Taking data security and privacy to the next level

Technology

In a time where everyone is more digitally connected than ever, it’s important to put in place methods of safeguarding data.

Promoted by Accountancy Insurance • 06 March 2023 • 4 minute read

At Accountancy Insurance, we take the security of our own data as well as the data of our clients very seriously. Within our security protocols we have established a set of policies, processes and controls designed to produce predictable information security outcomes.

These are just a few of the ways that we are working on taking data security and privacy to the next level:

Efficiency:

Accounting professionals often ask us, what are we doing to make their tax audit insurance renewal process more efficient. We understand that time is important to them and as a part of the program to continually improve the Audit Shield implementation and renewal process, we offer integration with specific accounting practice management software and the Audit Shield Online Portal (ASOP), including Xero Practice Manager.

When integrating Xero Practice Manager with ASOP, client data previously extracted manually every year, will now be available through secure digital channel i.e., API - making the Audit Shield implementation or renewal process much simpler. Following this process, the information remains encrypted using high information security standards recommended by government authorities including The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) in Australia, The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in New Zealand, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCA) in Canada and international bodies like International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Compliance:

Taking data security and privacy to the next level requires a shift in mindset, where security and privacy are viewed as core business priorities and not just an afterthought or a marketing pitch. We have taken this dedication to one step further whereby our management systems, processes, and global operations have been certified to ISO 27001, a designation that indicates compliance with a set of information security management (ISMS) best practises. This necessitates a thorough evaluation of ISMS, which includes ongoing risk assessments and the use of controls to lessen identified hazards.

The ISO 27001 certification proves our dedication and commitment to safeguarding client data, as well as our own data, and preserving the confidentiality, accuracy, and accessibility of that data. Read more about our ISO 27001 certification: https://www.accountancyinsurance.com.au/iso-27001

Convenience:

Within ASOP, we offer direct portal uploads. This means that the number of steps to integrate the data is streamlined and the accountant always stays in control of their client data.

Our partnering accounting firms can also securely upload any Audit Shield claims directly to ASOP.

Integrity and availability:

We are always working to be ahead of the curve in data security. ASOP has a strong authentication mechanism enabled (minimum two-step authentication and single sign-on), ensuring the data is only accessible to those authorised.

The platform is hosted in a secure sovereign cloud facility with the vendor – Amazon Web Services (AWS), which meets global and local compliance requirements. Our development teams strictly follow DevSecOps and the shift-left approach to identify any security issues early and at all stages of the software supply chain, from design to implementation.

ASOP platform has been developed using modern and secure technologies and based on industry-standard secure development/coding practices - OWASP Top 10 and SSDF (NIST).

Information security is at the heart of everything that Accountancy Insurance does. Now more than ever this is at the front of mind for accounting professionals and private individuals in general. In a time where everyone is more digitally connected than ever, it’s important to put in place methods of safeguarding data. That is why we will never stand still in seeking out the best solutions available for business intelligence, security, compliance, process, tools, and more.

Being serious about technology is one thing but we also know the importance of genuine, hands-on assistance to allow you to run and control your Audit Shield program as you prefer. That is why we continue to provide hands-on delivery to implement those technology solutions – year after year.

To find out more, contact the team at Accountancy Insurance.

T: 1300 650 758

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W: www.accountancyinsurance.com.au