In just the first six months of 2020, 36 billion records were exposed due to data breaches. Cybersecurity is a serious threat, especially to accounting firms that house sensitive information. The last thing you want is for your network to be compromised, which is why it's essential to maintain a strong IT infrastructure. Here are some ways to strengthen your systems to prevent cybersecurity threats and crimes.

Protect Your System

Over 95% of cybersecurity attacks are a result of human error. A systems backup is a mechanism that protects against these errors, as well as hardware failures, physical mishaps and malicious cyberattacks. Here are some ways to protect your systems.

Traditional Systems Backup

One of the most common ways to preserve your data is through a traditional systems backup. There are three types of backups that businesses typically perform:

  • Full backup
  • Incremental backup
  • Combination

A full backup is done while the system is not in use, and it encompasses every single file. Conversely, an incremental backup is performed while the system is operating and only includes files that have changed since the last backup.

Disaster Recovery

"Disaster" is a broad term — it can refer to anything that significantly impacts your working environment, from a cyberattack to a literal natural disaster. The goal of disaster recovery is to protect your data by duplicating information at a separate location. This way, the information is still accessible even if your servers aren't.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a pay-as-you-go method of preserving your data. It offers several IT resources, such as:

  • Technology services
  • Computing power
  • Extra storage
  • Database maintenance

One of the main advantages of cloud computing is that it provides fraud detection and prevention in real time, making it desirable for accounting firms.

Firewalls

Imagine your data is a house — to protect it from intruders, you need to lock the door. That's where firewalls come in. A cybersecurity firewall protects against remote attacks and prevents your employees from inadvertently accessing dangerous websites that release malware. This is more common than you might expect; it's reported that 97% of email users don't recognize complex phishing emails.

Security Keys

One way to protect your system is to make sure your employees are the only people who can access it. Security keys are devices that can prompt a system to open by being plugged directly into a computer.

Another security mechanism is multifactor authentication. Once an employee logs onto their work account, they verify their identity by responding to a text message on their personal device, such as their smartphone. Sometimes, this may require typing in a specific code; this way, if someone else gets their hands on an employee device, the system still can't be compromised.

Strengthening Your IT System

Now that you know about the various methods available for protecting your IT system, you may be wondering how you can integrate them into your business.

Haycor Computer Solutions offers IT services for accounting firms in Toronto and the GTA, specializing in everything from cybersecurity and backup recovery to cloud computing and IT consulting. By conducting intricate data backups, detecting spam email campaigns and securing your network against foreign attacks, we protect your information and the integrity of your business. We stand by our results, which is why we offer a 100% money-back guarantee if you're anything less than satisfied. Learn more about how our IT services can help you by visiting our site and contacting us today.