IT & cybersecurity insights for professional services firms

Expert insights on cybersecurity, compliance, AI adoption, and managed IT — written for CPA firms, law practices, and financial services firms.

A financial advisor reviewing compliance documentation at a desk with a laptop and printed policy binders Compliance

How RIAs Should Document Their Cybersecurity Program for an SEC Examination

The SEC is asking RIAs to prove their cybersecurity program works - not just say so. Here's what examiners actually want to see from small firms.

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A CPA reviewing Microsoft 365 security settings on a laptop in a professional accounting office Cybersecurity

Microsoft 365 Security Settings Your CPA Firm Probably Has Wrong

Most CPA firms leave Microsoft 365 on default settings that expose client data. Here's what to fix - no dedicated IT team required.

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A financial advisor reviewing vendor security documentation on a laptop at a tidy desk with compliance folders in the background Compliance

How Boutique RIAs and Financial Advisors Should Think About Vendor Risk Management

Boutique RIAs are responsible for how client data is protected-even when a vendor holds it. Here's how to build a practical vendor risk management process.

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An accountant reviewing document retention schedules on a laptop next to organized file folders in a professional office setting Compliance

What Accounting Firms Should Actually Put in a Client Data Retention and Destruction Policy

Most CPA firms' data retention policies are outdated or missing entirely. Here's what a defensible, practical policy actually needs to cover.

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A financial advisor reviewing a vendor contract on a laptop, with a security checklist visible on a second monitor AI & Automation

How to Evaluate an AI Tool Before Your Financial Advisory Firm Starts Using It with Client Data

A practical checklist for financial advisors, CPAs, and attorneys to vet AI tools before client data ever touches them.

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A lawyer reviewing security settings on a laptop displaying the Microsoft 365 admin center dashboard Cybersecurity

The Microsoft 365 Settings Small Law Firms Forget to Lock Down After Setup

Microsoft 365 isn't secure out of the box. Here are the specific default settings small law firms must change to protect client data and meet bar obligations.

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A CPA reviewing email records on a laptop at a desk with tax documents and a coffee mug, representing email archiving compliance for accounting firms Compliance

The Email Archiving Requirements CPA Firms Keep Overlooking (And the IRS Notices That Follow)

AICPA, IRS, and state board rules each govern CPA email retention. Learn what's required, what's missing, and how to fix it before an audit.

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A lawyer reviewing a cybersecurity insurance policy document at a desk with a laptop showing a security alert Cybersecurity

Why Law Firms Are Still Getting Breached After Buying Cybersecurity Insurance

Cybersecurity insurance won't save your law firm if basic security controls are missing. Learn what policies cover, what they don't, and how to avoid claim denial.

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A professional reviewing access control settings on a laptop, with a departing employee's badge on the desk beside them Managed IT

When Your IT Person Leaves: How Boutique Financial Firms Protect Themselves from Insider Access Risks

When your IT person leaves, privileged access doesn't always go with them. Here's how small professional services firms close the gaps before something goes wrong.

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A CPA reviewing a vendor security checklist on a laptop next to printed cloud software contracts Compliance

A CPA Firm's Guide to Evaluating Cloud Accounting Software Vendors on Security

Before your CPA firm signs with a cloud accounting vendor, ask these security questions. A practical guide mapped to IRS Pub. 4557 and state data laws.

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A person entering a verification code on a smartphone while logging into a laptop, representing multi-factor authentication in a professional office setting Cybersecurity

What Multi-Factor Authentication Actually Protects Against - and What It Doesn't

MFA stops many attacks - but not all. Learn what multi-factor authentication actually protects against and what gaps your firm still needs to close.

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Attorney reviewing AI tool settings on a laptop with legal documents visible on the desk AI & Automation

How Law Firms Are Using AI Tools Without Realizing They're Violating Client Confidentiality

AI writing tools may expose privileged client data by default. Here's what law firms must know about data retention policies and AI acceptable-use rules.

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