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Accounting firms have a special category of information that has a lot of valuable data. Professional accountants and accounting firms often store, manage and monitor valuable financial data. They are the key people entrusted with potentially sensitive business information. These professionals must take special precautions because this type of information, whether requested by customers or simple managers, often passes through the desk. Accounting is a very sensitive industry and is subject to cyber attacks. The list of cyber-related risks and threats has grown more complex, but anything that compromises the integrity of the services you provide is a risk that needs to be addressed to keep your employees and customers safe.
It’s important to regularly educate your team about the various (and changing) aspects of cybersecurity. This training should include advice on how to keep employees safe when processing online or sensitive data.
Make sure all computers are up-to-date, especially firmware and software updates or patches. Two separate attacks hacked an older version of Windows that no longer received security updates, exposing billions of details across various industries.
Regularly applying security updates, including patches, is a small and convenient step accounting firms can take to increase security and protect against a variety of risks. This means evaluating the software running on your computer to make sure it’s patched, especially if it’s off-site.
In a busy office environment like an accounting office, allowing all employees to access data is a vulnerability. For example, administrative staff may not need to review sensitive data such as financial statements. You need to proactively manage access to different types of data and make sure you have the right chain of permissions.
Setting access levels, such as setting file permissions, can help identify potential breaches and risks.
By providing multiple steps to enter the software, you can prevent possible hackers and other malicious users. This can be achieved by using a mobile authentication app, using a mobile phone number to receive a temporary access code, or using a USB as a “key”. Due to the extra layer of security, this is known as “multi-factor” authentication.
Hacker have selected returns that had been completed but not yet submitted, changed certain details, and sent them to the IRS in hopes that the refund would be collected before the legitimate sender.
In the grand scheme of things, there are no fraudulent tax returns. The amount of personal information that a certified public accounting firm collects about a client over the years can be staggering, and this is a real problem. When this data falls into the hands of cybercriminals, it can lead to theft of personal information, fraud, and even tangible property.
Accounting practices vary in all types and sizes, from parent and company firms working with individual and small business clients to international CPA firms.
System security audits are not much different from traditional audits. Experts review configuration and practice details and compare them with recommendations and required settings and behaviors.
Our goal is to help people in the best way possible. This is a basic principle in every case and cause for success. contact us today for a free consultation.
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