Category: PCI DSS

Cybersecurity Essentials for Accounting Practices: Protecting Your Clients’ Data

Accounting firms are more vulnerable than ever to cyber threats. With sensitive financial data at stake, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures is not just a regulatory requirement but also a cornerstone of client trust and business continuity. This guide outlines the cybersecurity essentials every accounting practice must implement to safeguard client data effectively.

Why Cybersecurity Matters for Accounting Firms

Accounting firms handle vast amounts of sensitive information, from social security numbers to financial records. A breach can result in:

Financial Loss: Cyberattacks like ransomware can lead to significant monetary damage.
Legal Penalties: Non-compliance with regulations such as GDPR, SOX, or PCI DSS can result in hefty fines.
Reputation Damage: Losing client trust can have long-term repercussions on your firm’s credibility.

Key Cybersecurity Practices for Accounting Firms

Understand Your Threat Landscape
- Cyber threats like phishing, ransomware, and social engineering are common in the financial sector. Stay informed about emerging risks and trends.
Train Your Team
- Educate employees on recognizing phishing attempts, safe browsing habits, and secure data handling practices. Human error remains one of the leading causes of breaches.
Comply with Regulations
- Ensure compliance with industry standards like GDPR and SOX by implementing necessary controls and documenting your cybersecurity measures.
Implement Access Controls
- Limit access to sensitive data based on roles. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and encryption to secure files and systems.
Use Reliable Accounting Software
- Invest in software with strong encryption, automated security features, and compatibility with your firm’s processes. This ensures both efficiency and security.
Regular Backups
- Maintain encrypted backups of all critical data to mitigate the impact of potential breaches or system failures.
Secure Your Network
- Use firewalls, antivirus software, and endpoint detection systems to protect your network from unauthorized access.
Patch Management
- Regularly update all software and systems to close vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.

The Role of Professional IT Support

While implementing these measures is essential, managing them effectively requires expertise. Partnering with a trusted IT service provider ensures that your cybersecurity strategy is robust, up-to-date, and aligned with your business needs.

Why Choose Farmhouse Networking?

Farmhouse Networking specializes in providing tailored IT solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, including accounting firms. With years of experience in cybersecurity, network maintenance, and compliance support, we ensure your firm is protected against evolving threats while maintaining operational efficiency.

Don’t leave your clients’ data vulnerable to cyber threats. Contact Farmhouse Networking today to develop a customized cybersecurity plan that protects your firm’s integrity and builds trust with your clients. Let us help you focus on what you do best—managing finances—while we handle your IT needs!

How to Prepare for Windows 10 End of Life

As the end of support for Windows 10 approaches in about a year on October 14, 2025, it’s crucial for businesses to start preparing for the transition. This article will guide you through the essential steps to ensure a smooth and secure move to the next phase of your computing experience.

Understanding Windows 10 End of Life

Windows 10 End of Life (EOL) marks the point when Microsoft will cease providing updates, security patches, and technical support for the operating system. This event is significant because it leaves users vulnerable to security risks, compatibility issues with newer software and hardware, and non-compliant with standards like HIPAA, PCI, and CMMC.

Key Steps to Prepare

Assess Your Current Setup: Before making any changes, take stock of your current system:

Identify all devices running Windows 10
Check hardware specifications to make sure old computers are compatible
List essential software and applications

Evaluate Upgrade Options: Consider these alternatives:

Upgrading to Windows 11 for free (if your hardware supports it)
Purchasing new devices with the latest operating system to replace older ones

Plan for Software Compatibility: Ensure your critical applications will work post-transition:

Check compatibility with newer operating systems
Contact software vendors for upgrade options
Consider alternative software solutions if needed

Train Your Team: If you’re managing a business environment:

Educate employees about the upcoming changes
Provide training on new systems or procedures
Establish a support system for the transition period

Set a Timeline: Create a realistic schedule for your transition:

