Data breaches in the U.K. legal sector rose by 39% in the 12 months to mid-2024, according to an analysis of Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) data by NetDocuments that highlights the growing challenge facing law firms.

In the latest reporting period between Q3 2023 and Q2 2024, 2,284 incidents were reported to the ICO—a sharp increase from 1,633 cases the previous year, the report found. In total, data relating to 7.9 million people was compromised, amounting to 12% of the U.K. population.