Cloud Based Accounting: Is It Secure?

One of the most popular questions we get is about how safe accounting in the cloud is. We've all heard stories about how our banking information can be stolen online, which is very scary. That's why we encrypt all of your accounting files with SSL at the highest level and store them on our safe servers in SAS-certified facilities. But you can also take steps to make sure that your financial files in the cloud stay safe.

1. Before you view your accounting files, make sure you're using the latest version of your Web browser or smart phone software. Most of the time, if you're not using the latest version of Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari, you won't be able to log in to your files. But just in case, you should always make sure you're using the most up-to-date software, since it will have important security changes that make it harder for hackers to get into your files.

2. Always use a secure Internet link to get to your accounting files. On our end, we keep your info safe in the cloud. But none of our security measures will help if you view files over a network that isn't safe. With cloud-based accounting, you can check your financial statements and other records from anywhere with Internet access. However, you shouldn't view your Peachtree or QuickBooks files over an unsecured wireless network, like the one at your local coffee shop.

3. Take steps that make sense to protect your info. Use a strong password with a mix of letters and numbers that no one can figure out. When you log in to your cloud-based accounting program, make sure no one is watching you. Don't leave your computer on in a public place when you're not there. All of these simple steps can help keep your banking information safe in the cloud.

If you've ever bought something online, you trusted the SSL security that our cloud-based accounting system also uses. We do everything we can to keep your financial data and accounting records safe. If you do the same by taking common sense steps to protect and limit access to your account, you can be sure that cloud-based accounting is safe.

With cloud-based accounting, you can keep your data safe.

Your company's computer servers and hard drives, as well as all your financial information, are at risk when tornadoes and storms hit. Flooding can be caused by natural events, which can wipe out all of your computer systems. Even if you think your computer is safe from power surges because it has surge breakers, power surges can damage your hard drive and make your data unreadable. And strong winds can even bring down buildings and damage your hard drives or computers, making it impossible to get to your financial records and other data. It's true.

Best practices for data backup say that mission-critical data should have three copies, one of which should be off-site. This way, you or other allowed people can access it even if you can't get into your main offices, which could happen during a natural disaster.

But if you use accounting software in the cloud, you can be sure that your data is safe, no matter how you back it up. We still suggest that you back up at least one other copy of your financial accounting data, since no storage method is ever 100% safe. But cloud-based accounting software is the way to go if you want your data to be consistent and reliable, and you want to be able to view it 24/7 from any device with Internet access.

As we move into the worst time of year for flooding, hurricanes, and tornadoes, it may be time to look at your data backup tools and accounting software. While you're at it, take a close look at how you keep your books and do your budgeting. Are you getting the most out of your business with the right accounting tools and a reliable bookkeeper, CPA, or part-time financial controller?