Set milestones for each phase of the preparation
Allow ample time for testing and troubleshooting
Plan for potential downtime during the switch

Financial Considerations: Budgeting for the transition is crucial:

Allocate funds for new hardware if needed
Account for potential software upgrade costs
Consider the long-term cost benefits of modernizing your IT infrastructure

Security Implications: Understand the risks of running an unsupported OS:

Increased vulnerability to malware and cyber attacks
Potential compliance issues for regulated industries
Lack of technical support for critical issues

Remember, a well-planned transition not only safeguards your system but also opens up opportunities for improved performance and productivity. Take the first step now: conduct an inventory of your Windows 10 devices and begin researching upgrade paths. Your future self will thank you for your foresight and preparation.

Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for Windows 10 End of Life. Start your transition plan today to ensure a secure and efficient computing environment for the future. Let Farmhouse Networking do the heavy lifting by assessing your needs, exploring your options, and taking proactive steps to protect your digital assets.

Website Filtering for Business: Strengthening Your Cybersecurity Defenses

Businesses are faced with an ever-growing number of cybersecurity threats. One effective method to protect your organization’s sensitive data and network is implementing website filtering. Website filtering solutions offer businesses an essential tool to manage and safeguard their networks, ensuring employees are protected from accessing malicious or inappropriate websites. We will explore the importance of website filtering for business cybersecurity and provide practical insights for implementation.

Understanding Website Filtering:

Website filtering is an advanced security measure that enables organizations to control the websites that can be accessed by their employees. This essential cybersecurity practice helps mitigate risks associated with malware, phishing attacks, and overall data breaches. Through the implementation of website filtering, businesses can proactively manage internet usage, reduce network congestion, and improve productivity.

Benefits of Website Filtering:

Enhanced Network Security:
By filtering out potentially harmful websites, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of malware infiltration, phishing attempts, and other cyber threats. Website filtering acts as a vital line of defense, preventing employees from inadvertently accessing websites hosting malicious content and safeguarding sensitive corporate data.
Regulatory Compliance:
As the healthcare industry is subject to strict compliance regulations, implementing website filtering can help organizations maintain adherence to industry-specific regulations such as HIPAA. By blocking access to unauthorized websites or content, businesses ensure they are aligning with compliance requirements, reducing the potential for fines or legal repercussions.
Increased Employee Productivity:
Unrestricted internet access often leads to time-wasting activities, reducing overall productivity within the organization. With website filtering, businesses can minimize distractions by blocking access to social media platforms, gaming websites, or other non-work-related sites, fostering a more focused work environment.
Bandwidth Optimization:
Streaming services and large media files can significantly impact network bandwidth, leading to slower connections and decreased productivity. Website filtering helps alleviate this strain by allowing organizations to control access to bandwidth-intensive websites or file-sharing platforms, optimizing network performance.

Choosing the Right Website Filtering Solution:

When selecting a website filtering solution, organizations should consider the following:

Granular Control:
Look for a solution that offers granular control, allowing you to tailor website filtering policies to specific departments or individual users. This flexibility ensures that employees only have access to relevant websites and content necessary for their job roles.
Real-Time Updates:
The cybersecurity landscape evolves rapidly, with new threats emerging constantly. Ensure your chosen website filtering solution offers AI powered real-time updates and threat intelligence to protect against the latest risks effectively.
User-Friendly Interface:
Implementing a user-friendly website filtering solution simplifies management. Look for a solution with an intuitive interface that enables easy configuration and monitoring of website filtering policies.

