Information security & privacy

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A Better Way to Gauge Profitability

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Return-on-equity (ROE) is the correct profit metric to evaluate the performance of a business. However, the primary emphasis on financial ratio analysis must be on operating performance. The “advanced” version of the DuPont model remedies the original model’s failure to cleanly separate the effects of operating and financing...

TOPICS / TECHNOLOGY

March 1, 2017

The armor of awareness

Defense from cyberattacks on a CPA firm’s fortress requires more than the IT cavalry.

March 1, 2017

Steven J. Ursillo Jr., CPA/CITP, CGMA

Education and effective governance are keys to an effective cybersecurity policy, according to Steven J. Ursillo Jr., CPA/CITP, CGMA.

February 1, 2017

Email security: Securing your Gmail account

The best measure you can take to secure your Gmail is to enable two-step verification.

November 1, 2016

New path for CPAs in cyber risk management

AICPA proposals would guide design and evaluation of cyber risk management.

October 31, 2016

How to be street smart when budgeting for security

These 5 tips will help organizations fit security spending into their budgets in a balanced way.

October 24, 2016

Don’t fall victim to the newest phishing scam

Scam perpetrators can mine crucial information from executives’ public profiles on social media.

October 1, 2016

Keeping clients’ tax data secure

Here’s how preparers can help thwart identity thieves.

September 19, 2016

New path proposed for CPAs in cyber risk management

Two proposals issued Monday would create guidance for management in designing and describing its cybersecurity risk management program.

August 1, 2016

Controlling your data

CPA firms can be a treasure-trove of information for cybercriminals. Here are tips on how to protect your firm.

August 1, 2016

Bolster your data defenses

These steps can help close holes in your cybersecurity setup.

July 25, 2016

The hidden costs of a data breach

Repairing damage from a cyberattack involves more than systems upgrades and password strength.

June 23, 2016

E-file PIN program shut down in response to cyberattacks

The IRS announced that the electronic filing personal identification number (e-file PIN) tool is “no longer available” after it detected additional attacks on the system.

June 8, 2016

IRS did not discover or help all Get Transcript data breach victims

The TIGTA criticized the IRS’s failure to identify and assist all taxpayers whose tax return and other data may have been accessed by cybercriminals in last year’s Get Transcript breach.

May 31, 2016

6 steps to shore up your technology defenses

Now is a good time to update critical controls and close backdoors that can increase your or your company’s exposure to potential cybersecurity attack damages.

May 15, 2016

Be vigilant about cybersecurity, warns former FBI agent

Chris Tarbell led FBI investigations that resulted in multiple high-profile cybercrime arrests. He shared his tips for cybersecurity during a presentation at the AICPA spring Council meeting.

April 25, 2016

How to prevent workers from wasting time on tech troubles

Many minutes, hours, and sometimes days can be wasted on IT-related issues, costing both time and money.

April 4, 2016

How clients can protect their tax data from hackers

Tax-related identity theft occurs when stolen Social Security numbers are used to file tax returns claiming fraudulent refunds.

April 1, 2016

Google Android apps: Shedding ‘flashlight’ on privacy concerns

How to uninstall the Brightest Flashlight app.

April 1, 2016

5 steps CPAs can take to fight hackers

See what CPAs can do to fight cybercriminals’ threat.

February 26, 2016

Still more accounts found hacked in IRS “Get Transcript” breach

A TIGTA investigation into the data breach first discovered last May brings the total number of taxpayers whose tax transcripts were potentially compromised to 724,000.