IT & Cybersecurity for Professional Services

Why professional services firms are targeted

Accounting firms, consultants, and marketing agencies hold extraordinarily valuable data — tax records, financial statements, strategic plans, and client personally identifiable information. Over 40% of cyberattacks target small businesses, and professional services firms are preferred targets precisely because of the sensitive data they hold and the trust clients place in them.

A breach doesn't just cost money — it destroys the client trust that took years to build. Within six weeks of a significant cyberattack, 60% of small businesses close permanently. aspect gives professional services firms the security infrastructure to stay in business and stay compliant.

Common pain points

• Ransomware targeting accounting and consulting firms during peak periods (tax season, quarter-end)
• Phishing attacks on staff with access to client financial accounts and portals
• Insufficient encryption across communication channels and stored documents
• Weak identity management — shared credentials, no MFA
• GLBA compliance gaps with no written information security plan
• No documented incident response — no plan for when something goes wrong

Endpoints & Data

• Managed workstations and laptops with EDR and encryption
• Patch and update management across all devices and software
• Encrypted backups of client files and business records
• Secure file sharing and document management controls
• Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace security hardening

Identity & Security

• Multi-factor authentication on all accounts and portals
• Email security and anti-phishing with impersonation protection
• Role-based access control — staff access only what they need
• 24/7 security monitoring and threat response
• Security awareness training for staff

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

The FTC Safeguards Rule under GLBA requires financial service providers — including accountants and tax preparers — to implement a written information security program covering risk assessments, access controls, encryption, and employee training. aspect helps you build and document a GLBA-compliant security program without the overhead of doing it alone.

Client Data Obligations

Beyond GLBA, professional services firms face growing state privacy law requirements and increasingly expect to demonstrate security maturity to enterprise clients. We provide the documentation, controls, and monitoring needed to show clients and regulators that their data is being handled responsibly.