Potential Challenges and Mitigation Strategies:

While website filtering can provide numerous benefits, there are potential challenges to consider:

False Positives:
Overzealous website filtering policies can sometimes lead to legitimate websites being inaccurately blocked, causing frustration for employees. Regularly review and fine-tune filtering policies to minimize the risk of false positives, striking a balance between security and productivity.
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Environments:
There is an increasing reliance on personal devices to access corporate networks. Ensure that your website filtering solution extends to cover such devices and effectively enforces security policies, mitigating the risk of potential threats from unsecured devices.
Ongoing Maintenance and Monitoring:
Website filtering requires ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure optimal performance and adaptability to emerging threats. Assign dedicated IT staff or consider a managed service provider (MSP) like Farmhouse Networking to oversee the implementation, management, and updates of your website filtering solution.

Website filtering is a critical component of any business’s cybersecurity strategy, providing robust protection against web-based threats and enhancing network security. Farmhouse Networking provides website filtering service to all our monthly managed clients at no additional cost. Sign-up today to become cyber secure.

Avoiding Disaster: The Costly Consequences of Neglected IT Infrastructure

Has your business ever experienced a technology crisis that could have been easily prevented? Learn from the cautionary tale of a non-managed client who recently faced a major setback due to neglected IT infrastructure. This compelling story underscores the importance of proactive IT management and the need for robust backup solutions.

The Story: A Cautionary Tale

Neglected IT Infrastructure: After 5 years of radio silence, a panicked non-managed client reached out to us when their aging computer, hosting their crucial order processing system, malfunctioned.
DIY Mishap: Attempting to fix the issue themselves, the client inadvertently worsened the situation by installing the wrong part, leading to a cascade of problems.
Costly Consequences: The subsequent visit to a local repair shop and improper part replacement led to the corruption of critical files, including the Windows Operating System and the database containing vital client data.
Backup Oversight: The client’s failure to maintain updated database backups exacerbated the crisis, with the only available backup being approximately 5 years old.

The Solution: Managed IT Services

Proactive Maintenance: With managed IT services, critical components like the aged computer would have been promptly replaced before catastrophic failure, averting the entire crisis.
Remote Support: Swift remote intervention by a managed IT provider would have prevented the corruption of the operating system and database, substantially reducing the overall cost of the incident.
Comprehensive Backup Strategy: Every business should prioritize regular, imaged-based backups to safeguard their crucial data, ensuring seamless restoration in the event of a disaster.
Expert Guidance: Embracing managed IT services equips businesses with expert recommendations and proactive measures to avoid potentially devastating technology pitfalls.

Take the Right Step for Your Business!

Don’t let your business fall victim to preventable IT disasters. Embrace the proactive protection and expert guidance offered by a managed IT service provider to ensure uninterrupted business operations.

Our Pricing Explained

We have received numerous inquiries from potential customers regarding our pricing structure. Specifically, they want to know if we offer monthly contracts or if we charge an hourly rate. The answer is Yes.

Hourly Rate

For customers who require a one-time fix or need a project completed, we offer a service based on an hourly rate. Our rate for remote or on-site work that is not covered under a contract is $150 per hour. We bill in 15-minute increments and take pride in our efficiency. For clients with more than 2 service requests per month, we highly recommend signing up for a contract to save money and benefit from our expert oversight.

Monthly Contracts

There are three types of monthly contracts:

Remote Maintenance Contract

This is the package that most of our clients choose. It includes automated maintenance, cyber security protections, and unlimited remote support. Since most problems and questions can be handled remotely, this package offers real value.

Full Service Maintenance Contract

This package is for clients who want complete peace of mind. It includes all services, whether remote or at their offices. Additionally, it provides some additional benefits, such as top priority in our support queue.

Co-Managed IT Contract

This special package is designed for companies that already have a full-time IT employee or IT service companies in need of extra help. It provides them with the necessary automations and tools to make their jobs easier, allowing them to focus on what matters. This package also includes a discount on our remote and on-site services.

All contracts are based on a per-device model, taking into account the number of workstations, printers, servers, switches, etc. on the client’s network. We use this model because the other popular model, per user, is too vague and can easily hide excessive profit margins. Contracts can be month-to-month or a yearly commitment. The difference is that with a yearly commitment, you are protected from price increases for the entire year. We also offer many optional add-ons for our clients, such as Office 365, Employee Security Training, Penetration/Vulnerability Scanning, Mobile Device Management, Compliance, Secure Remote Access, and Security Operations Center.

