The Accounting Guardian Program
Cybersecurity for the Accounting Industry!
Are you confident your data is secure? With 25 years of experience, we provide the 24/7 protection you need to finally sleep soundly.
Security Designed for Accountants — Not Against Them
Our cybersecurity approach for accounting firms is built on the principle that security must protect your firm without disrupting your work. While we deploy advanced safeguards such as Zero Trust architecture, application whitelisting, and continuous threat monitoring, we design every control with real-world usability in mind.
We understand that most CPAs are not technology experts
That’s why our cybersecurity solutions are carefully designed to fit naturally into your existing workflows.
From streamlined logins to minimized prompts and clear, predictable user experiences, we strike the right balance between security and efficiency. Our approach ensures your staff can work securely without frustration, excessive interruptions, or complex procedures — because effective cybersecurity must support productivity, not get in the way.
Accounting firms are prime targets for phishing, ransomware, credential theft, and client data exposure.
We implement modern security frameworks that protect sensitive financial and tax data across email, cloud applications, endpoints, and remote access.
Our layered approach includes Zero Trust access controls, application whitelisting, endpoint protection, email security, and continuous monitoring — all designed to reduce risk without slowing down daily operations. The goal is simple: protect your firm, your clients, and your reputation from today’s evolving cyber threats.
Cybersecurity solutions designed to protect Accounting Platforms, Payroll Systems, and Secure Document Storage & Portals
We secure your accounting ecosystem at the source, using Zero Trust identity verification and Browser Isolation to ensure your cloud data stays in your hands—and out of the wrong ones.
MANAGE IT NY — Accounting Guardian Program — Trusted Cybersecurity Partner
Defense in numbers -Transform your security operations
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WEB & MOBILE APPS TESTED
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USERS SECURED GLOBALLY
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IDENTIFIED VULNERABILITIES
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BUSINESS RISKS REMEDIATED
FTC Safeguards Rule
1. The "Security Six" (The Baseline)
IRS Publication 4557 outlines the federal requirements for tax professionals to safeguard taxpayer data. It is a roadmap for complying with the FTC Safeguards Rule.
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Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Required for any person accessing customer information or internal systems.
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Drive Encryption: Full-disk encryption for all computers, laptops, and backup drives containing client data.
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Anti-Malware/Antivirus: Centrally managed and automatically updated software to block ransomware and viruses.
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Firewalls: Both hardware and software firewalls to shield your network from unauthorized traffic.
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Secure Backups: Encrypted backups stored offsite (cloud or external drive) and disconnected from the network when not in use.
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Virtual Private Network (VPN): Encrypted tunnels for any employee connecting to the office or cloud from a remote or public network.
Written Information Security Plan (WISP)
2. The Written Information Security Plan (WISP)
By law, you must have a written document that describes how your firm protects data. It must include:
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Designated Coordinator: A specific person (internal or outsourced MSP) responsible for the program.
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Risk Assessment: A documented list of everywhere you store PII (SSNs, bank info) and the potential threats to it.
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Employee Training: Proof that staff have been trained on phishing, password hygiene, and data handling.
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Incident Response Plan: A clear "what to do" guide in case of a breach or data loss.
IRS 4557 and FTC compliance.
3. Administrative & Physical Controls
Strategic policies and physical safeguards form the human-and-hardware foundation required to meet IRS 4557 and FTC compliance.
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Access Control: Limiting data access to only those employees who "need to know" to perform their jobs.
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Facility Security: Locking file cabinets and server rooms; ensuring screens lock automatically after inactivity.
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Service Provider Oversight: Contracts with your vendors (like TaxDome or QBO) must state they also maintain appropriate security measures.
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Hardware Disposal: Securely "wiping" or physically destroying old hard drives and printers before disposal.
ThreatLocker® Cyber Hero® Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
4. Detection and Response
Prompt notifications 24/7/365, Cyber Hero Team offers around-the-clock Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services to keep organizations secure and alert even outside of standard hours of operation.
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Monitoring: Regularly reviewing system logs for suspicious activity (e.g., mass data downloads).
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Reporting: A commitment to immediately report any suspected data theft to the IRS Stakeholder Liaison.
The importance of cybersecurity for the Accounting industry
For accounting firms, software like TaxDome and QuickBooks Online (QBO) are the "Vaults" of the practice. While these platforms are secure in the cloud, they are highly vulnerable to how your staff accesses them.
