Network security is a significant consideration for every business, but when it comes to accounting, the stakes couldn't be higher. After all, you're protecting the personal and financial data that influences your clients' lives--which means even the smallest misstep could have serious consequences. Here are a few tips to take control of your accounting firm's network security.
Approaching Network Security The Smart Way
For the most part, organizations in the accounting industry understand the significance of network security. They know it takes a set of interwoven solutions and that there's no "quick fix" for the kind of threats they're protecting against--and, of course, they know it's required by all kinds of data and privacy regulations.
But do you know how to approach network security the smart way?
Too often, accounting firms get caught up in the threats and vulnerabilities, forgetting that network security must also be efficient for users. The result is a tangle of solutions that create bottlenecks, silos, and other frustrations--sometimes without solving the original problem. In other cases, the opposite is true: Firms try so hard to maintain efficiency that their network security solutions aren't able to function properly.
The key is to strike a balance by breaking security into two types:
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Internal: Even if it's accidental, employees can expose your accounting firm to risk through human error. There's also the risk of bad actors like disgruntled workers purposefully causing security breaches.
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External: The most common security risks are external--including hackers, malware, data theft, and more.
This kind of classification makes it easier to manage and implement network security solutions without interrupting day-to-day work.
Tips for Network Security In Accounting
Once you've broken network security into internal and external threats, you can start implementing the tips and tools that will help you strike an effective balance. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Get Expert Help
Accounting firms and their teams rarely have all the expertise necessary to enable network security--and that's okay. You don't need to do everything yourself. Instead, managed IT services can step in to help. With managed IT, you get 24/7 access to a provider who offers solutions such as network monitoring, access control, and more--all designed to help protect your firm without giving you extra hoops to jump through. Plus, you get the final say on all solutions and tools, which means security solutions will always be designed around your needs.
Don't Use Public Networks
Public networks seem like an efficient option for on-the-go employees. However, these networks don't have the same level of security you can ensure at your firm--which means even a quick connection could expose private company data to malicious actors. That means your accounting firm should have a policy against using free Wifi available at some restaurants and other locations.
Create Password Schedules And Systems
These days, it's getting increasingly difficult to keep up with all those passwords. Of course, that's no excuse to start using simpler ones or--worse--using the same one over and over. Instead, you need password schedules and systems. Creating a solid approach helps employees know exactly how to create passwords, where to store them securely, and--perhaps most importantly--how often to change them.
Protect Your Printers
Printers are often left unprotected, which means hackers see them as an easy target. Make sure your accounting firm stays out of the line of fire by securing all network printers with firewalls, passwords, encryption, and more. You should also use security tools for in-person protection--for example, follow-me printing, which keeps print jobs in a queue so they aren't left on the printer tray and potentially vulnerable to theft.
Communicate Clearly
Communication is an important but often-overlooked part of network security. Firstly, you need to communicate internally: Let employees know what's expected of them, what common threats look like, how they can protect the firm, and more. This helps ensure efficiency and minimizes security-related disruptions. After that, communicate with clients and other external parties so everyone knows what to expect when working with your firm.
In conclusion, accounting firms need network security that is both internal and external--and just as effective as it is efficient.
Do you need help improving network security in your accounting organization? Contact us today to learn more about solutions such as managed IT services.