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Stockport-based O’Neill Patient has become one of the few UK law firms to secure the ISO27001 Information Security standard – demonstrating its robust approach to handling its client data securely.
In an industry where secure data handling is a major concern, the firm has invested significantly to achieve the standard, improving our people training and bringing in new software and systems throughout the organisation, as managing partner Sue Brown (pictured) explained: “ISO27001 is a very difficult standard to attain for any business, especially an organisation operating in the legal sector, so I am delighted that we have met the strict criteria.”
As Sue continued, “We are entrusted in this sector with our clients’ most confidential information and the correct management of that has always been the single most important priority within O’Neill Patient. The receipt of this accreditation is a fantastic seal of approval and testament to our people’s commitment in embracing the changes and improvements we have made.”
The news comes in tandem with O’Neill Patient’s decision to recruit an additional 15 employees, taking its workforce to 210. The practice has welcomed new employees across all areas of its business and intends to create another five positions in the coming months.
Sue concluded: “The two announcements are closely linked; we needed new team members to support the work we put into securing the ISO27001 accreditation and equally needed to employ great people across the business who can help deliver within a new, stringent framework.
“In doing so, we have become a renowned local employer, with a large proportion of our workforce from within Stockport and Greater Manchester. We look forward to recruiting more fantastic local people in the near future.
“I would like to thank our team – including Alison Brown who joined us last year to work on this project – for their willingness to learn, adapt and apply new processes in the work they do. All of our people including those in HR, IT, finance, administration and facilities have been fundamental in reaching this milestone.”
The ISO27001 standard was launched by ISO in 2005 and there are only a small number of law firms who have taken the steps to achieve accreditation to cover the full scope of their operations.
O’Neill Patient has occupied its current Hazel Grove offices since 2002 providing quality professional, legal services outside of the city centre. Senior Partner Les Patient has worked as a lawyer in Hazel Grove since 1977.
