How do we protect our clients information?
Technology has evolved over the years. Gone are the days that the biggest worry would be completing Snake on a Nokia 3210! Smart technology with all its benefits does come with greater risk, simply due to the volume of personal data required.
In January 2022, Accounting Web quoted that a ‘cyber security incident’ had knocked out the systems for SJD Accountancy and Nixon Williams, one of the UK’s largest accountancy firms to contractors.
A spokesperson for the brands quoted: “We recently suffered a cyber security incident that impacted some of our key systems and caused significant disruption to our services. We are working with a team of IT experts to ensure we get back to normal operations as quickly as possible and we have informed the relevant authorities.”
We want to share what we do to keep our business, and most importantly our clients’ details, safe and secure. So how do we do just that? Working together with our cyber security partners, Naq, we breakdown all the high-level security initiatives we have in place.
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Continuous Cyber Security Training
Every single member of our team takes part in regular cyber security and privacy training. This high-end training includes:
- Identifying threats
- Best practice in email security
- Password management
- Regular Phishing tests
- Incident report training
Studies show that security risks are reduced by 70% when adequate training is provided; so our regular training should provide full reassurance that our guys are a great line of defense.
Password protection
“Password guessing is an incredibly common method used by cybercriminals in order to get access to accounts.”
Changing your password may seem a simple task, but it is so crucial in preventing cyber-attacks.
Our entire team have bespoke passwords to access each programme or device. From their outlook to server access and our website. We use award winning password management software Keeper to provide a double layer of password protection and advanced encryption to keep hackers at bay.
Two-factor authentication
This additional feature means that should someone gain access to our system, this unidentified person will be required to provide a unique verification code. This code can only be obtained through the allocated email address or telephone number. If you are not the genuine user, you will not have access to this code and you are not getting in!
A good way to look at this feature is as follows: should someone obtain your house keys, they could get in, but with your amazing security system they wouldn’t be able to snoop around and get any of the goods. They would be caught in minutes.
Integrated Security and Email Continuity
80% of small businesses owners think they aren’t a target to cyber criminals. However, in 2020, most small businesses were attacked. In addition, there has been a significant increase in dodgy emails with malicious links and virus ridden attachments. Our cyber security protection is not only about protecting our business against cyber-attacks but preventing those that could be shared to others.
Mimecast M2 has been implemented to prevent just that. Not only does it protect an attempted attack to our system but likewise prevents any going out to our clients or personal email contacts. For example, spam like emails disguised to appear as Integro Accounting.
Server and Phone Security
When you lose your keys, you normally have a spare one stored somewhere. . .the same principle applies to our company servers and phones.
As a company we hold multiple servers to secure and protect business information. These are also held in multiple locations so that in the instance of a cyber attack the issue can be managed without disturbing the other servers. These are bank grade servers with multiple reserves so again should our phones also be impacted; your accountant can still be contacted.
GDPR compliance through policies and legal documents
As an accountancy firm, or any service provider, we are legally required to be fully transparent as to how we look after your personal data. This applies to all companies regardless of their size.
We have all the necessary GDPR compliance documents in place to show how we manage the use of sensitive personal data by Integro. It’s our promise to you.
Website Protection
Our website is home to thousands of articles and web forms. No client data is ever saved on this channel. We make sure to keep it protected by:
Updating all website applications and plugins
Like any smartphone, you will be required to update your software regularly. This is to prevent any issues that can damage your device. The same applies to our website. All our plugins and applications, which help run the website, are kept up to date. Without these updates, old plugins can leave the website more vulnerable to hacks. Out of date apps means a higher risk of an attack.
Removing all web form data
All web form submissions are downloaded on a regular basis and saved on our external servers. Again, no personal data can be found on the website.
Web-app firewall on our website
Running regular vulnerability scanning of our website. This gives us opportunity to update or change an area before any issues could occur.
Cloud based bookkeeping software
We recommend FreeAgent not only for their amazing software for freelancers, but also for the guaranteed protection that comes with holding one of their licenses. FreeAgent holds a Cyber Essentials Plus certificate. This means extra level of cyber cover. Full details of FreeAgents Cyber Security protection can be found here.
We hope you have found the above information useful. If you find yourself unhappy with the security of your current accountant, why not speak to a member of our team to discuss how we can help you. Simply call 0207 0962659, complete our call back request form or email christian@integroaccounting.com
If you feel your business would benefit from additional cyber security, then let Naq take care of this for. They offer a special discount exclusively to Integro Accounting clients. Click here and get in touch for more information.