenes—amplifying the achievements of others who share my values, offering consultations on campaign strategies, and mentoring young people who are navigating their own political paths. It’s my way of practising noblesse oblige: a conviction that those of us who can contribute meaningfully to the public good have a duty to do so.

Thanks to the internet, the call to service doesn’t have to mean being on the front lines. For some of us, it means working from the sidelines to uphold a sense of civic duty. My brand of patriotism may not come with public gestures; however I also accept the responsibility to actively support and help nurture anyone carrying the flame of the ideals that I believe in, within reason. All of this in the hopes that small, quiet acts of commitment can contribute to something larger than ourselves.

…my favourite things this week:

1. Song: Saint Tropez by Juls and Victony
2. Quote: “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”- Marcus Aurelius
3. Article:? They Are Scrubbing the Internet Right Now?

??? Enjoying the newsletter? Please share with someone who’d appreciate it just as much as you do. I’d love to hear your thoughts too—let me know what topics you’d like to see covered.

Thanks for reading, and see you in the next edition!

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