How do I share confidential files securely?

How do I share confidential files securely?

How do I share confidential files securely? - Whether you work independently as a CPA or have an accounting firm, you are responsible for safeguarding client information. This is because a breach is not only devastating for the client but to the accountant's reputation as well.

Although paper records offer better protection, technological advances have seen a migration to storing documents online or in the cloud. Technology provides a more effortless and cheaper means to store, send, and receive documents. However, any information stored or transmitted electronically is at risk.

According to an article published in the Journal of Accountancy, small and medium-sized accounting firms are highly targeted as they lack sophisticated infrastructures to secure client data. Some firms neglect security, thinking hackers only target large corporations.

Hackers target accountants as they have access to clients' private data such as social security numbers, names, addresses, and financial records, among other most protected information for financial gains.

Recently, there has been an increasing number of data breaches targeting accountants. This has seen the IRS urging businesses to improve their data security, and they also released a guide to safeguarding taxpayer data.

To ensure client data remains secure, it's recommended to use secure file-sharing solutions. One such solution, specially designed for accountants, is the ICFiles, a secure file transfer system hosted on an AICPA-rated SOC 2 Type II data center. ICFiles encrypts stored files and uses DigiCert secure socket layer (SSL) certificate to ensure a safe internet connection while transferring files from one system to another, ensuring end-to-end encryption. More features can be accessed here.

It is important to note that data protection does not end with acquiring a secure file transfer system. Other measures should also be included to ensure overall data protection. Therefore, ensuring users understand the importance of securing client data is critical, especially with users accessing business systems remotely with their own devices. Other measures should include strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and off-site backups.