If you work in the accounting industry, you’re aware of the massive amount of confidential data you handle every day. Accountants constantly manage sensitive information like client names, addresses, account numbers and billing information. And without proper data backup plans, that puts a target on your back.
That’s why it’s crucial for those in the accounting industry to be extremely cautious and well-prepared in case of events like system outages and data breaches.
Without the right protection and recovery plans, the data accountants handle can be extremely vulnerable. Even if a data breach or cyberattack doesn’t directly affect a client, once word gets out that your accounting firm doesn’t implement the best cybersecurity and data backup practices, you’ll lose invaluable trust and future business.
Here are five sound reasons data backup is vital for accounting firms.
[Related: Accounting Firms’ Guide to Safeguarding Client Data]
Protect Against Disaster and Human Error
Data backup can protect important information when human error or natural disaster strikes. While human error — including water spills, accidental file deletions, dropped laptops and lost tablets — typically affects only a small amount of data, it can still create difficult obstacles for daily operations, especially if it harms client information.
Natural disasters like hurricanes, floods and fires can also hurt your accounting firm’s data management and may be absolutely devastating. If your organization stores sensitive data on-site without regular backups, you’re at additional risk.
Having a strong backup plan helps your accounting firm bounce back quickly and makes restoration simple.
Minimize Downtime with Data Backup
One major benefit of data backups is that they can drastically minimize downtime. Even if your firm doesn’t lose direct revenue during a data breach, you’ll most likely suffer from low productivity as you fight to get things back to normal and restore data.
A reliable backup plan with the aid of a managed services provider like CMIT Solutions allows your accounting staff to focus on getting back to business in a shorter time if data loss occurs.
[Related: 8 Cybersecurity Regulations To Be Aware of in the Finance Sector]
Uphold Trust and Maintain Reputation
The truth is this: If your accounting firm suffers a loss of confidential financial data, you’re going to lose trust among your clients.
Maintaining a positive reputation is paramount, particularly when you manage confidential financial information. Implementing managed backups helps ensure your firm’s data — and your reputation — stays impeccable.
Accessibility for Auditing
Knowing how to back up your data properly helps accounting firms remain compliant and ready for audits. Many regulations require firms to prove to auditors that they consistently have accessible backups of all sensitive client data and can restore that data quickly in the event of corruption or a data breach.
An inefficient backup plan causes audit delays and makes it more difficult to find the required data, like receipts and invoices.
Peace of Mind
One of the main reasons data backup is important is because it provides peace of mind. Knowing that your system and all your critical financial data are thoroughly secure and backed-up lets you rest easy and focus on your practice’s goals and growth.
While data backup is essential for any company, it’s especially crucial for accounting firms. Data backups not only save you money and time but also give your practice a competitive advantage and show clients that you’re trustworthy and reliable.
[Related: 5 Reasons Data Backup Is Essential for Nonprofits]
Implement the Best Data Backup Practices and Partner With CMIT Solutions Today
Don’t let the fact that you work with sensitive financial information make you a target for cybercriminals. At CMIT Solutions of Bellevue, we can help you implement the best data backup practices to keep your data secure.
Alongside these efforts, our years of experience dealing with complex networks and control systems in the finance industry put your mind at ease.
Let’s get started! Learn more about our managed IT and data backup and recovery services, and contact us today for a consultation.
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