A Midyear Cybersecurity Checkup Every CPA Firm Should Complete

Think back to January.

Your accounting firm probably looked a little different than it does today.

Since then, you've likely:

  • Added new employees
  • Brought on new clients
  • Adopted new cloud applications
  • Expanded remote or hybrid work
  • Integrated new software
  • Partnered with additional vendors

Every one of those changes helped your firm grow.

But every change also created new cybersecurity, compliance, and operational risks that are easy to overlook.

The problem isn't that your firm changed.

The problem is that most accounting firms never stop to review the technology changes they've made along the way.

Here are six risks that commonly develop during the first half of the year—and what you should be asking before busy season arrives again.

1. Your Team Has Grown…But So Has Access to Sensitive Client Data

When a new employee joins your firm, they need access quickly.

Microsoft 365.

Tax software.

Document management systems.

Client portals.

Shared drives.

It's often faster to give broad access than to carefully assign only what's needed.

Unfortunately, those temporary permissions often become permanent.

Over time, employees accumulate access to financial records, payroll information, tax returns, and client files they no longer need.

Ask Yourself:

Do the right people have access to the right information—and nothing more?

Regular access reviews are one of the simplest ways to reduce cybersecurity risk and support compliance with regulations like the FTC Safeguards Rule.

2. Former Employees May Still Have Access

When someone leaves your accounting firm, everyone's attention is focused on transitioning clients and redistributing work.

Removing technology access often becomes an afterthought.

Old Microsoft 365 accounts...

Remote access credentials...

Cloud application logins...

Client portal permissions...

They sometimes remain active long after an employee leaves.

Former employee accounts remain one of the most overlooked cybersecurity risks for growing firms.

Ask Yourself:

Have all former employee accounts been disabled and removed from every business application?

3. New Software May Have Introduced New Security Risks

Accounting firms are constantly adopting new technology.

Maybe you've implemented:

  • Client portals
  • Workflow automation
  • CRM software
  • Electronic signature tools
  • AI-powered productivity applications
  • Cloud storage solutions

Each tool improves efficiency.

But every application also stores data, connects to other systems, and creates another potential cybersecurity entry point.

Ask Yourself:

  • Where is your client data stored?
  • Which applications connect to Microsoft 365?
  • Who has access to those platforms?
  • Are those vendors meeting your security expectations?

Convenience should never come at the expense of security.

4. You Have Backups…But Have You Tested Them?

Most accounting firms believe they're protected because backups exist.

Unfortunately, many discover otherwise during an emergency.

Backups should answer questions like:

  • Can we recover Microsoft 365 data?
  • How long would restoration take?
  • Have we tested recovery recently?
  • Are cloud applications included?
  • Could we recover after ransomware?

Having backups isn't enough.

Confidence comes from knowing they work.

Ask Yourself:

When was the last successful recovery test?

If you can't remember, it's time to schedule one.

5. Your Vendors May Have More Access Than You Realize

Every accounting firm relies on outside vendors.

Tax software providers.

Payroll platforms.

Cloud applications.

IT providers.

Consultants.

Every one of those relationships introduces some level of cybersecurity risk.

Many firms don't know:

  • Which vendors have access to their systems
  • What client information those vendors can view
  • How vendors secure that information
  • Whether inactive vendor accounts still exist

Ask Yourself:

Do you know exactly which vendors have access to your firm's data—and how they protect it?

Third-party risk is becoming one of the biggest concerns for accounting firms.

6. Small Technology Issues Have Become Bigger Problems

Every firm has an IT "we'll deal with it later" list.

Old user accounts.

Messy shared folders.

Security settings that haven't been reviewed.

Aging computers.

Microsoft 365 features nobody configured.

Minor issues don't seem urgent.

Until they are.

Six months of postponed maintenance can quietly create productivity problems, security vulnerabilities, and compliance gaps.

Ask Yourself:

What technology issues have been sitting on your to-do list since January?

If the list keeps growing, it's time to address it.

A Midyear Technology Review Can Prevent Expensive Problems Later

Most cybersecurity incidents don't happen because firms ignore security.

They happen because businesses evolve faster than their technology processes.

The firms that stay secure make time to periodically review:

  • User access
  • Security settings
  • Backup readiness
  • Vendor relationships
  • Compliance requirements
  • Technology planning

That proactive approach protects client data, reduces downtime, and gives firm leadership confidence that nothing important has been overlooked.

Schedule Your Free Midyear Technology Review

At CD Technology, we specialize in helping accounting firms throughout East Tennessee strengthen cybersecurity, improve compliance, and eliminate hidden technology risks.

During a free 10-minute discovery call, we'll help you identify:

✅ User access risks

✅ Microsoft 365 security gaps

✅ Backup and disaster recovery readiness

✅ Vendor security concerns

✅ Compliance vulnerabilities

✅ Technology priorities for the rest of the year

Make Sure Your Technology Is Ready for the Second Half of the Year

📞 Call 865-909-7606

🌐 Visit www.CDTechnology.com

The biggest technology risks usually aren't the obvious ones—they're the small changes that quietly add up over time.