Are you looking for reliable IT support that suits your business’s unique requirements? Look no further! Our flexible pricing options cater to businesses of all sizes. Whether you require one-time assistance or ongoing support, we have the right plan for you. Ready to take your business IT support to the next level? Contact us today to discuss your needs and find the perfect plan for your business.

When was the last time your IT providers talked to you about cybersecurity?

Cyber threats continue to evolve and become increasingly sophisticated, so the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of any company’s IT infrastructure, as it safeguards company / client data and ensures uninterrupted operations. However, one aspect that often gets overlooked is the proactive communication from IT providers about cybersecurity. This blog article aims to remind IT professionals and decision-makers of the significance of regular discussions with their IT providers regarding cybersecurity, and the potential risks they could be exposed to by neglecting this crucial dialogue.

Importance of Regular Cybersecurity Discussions:

Cybercriminals are continuously developing new attack vectors and exploring vulnerabilities in software, networks, and devices. Cybersecurity is not a one-time fix; it requires ongoing monitoring, updating, and adaptations to counter new threats.

Unfortunately, many organizations assume that by employing an IT provider to manage their systems, they are automatically protected against cyber threats. However, this assumption can lead to complacency, leaving vulnerabilities unaddressed. Regular conversations with your IT provider regarding cybersecurity ensure that your organization is consistently assessing and improving its defense against threats.

Addressing Emerging Threats:

Cybercriminals are constantly adapting their tactics, making it essential for IT providers to stay ahead by implementing proactive security measures. By engaging in frequent discussions, your IT provider can inform you about emerging threats and share strategies to mitigate risk. These discussions should cover topics such as:

Vulnerability Scanning / Penetration Testing: Testing your IT infrastructure to find the weak points is crucial to minimizing the available attack surface for a hacker and decreasing the impact of a breach. Reviewing these findings with your IT provider quarterly is vital to keeping your network safe.

Threat Detection: Standard antivirus software is no longer good enough to stop hackers. Talking with your IT provider about advanced threat detection software to make sure that both local and cloud resources are sufficiently protected from all kinds of attacks.

Patch Management: Ensuring that all software and systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches is crucial. Regular communication will allow your IT provider to inform you about critical patches or upgrades and discuss their implementation to keep your systems secure.

Employee Training: Cybersecurity is a collective effort, and employees play a vital role in maintaining a strong defense. Regular discussions about employee training will ensure that everyone in the organization is aware of best practices, such as identifying phishing emails or avoiding suspicious websites.

Data Backup and Recovery: Regular conversations with your IT company can help you establish and review comprehensive data backup and recovery strategies, minimizing the impact of potential cybersecurity incidents.

Incident Response Planning: In the unfortunate event of a cybersecurity incident, having a well-defined incident response plan is crucial. Meet with your IT provider at least annually to ensure that your plan is up to date, reflecting any changes in your IT infrastructure or evolving threat landscape.

When it comes to cybersecurity, communication is key. If your IT provider has not talked to you recently about cybersecurity, then it is time to call Farmhouse Networking. We are huge on communication and meet regularly with our clients to discuss 42 different IT related categories.

Compliance Requires Penetration Testing

Compliance is and always has been a complicated matter. Here are the quotes from the three types of compliance – CMMC, HIPAA, and PCI:

“CMMC – Risk Assessment L2-3.11.2 – VULNERABILITY SCAN: Scan for vulnerabilities in organizational systems and applications periodically and when new vulnerabilities affecting those systems and applications are identified.”

“HIPAA – § 164.308 Administrative safeguards. (a)(1)(ii)(A) – Risk analysis (Required). Conduct an accurate and thorough assessment of the potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information held by the covered entity or business associate.”

