ensuring uptime for yoru la cpa firm during tax season (slideshare)

3 Foolproof Data Security Policy Tips

for Your LA Accounting Firm

Courtesy of FPA Technology Services, Inc.

http://www.TechGuideforLACPAs.com

http://www.techguideforlacpas.com/

Sponsored by http://www.TechGuideforLACPAs.com

Craig PollackFounder & CEO

To be successful in this area,

data loss prevention needs

to be emphasized with

employees from the top

on a regular basis




Here are three ways you can

get your team to improve their

awareness and execution of

data security for electronic

files, email correspondence,

and structured data




1. Establish a Data Privacy

and Security Committee




Have the committee

provide regular updates on

the performance of the firm

on Key Performance Indicators

such as:




• Results of spot audits

for policy compliance




• Achievement of milestones

like adherence to password

requirements, mobile device

security and use of endpoint

security technology




• Implement a Network

Vulnerability Management

system and celebrate

months when there are

no exposures




• Congratulate your team

on extended periods of

virus prevention




If you have the proper balance

of reward and discipline for

security policies,




you will likely find people more

invested than if the committee

is viewed as a policing system

instead of a risk containment

or reputation mandate




2. Make the Policy

a Living Document




Have employees certify their

understanding of your policy

once a year




• The behaviors and

responsibilities of

compliance to set an

example to clients in

their own data privacy

stewardship




• To set standards of risk

management and data loss

prevention which can scale

as the accounting firm grows




• To keep the firm’s senior

executives, employees,

clients, and business partners

affairs private and out of the

headlines




• To set a “high watermark”

for continuous improvement

for the firm and to retain

the trust of clients




3. Write the Policy for

Readability, Not Legality




If you want your firm’s

colleagues and employees

to adhere to the standards

of security you set,




you want to make sure

the policy is written clearly




Just remember to reward

good data protection practices

as well as punishing for failure

to comply and poor practices,

or your policy will fall flat




We can help you create

practices and adopt solutions

which will protect your firm’s

reputation and your client data

from leakage or theft




Does your LA CPA firm

have a data security policy?




And if so, do you routinely

review it?




Tell us about it in the

Comments section below


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