John W. Simek

John W. Simek

Host of Digital Detectives

John W. Simek is vice president of the digital forensics, managed information technology and cybersecurity firm Sensei Enterprises. He is a nationally known expert in cybersecurity and digital forensics. John possesses the prestigious Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) certifications as well as multiple other technical certifications. He was co-chair of ABA TECHSHOW 2019 and is a frequent author (18 books and hundreds of articles) and speaker on technology, cybersecurity and electronic evidence topics.

Recent Episodes
November 17, 2023

10 Startling Cybersecurity Statistics and What They Mean for the Future of Law Firms

For many years, Sharon Nelson and John Simek have hosted the Digital Detectives podcast to bring practical advice and much needed guidance to help attorneys protect their law firms. In this, their...

October 19, 2023

Enhancing Law Firm Cybersecurity: The Ten Most Important Steps

A strong foundation for your law firm should be built on sensible cybersecurity policies and procedures. What should that look like? Sharon Nelson and John Simek have a conversation with Mike Maschke...

September 21, 2023

Bad Tech Habits Your Firm Needs to Break

Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, no firm is too small to be a target for hackers. Each and every one—from large firms all the way down to solo attorneys—is...

August 24, 2023

Seven Use Cases Where AI can be a Hero to Digital Forensics

AI is capable of doing so many things in the legal tech world, not least of which are its uses in digital forensics. Sharon Nelson and John Simek welcome Shashi Angadi to...

August 17, 2023

Sharing Files With Clients: Security and File Management

Lawyers are often confused about the best and safest ways to share files with clients. Are standalone file sharing tools best? Should every lawyer have a client portal? Is email okay? Sharon...

June 15, 2023

Threats to Your Law Firm: Insiders and Outsiders

Employees within your organization are likely a bigger risk to your cybersecurity than threat actors from without. Why? Because it very often takes an insider to let in an outsider. Sharon Nelson...

May 24, 2023

EP428- Immigration Law with Javad Khazaeli Part Two

In Part Two of our enlightening discussion with immigration attorney Javad Khazaeli, you’ll learn more about roadblocks in the immigration system, including the antiquated process attorneys must attempt to follow to process...

May 18, 2023

BakerHostetler’s Data Security Incident Response Report Released

BakerHostetler’s latest data security report is here, and while the threat landscape is proving to be as consistent as ever, companies have been doing a better job at identifying and containing breaches...

April 20, 2023

E-Discovery Disrupted by the AI Revolution

The world’s ever-growing tsunami of digital data creates a huge need for technology capable of filtering it for modern e-discovery processes. So, what’s the best tool for the job? Sharon Nelson and...

March 23, 2023

Dean Andy Perlman on the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Law Schools

AI is already changing the legal profession, and law schools have a responsibility to stay on the cutting edge of this technology to equip future lawyers with all they need to know...

February 24, 2023

ITRC’s 17th Annual Data Breach Report Reveals Near-Record Number of Breaches

Cyber attacks are almost entirely responsible for today’s data breaches, and, increasingly often, the details of these breaches are vague—leaving security experts with a growing list of questions. Sharon Nelson and John...

January 20, 2023

It’s a Good Time for a Cybersecurity Checkup

There’s no “set it and forget it” for your law firm’s cybersecurity. Effective security is a continuing process, and the start of a new year is a great time to see how...

December 15, 2022

Holidays and Weekends: Prime Time for Cyberattacks

Cyber criminals aren’t taking time off for the holidays. In fact, Sharon and John had a surprise Thanksgiving morning when they learned that hackers had attacked their own company over 400 times...

November 17, 2022

The Ethics of Communicating with Your Clients and Using Your Smartphone

Communicating with clients is essential to good lawyering, but doing so without proper precautions could set you up for trouble. Sharon Nelson and John Simek discuss the ethics of lawyer communications with...

October 20, 2022

What Constitutes Ethical Cybersecurity for Law Firms Today?

Rapid changes in cybercrime and the security that keeps it at bay have left many lawyers’ heads spinning. With so much continuous change, how do you keep up with ethical cybersecurity needs...

September 29, 2022

ILTACON Roars Back in 2022 – Here’s What You Missed

ILTACON’s peer-driven approach strives to provide a unique experience for the legal industry with its heavy focus on education and attendee involvement. Sharon Nelson and John Simek welcome Doug Austin to debrief...

August 18, 2022

Ripped From the Headlines: Alex Jones and Inadvertent Waiver

In the midst of Alex Jones’ defamation trial, the whole world found out that an almost unthinkable blunder had been committed by his attorneys, resulting in an inadvertent waiver of privilege that...

July 28, 2022

Advice for Law Firms from a Data Breach/Privacy Lawyer

Studies show that over 70% of people haven’t the foggiest idea who to call first when they discover a data breach. If you’ve just realized you’re one of them, tune in! John...

June 23, 2022

How Secure is Your Law Firm’s Data?

Unfortunately, data breaches are becoming a ‘when’, not ‘if’, scenario, but a proactive data protection strategy will definitely help! Sharon Nelson and John Simek talk with Peter Baumann about what businesses should...

May 19, 2022

Revealing Stats from the 8th Annual BakerHostetler Data Security Incident Response Report

Avoiding a data breach should be amongst your top priorities, and understanding threats and causes helps you improve your preventative measures. Sharon Nelson and John Simek welcome back Craig Hoffman to unpack...

April 21, 2022

Russia’s Digital Iron Curtain

The online space for Russia’s civil society has been slowly closing for nearly a decade, but after the invasion in Ukraine, governmental powers quickly seized control of internet freedoms—banning and blocking at...