“PCI – 11.3: External and internal vulnerabilities are regularly identified, prioritized, and addressed”

To summarize what this all mean – compliance requires penetration testing and vulnerability scanning. Networks have to be tested regularly to make sure that there has been nothing missed which would allow a hacker to breach the network and steal the treasure of information. Our recommendation is to scan at least quarterly, if not monthly, to find these vulnerabilities and address them before the hackers find them.

If your company has compliance requirements that you need consulting for, then contact us for assistance.

Zero Trust – Cyber Security Audit

This is the tenth and finale in a series about the concept of Zero Trust, which means in the IT sense that you trust nothing and always verify everything surrounding and connected to your network. Today’s discussion will be on Cyber Security Audit.

Cyber Security Audit

Cyber Security Audit is a process where both internal and external systems are tested for their ability and susceptibility to being successfully attacked by hackers. This usually involves an inventory of current systems, research into known vulnerabilities, and testing of those found to see what information can be accessed. Once this process is complete a report is generated to detail both what is found and how those vulnerabilities can be addressed to protect the business’ most valuable commodity – information (intellectual property and client data). Here are some questions to ask:

Do you have an inventory of all assets in your organization? Is it up to date?
Have you tested your internal network for vulnerabilities?
Have you had a penetration test performed on your external network?
Do you know what compliance standards apply?
How do you document policies and procedures? Who oversees that?

If your company is wanting to have a free cyber security audit, then contact us for assistance.

Zero Trust – Software Patching

This is the seventh in a series about the concept of Zero Trust, which means in the IT sense that you trust nothing and always verify everything surrounding and connected to your network. Today’s discussion will be on software patching.

Software Patching

Software patching is a neccesity because no person who writes code is perfect and hackers are actively looking for these mistakes. The hackers find the mistakes and then develop ways of using these to exploit the software, computer, or whatever else they can gain access to. The only way to combat both the mistakes and the exploits is to discover them before the hackers do and patch the hole in the software. This patch can however lead to unforseen consequences to the software, so a plan for testing and deployment of patches is needed to avoid unexpected downtime to businesses.Here are some questions to ask:

Do you know all of the hardware and software on your network?
Do you check for hardware, operating system, and other software regularly?
How do you check for updates, patches, or upgrades to software?
How do you install these patches? Is it automated?
Are these patches tested before installation?
What happens if a patch causes problems?
Do you have a log of all installed updates?
Are any systems or software on your network no longer supported for updates?

If your company is going to use full disk encryption or has compliance requirements that you need consulting for, then contact us for assistance.

Never Negotiate with Terrorists

There has been a recent trend for companies to “negotiate” with the criminal terrorists behind wave of ransomware attacks across the world by paying the ransom. In a recent study some alarming statistics have been released:

Current Ransomware Stats

If Ransom is Paid: The global findings also show that only 8% of organizations manage to get back all of their data after paying a ransom, with 29% getting back no more than half of their data.

Cost of Ransom: The average ransom paid was $170,404. While $3.2 million was the highest payment out of those surveyed, the most common payment was $10,000. Ten organizations paid ransoms of $1 million or more.

Who is Paying the Ransom: The number of organizations that paid the ransom increased from 26% in 2020 to 32% in 2021.

The Brighter Side: While the number of organizations that experienced a ransomware attack fell from 51% of respondents surveyed in 2020 to 37% in 2021, and fewer organizations suffered data encryption as the result of a significant attack (54% in 2021 compared to 73% in 2020).

What is Being Done

There are now organizations trying to create a common framework to address this threat. The Institute for Security and Technology has created a Ransomware Task Force. This task force has been working to develop this framework and has published some guidance. Even though this is just the foundation work, it is good to see that efforts are being made.

If your company is worried about the threat of ransomware, then contact us for assistance setting up a multiple layer approach to security.