Professional secrecy is the cornerstone of legal professions. Lawyers, notaries, bailiffs: you handle confidential information daily that deserves maximum protection. Yet, the majority of firms still use Gmail, Outlook, or American cloud solutions, potentially exposing their clients\' data to foreign jurisdictions. Here\'s why Swiss hosting with Infomaniak represents a far more secure alternative.
Professional Secrecy in the Digital Age
Attorney-client privilege is a fundamental legal principle in all major jurisdictions. It covers all communications between a lawyer and their client, whether verbal or written. This protection naturally extends to electronic communications: emails, shared documents, video conferences.
For notaries, professional secrecy is equally strict. Information gathered in the exercise of their duties is covered by an obligation of absolute confidentiality.
But what happens when these communications pass through American servers? The answer is concerning: they can potentially be accessed by American authorities, even without notifying the professional concerned.
The Problem with American Hosts
Since the adoption of the Cloud Act in 2018, American companies are required to provide authorities with the data they host, including when that data is stored in Europe. This law applies to Microsoft (Outlook, OneDrive), Google (Gmail, Drive), Amazon (AWS), and all major cloud players.
What the Cloud Act Says
The Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act allows American authorities to access data held by American companies, regardless of where that data is physically stored. An email hosted on a Microsoft server in Ireland remains subject to the Cloud Act.
For a law firm, this situation is problematic on several levels. First, it creates a potential incompatibility with professional secrecy: if American authorities can access attorney-client communications, is secrecy truly preserved? Second, it exposes the firm to professional liability risks in case of a confidentiality breach.
Various legal professional bodies have warned the profession about these risks. In multiple communications, they recommend that lawyers favor European hosting solutions, or even use end-to-end encryption for the most sensitive communications.
Why Switzerland Offers Superior Protection
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but it offers a level of data protection recognized as adequate by the European Commission. This unique position presents several advantages for legal professionals.
A Tradition of Confidentiality
Switzerland built its reputation on banking secrecy and neutrality. This culture of confidentiality permeates its entire legal framework, including personal data protection. The Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP), recently revised to strengthen individuals\' rights, is one of the strictest in the world.
No Obligation to Transfer Data to the United States
Unlike American companies, Swiss hosts like Infomaniak are not subject to the Cloud Act. Data hosted in Switzerland remains under Swiss jurisdiction. American authorities cannot demand its disclosure without going through official diplomatic channels, a lengthy and complex process that provides real safeguards.
Native GDPR Compatibility
The European Commission has recognized that Switzerland offers an adequate level of protection under the GDPR. Data transfers to Switzerland are therefore authorized without additional safeguards. For a firm handling European clients\' data, this is a considerable advantage in terms of compliance.
Infomaniak: The Trusted Host
Founded in 1994 in Geneva, Infomaniak is the largest independent Swiss host. 100% of data is stored in ISO 27001 certified Swiss data centers. The company does not resell any data and is contractually committed to confidentiality.
Infomaniak Solutions for Legal Firms
Infomaniak offers a complete ecosystem that meets the specific needs of legal professions. Here\'s how each tool can integrate into a firm\'s daily routine.
Secure Professional Email
Infomaniak email offers everything a firm expects: email addresses on your domain name, high-performance anti-spam, shared calendar, synchronized contacts. The webmail interface is modern and intuitive, accessible from any browser.
For sensitive communications, you can enable encryption for stored emails. Your messages remain readable only by you—even Infomaniak administrators cannot access them.
Document Storage and Sharing with kDrive
kDrive is the Swiss alternative to Google Drive and OneDrive. You store your client files, deeds, and briefs there. Synchronization with your computers is seamless thanks to desktop applications. Secure sharing lets you send large documents to clients with password protection and expiration dates.
The versioning feature preserves modification history for 90 days. Made a mistake? Restore the previous version in a few clicks.
Confidential Video Conferencing with kMeet
Remote consultations have become commonplace. kMeet lets you organize video meetings without installing software on the client side. Your participants join the meeting via a simple link. Streams are encrypted and pass exclusively through Infomaniak\'s Swiss servers.
Integrated Office Suite
kSuite includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and online presentation tool. You can collaborate in real time on a document with a colleague or client, without having to exchange files by email.
Compliance Steps: A Practical Guide
Migrating to Infomaniak doesn\'t happen overnight, but the process is well-defined. Here are the main steps for a firm wanting to regain control of its data.
1. Current Infrastructure Audit
Start by inventorying your current tools: email, cloud storage, collaborative tools. Identify where your data is hosted and what risks are involved. This mapping will help you prioritize the migration.
2. Choosing the Right Plan
For a solo practitioner or small firm, My kSuite or a Mail Hosting plan is generally sufficient. For a multi-partner firm with advanced collaboration needs, kSuite Business offers more features.
3. Email Migration
Infomaniak\'s migration tool automatically transfers your emails from Gmail, Outlook, or any IMAP server. The complete history is preserved, including folders and subfolders. Migration can run alongside your daily use, with no interruption.
4. Document Transfer
kDrive offers direct import from Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. For locally stored files, a simple drag-and-drop into the desktop application is all it takes.
5. Workstation Configuration
Standard email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail) can be configured in minutes with Infomaniak settings. Smartphones sync natively via IMAP and CalDAV.
6. Team Training
The Infomaniak interface is intuitive, but a short training session speeds up adoption. Plan one hour to present the new tools to the team.
Need Assistance?
InfoSwitch supports legal firms in their migration to Infomaniak. From audit to training, we manage the entire process so you can focus on your cases.
The Cost of Security
Contrary to popular belief, Swiss hosting is not more expensive than American solutions. Here\'s a comparison for a 5-person firm:
| Solution | Price/user/month | Storage | Hosting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | 5.60€ | 1 TB | USA/EU |
| Google Workspace Starter | 5.75€ | 30 GB | USA/Global |
| kSuite Pro | 5.87€ | 3 TB shared | Switzerland |
At an equivalent price, you benefit from Swiss hosting, multilingual support, and a genuine confidentiality guarantee. The value for money is unbeatable.
Frequently Asked Questions from Legal Professionals
Will my emails still be accessible from my smartphone?
Absolutely. Infomaniak email uses standard IMAP and CalDAV protocols. It syncs perfectly with native iOS and Android apps, as well as Outlook mobile.
Can I keep my current email address?
Yes, if you use your own domain name (smith-law.com for example). You simply change hosts, not addresses. Your clients won\'t notice any difference.
How can I ensure my old emails are properly deleted from Google/Microsoft?
After migration, you retain access to your old account for a few weeks to verify everything is properly transferred. Then you can request complete deletion of your data via Google or Microsoft\'s GDPR tools.
Does encryption slow down email access?
Infomaniak\'s server-side encryption is transparent. You won\'t notice any performance difference in daily use. Only the storage of encrypted emails takes slightly more space.
Conclusion
Professional secrecy is non-negotiable. In a world where digital data has become the heart of legal practice, its protection deserves special attention. Swiss hosting with Infomaniak gives lawyers and notaries the peace of mind they deserve: their communications with clients remain truly confidential, sheltered from foreign jurisdictions.
Migration represents a limited time investment for a lasting benefit. Beyond regulatory compliance, it\'s a differentiating argument for clients who are increasingly aware of privacy issues.
Ready to migrate to Infomaniak?
Contact us for a free 15-minute audit. We will analyze your situation and provide you with a personalized quote.
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