A Cybersecurity MSP (Managed Service Provider) like Manage IT NY helps by securing the "human and device" side of the equation, ensuring the "keys" to these vaults aren't stolen.
Hardening Identity (The "Keys")
Accountants are frequently targeted by Business Email Compromise (BEC). If a hacker gets an employee's email password, they can reset the TaxDome or QBO password and lock you out. Enforced MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication): We don't just "suggest" MFA; we enforce it using hardware keys (like Yubico) or authenticator apps, making it 99% harder for hackers to use stolen passwords. Conditional Access: We set rules so that your staff can only log into TaxDome or QBO from a managed company laptop and a verified IP address (like your office or a secure VPN), blocking all login attempts from foreign countries.
Securing the Endpoint (The "Doorway")
Cloud software is only as secure as the computer accessing it. If a staff member has a "keylogger" or malware on their laptop, they are inadvertently handing over client data. ThreatLocker: Application Allow-Listing: We ensure that only verified tax and accounting apps can run. If a staff member accidentally clicks a fake "QuickBooks Update" that is actually malware, ThreatLocker blocks it instantly because it isn't on the "Allow List." Device Isolation: We ensure that personal computers (BYOD) are never used for client work, as they lack the professional-grade encryption and monitoring needed for sensitive tax data.
IRS & FTC Compliance (The "Armor")
As a tax professional, federal law (IRS Publication 4557 and the FTC Safeguards Rule) requires you to have a Written Information Security Plan (WISP). WISP Development: We help you draft and maintain this mandatory document, proving to regulators that you have technical safeguards in place. Activity Auditing: We monitor logs for suspicious activity like an employee suddenly downloading 100 client folders from TaxDome at 2 AM and alert you before data can be exfiltrated.
Integration & Data Flow Security
When you sync TaxDome with QuickBooks Online, data moves via API. API Security Audits: We verify that the "bridges" between your apps are secure and that no third-party "connector" apps have excessive permissions to read or delete your data. Automated Offboarding: When a staff member leaves, we use one-click lockout tools to ensure they lose access to TaxDome, QBO, and your email simultaneously, preventing "disgruntled employee" data theft.
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End the headache of fintech security with Vaximo
Cybersecurity is a time-consuming and arduous endeavour. Seku understands that as a fintech company, you can't combine running your business and protecting your data.
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Vaximo delivers a powerful suite of security solutions specifically built for fintech ecosystems.
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From real-time fraud detection to cloud infrastructure defense and compliance automation.
Answers You Can Trust
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1. Do you offer 24/7/365 monitoring?
Yes, our partner's ThreatLocker and SentinelOne threat detection and response teams operate around the clock.
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2. Why is Cybersecurity so important for the Accounting Industry?
Failing to meet these security standards can result in the revocation of your EFIN (Electronic Filing Identification Number) and significant FTC fines.
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3. Is cloud accounting software like QuickBooks Online and TaxDome already secure?
While these platforms have world-class server security, they are only as safe as the device and the person accessing them. Most breaches happen at the "access layer"—meaning a hacker steals a staff member's password or hijacks an active browser session. Our program goes beyond the vendor’s basic settings by enforcing Zero Trust protocols. This ensures that even if a password is stolen, the "vault" remains locked because the login attempt didn't come from an authorized, healthy device or a verified location.
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4. What does "IRS Publication 4557 Compliance" actually mean for my IT setup?
IRS Pub 4557 isn't just a suggestion; it’s a federal requirement for any firm handling taxpayer data. It mandates that you have a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) and specific technical safeguards like MFA on all accounts, full-disk encryption on all laptops, and secure, isolated backups. We specialize in the "Security Six" baseline required by the IRS, ensuring your firm meets these standards so you can confidently check "Yes" on your Form W-12 every year without fear of an audit or losing your EFIN.
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5. Can’t I just use a standard antivirus and a strong password?
In the accounting world, "standard" is no longer enough. Ransomware specifically targets the databases used by software like Drake, Lacerte, and UltraTax. We implement Application Allow-Listing (via ThreatLocker), which blocks any software from running unless it is explicitly on your firm’s "Approved List." This stops 100% of unknown malware and "zero-day" attacks that standard antivirus often misses, ensuring your tax season workflow remains uninterrupted.