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Government's cyber security training helps SMEs make most of online accounting [Emirates News Agency (WAM) (United Arab Emirates)]
[November 01, 2014]

Government's cyber security training helps SMEs make most of online accounting [Emirates News Agency (WAM) (United Arab Emirates)]


(Emirates News Agency (WAM) (United Arab Emirates) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) In today's digital age, online security threats are one of the biggest concerns – especially for small businesses and SMEs. Just last year, George Quigley – a BDO partner and chairman of the IT faculty technical committee – commented on how there had been a 15% increase in the number of cyber security breaches targeted at this group with the risks posed to those with small businesses clear for all to see.



Quigley claimed that "the problem is exacerbated by the fact that many SMEs don't even know where to start when it comes to cyber security" and this is a theme that has been continued well into 2014. In fact, Edward Snowden highlighted the need for professionals from all walks of life – from accountants and lawyers to journalists, doctors and even priests – to upgrade their digital security in an interview with The Guardian just this July.

It seems the UK Government agrees, as a new online training course has been launched aimed at helping lawyers and accountants to protect themselves and their clients from hacking, phishing and other cyber attacks.


The accountancy and law sectors can be particularly vulnerable to cyber-crime as both deal with extremely sensitive information but are often ill-equipped to address the ever-evolving tactics criminals use to access or damage this data.

Alan Woodward, an adviser for Europol and visiting professor with Surrey University's Computing Department, told security experts' SC Magazine: "The sort of information these professions hold is extremely sensitive and they are not necessarily aware of the steps they need to take. A lot of them are relatively small businesses and so have fairly basic IT and often don't have inhouse IT skills, so I think this is an excellent step to protect us all really." Speaking at the launch of the scheme, digital economy minister Ed Vaizey added: "Members of the legal and accountancy professions can be a target for cyber attacks. It's essential government and industry work together to protect UK companies from online attacks that can cause millions of pounds worth of damage." If your business sits within the law and accountancy sectors and employs professional accountants the new course might provide some extra peace of mind.

Many SMEs, across all sectors, prefer to do their own accounting in-house; to save money or simply because they prefer to be in control of this aspect of the business.

If you do run your own online accounting, secure software is essential for data protection. Online accounting software suppliers, such as Sage One, can provide tailored systems with inbuilt security features. These features include data encryption (identified by Edward Snowden as an essential element of cyber-security), an Extended Value Certificate to prove that you're connected to servers owned by the relevant company, secure data storage environments and a user audit trail which allows the provider to keep track of exactly who has done what to data and when.

The government has also launched an e-learning course aimed at all SMEs. This 'Responsible For Information' course is available for free at The National Archives on the GOV.UK website Clem Brohier, Director of Finance and SIRO at The National Archives said: "The information private sector holds is extremely important to the economic development of the UK, this information must be protected, managed and used effectively in order to promote the UK as a global leader in effective information management.

"This free course will help give the SME community the tools they need to make the most of what they have." (c) 2014 Emirates News Agency (WAM) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

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