Cybersecurity Solutions and Tips for Calgary Accounting Firms

As an accounting firm, you understand the serious nature of protecting your clients’ sensitive financial data and personal information. Today, cyber threats are more prevalent than ever, making the need for robust cybersecurity solutions substantial for every accounting business. 

At PCe Solutions, we’re committed to helping Calgary accounting firms protect valuable data and ensure business continuity. We offer full-scale cybersecurity services, managed IT services, and IT support designed to meet the unique needs of Calgary’s accounting businesses. 

10 Cybersecurity Best Practices for Accounting Firms

While cybersecurity solutions are important in protecting your firm’s data, they can only do so much. Think of it like a high-tech security system for your office; it’s a great way to secure your property, but if someone leaves the front door wide open, it won’t matter how sophisticated your alarm is. 

That’s where cybersecurity best practices come in. Establishing and following stringent cybersecurity rules can help your firm strengthen technical defences and significantly reduce risk. 

Here are some of the most important cybersecurity best practices every accounting firm in Calgary should adopt:

1. Strong Password Management

Implement a strict password policy that enforces the use of complex passwords, regular password changes, and multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Consider a reliable password manager that helps your employees generate strong, secure passwords. 

2. Regular Software Updates

Keep all software, including operating systems, applications, and antivirus programs updated. This helps prevent vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can easily exploit.

3. Employee Training and Awareness

Educate your team about common cyber threats like phishing scams, social engineering, and malware attacks. Regular security training should be provided to reinforce best practices and keep them informed about new cybersecurity threats.

4. Secure Wi-Fi Networks

Use strong encryption protocols, such as WPA2 or WPA3, to secure your Wi-Fi networks and prevent unauthorized access. Consider adding a guest network for visitors to isolate your internal network further and avoid the need to share passwords with clients or contractors.

5. Data Backup and Recovery

Regularly back up your important data to a cloud service or a secure offsite location. This ensures you can recover data in the event of a cyberattack, a system failure, or a natural disaster.

6. Access Control and Permissions

Limit employee access to sensitive data based on their roles and responsibilities. Implement a least-privilege access model to minimize potential damage from compromised accounts. 

7. Firewall Protection

Deploy a secure firewall to monitor and control network traffic, block unauthorized access attempts and prevent malicious intrusions. 

8. Antivirus and Antimalware Software

Install and regularly update antivirus and antimalware software on all devices to detect and remove malicious software that can compromise your systems.

9. Email Security 

Implement email filtering and anti-spam measures to prevent phishing attacks and other email-borne threats. Educate employees about identifying suspicious emails, links, and attachments. 

10. Mobile Device Security

Secure company-issued mobile devices with strong passwords, encryption, and mobile device management solutions to protect data accessed or stored on these devices. 

Partner with PCe Solutions for Comprehensive Cybersecurity Solutions

Implementing these best practicies can significantly improve your business’s level of cybersecurity. However, managing all aspects of cybersecurity can be challenging, especially for a busy accounting firm. At PCe Solutions, we’re happy to provide comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, guiding you through these best practices and securing your data with robust cybersecurity solutions. 

We can provide: 

• Cybersecurity assessments
• Managed IT and cybersecurity services
• Data backup and disaster recovery
• Security awareness training

Contact PCe Solutions today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can protect your Calgary accounting firm from cyber threats.