March 17, 2022

Cybersecurity: A Lawyer’s Ethical Duty to Read the News

Lucian Pera shares insights on the ethical considerations involved in ensuring leading-edge law firm cybersecurity.

February 17, 2022

ITRC’s 2021 Data Breach Report: Sobering Stats

James E. Lee discusses data breach trends and prevention tactics.

January 27, 2022

2022: What’s White Hot in Cybersecurity?

David G. Ries discusses the current trends in cybersecurity and offers tips for protecting your data from the latest threats.

December 16, 2021

Law Firms, Take Notice: The US is Cracking Down on Ransomware Gangs

Ariel Parnes offers insights on the government’s efforts to fight back against ransomware and cybercrime.

November 18, 2021

Why are Businesses, Including Law Firms, So Vulnerable to Ransomware?

David White offers tailored tips for lawyers based on Axio’s 2021 State of Ransomware Preparedness Report.

October 21, 2021

The SANS Institute and Cybersecurity Careers

Rob Lee offers insights on trends in the cybersecurity world and how to pursue a career in this exciting field.

September 28, 2021

Planning Your Cybersecurity Budget for 2022

Sherri Davidoff discusses current cyber threats and offers insights on how to plan and budget for effective security technology and training.

August 20, 2021

Ten Tips for Better ESI Expert Reports from Craig Ball

Craig Ball shares insights on the dos and don’ts of effective ESI expert reports.

July 27, 2021

Top 10 Tips: Effective Cybersecurity Awareness Training for Law Firm Employees

Beloved hosts and cybersecurity experts Sharon Nelson and John Simek share wisdom on equipping your staff with the necessary skills for guarding against cyber attack.

June 17, 2021

Why Solo, Small, and Mid-Size Law Firms Get a Failing Grade in Cybersecurity

Tom Lambotte shares valuable tips for small-firm attorneys on how to adequately guard against cyber attacks.

May 20, 2021

Startling Stats from the BakerHostetler Data Security Incident Response Report

Digital risk advisor Craig Hoffman talks through the uptick in ransomware attacks and other data security incidents found by BakerHostetler Data Security Incident Response Report.

April 14, 2021

Is This How the World Ends? Artificial Intelligence and American Security

Brigadier General Patrick Huston discusses common myths about AI and its role in our national security and military.

March 25, 2021

Clio’s 2021 Legal Trends for Solo Law Firms

Jack Newton shares insights on Clio’s first solo-focused trends report and offers tips for how to stay competitive in the midst of pandemic-era changes in solo practice.

March 18, 2021

Cybersecurity Priorities for President Biden

Lawyer and cybersecurity expert Stewart Baker examines the president’s current plans for our nation’s most pressing cyber concerns.

February 18, 2021

Occam’s Razor — A SolarWinds Perspective for Law Firms

Jeffrey Wells explains the SolarWinds hack and cybersecurity questions law firms should be asking in the wake of this massive attack.

January 28, 2021

2021 Update: Security Assessments and Penetration Testing for Law Firms

Sharon Nelson and John Simek offer insights into which types of security evaluations lawyers should consider for their law firms.

December 17, 2020

Clio’s Legal Trends Report 2020: A Look Into the Future of Law

Clio COO George Psiharis talks through this year’s trends and the sweeping transformative effect COVID-19 has had on the legal profession.

November 19, 2020

Ransomware Surges: What Law Firms Need to Know

Attorney and cybersecurity expert Ted Kobus addresses the rapid increase in ransomware incidents in 2020 and explains what law firms should do in the event of an attack.

October 15, 2020

“Zooming” Into 2021 with Audio/Video Discovery

Doug Austin and Brett Burney give best practice tips for audio and video discovery.

September 24, 2020

The Perils of Biometric Information: Relevant Laws and Insurance Coverage for Biometric Lawsuits

Judy Selby gives a comprehensive overview of the many uses and risks associated with biometric information.

August 20, 2020

Penetration Tests and Cybersecurity Assessments: What Lawyers Need to Know

Cybersecurity expert Mike Maschke explains how penetration tests help lawyers protect themselves by identifying weak points in their security systems.

July 16, 2020

The Battle Against COVID-19: How eDiscovery Software is Playing a Role

Maura Grossman discusses how TAR is used by medical researchers to support their efforts to understand and treat COVID-19.

June 18, 2020

Work-At-Home and Remote Access – It’s Time for a Security Review

David Ries gives an overview of work-at-home and remote access best practices.

May 21, 2020

eDiscovery Before and After COVID-19: What to Expect

Doug Austin surveys the current state of the eDiscovery industry and discusses emerging trends.

April 23, 2020

Securing Microsoft Windows and Microsoft 365

Ben Schorr shares tips for improving security in Microsoft products.

March 23, 2020

Coronavirus and Working Remotely: What You Need to Know

John Simek and Sharon Nelson answer lawyers’ frequently asked questions about how to work remotely and securely.

March 2, 2020

ABA TECHSHOW 2020: Red Pill vs Blue Pill–How Deepfakes are Defining Digital Reality

Sharon Nelson and Lincoln Mead discuss both current and potential impacts of deepfakes on legal practice.

February 27, 2020

The 2019 Data Breach Numbers Are In – What Are They and What Do They Mean for 2020?

David Ries breaks down the trends in The Identity Theft Resource Center’s 2019 End-of-Year Data Breach Report.

January 30, 2020

The Intersection of Ethics and Artificial Intelligence

Michael Mills surveys the landscape of AI and its ethical implications within the practice of law.