Accounting
CPA Firm Cybersecurity in Montana
How a Montana accounting office strengthened client data protection before tax season and improved cyber insurance readiness.
Client details are anonymized to protect confidentiality while preserving the operational lessons.
Client
Anonymized Montana CPA firm
Timeline
45 days
Primary need
Accounting IT and security
Challenge
The firm handled tax records, payroll documents, and client financial data, but account access was inconsistent, backups were not being tested, and staff relied on email attachments for sensitive document exchange. Renewal questions from the cyber insurance carrier exposed gaps around MFA, endpoint security, and documented procedures.
What PBM implemented
- Enabled MFA across Microsoft 365 and reviewed every active user, shared mailbox, and dormant account.
- Deployed endpoint detection and response on workstations used for tax preparation and client bookkeeping.
- Improved secure file exchange so sensitive tax documents were not passed through ordinary email attachments.
- Implemented backup monitoring and restore testing with documentation the firm could provide during insurance renewal.
- Delivered staff phishing guidance focused on fake IRS notices, payroll change requests, and client impersonation.
Results
- Cyber insurance renewal evidence organized
- MFA enforced for all active users
- Sensitive file exchange improved
- Backup restore process documented
- Tax-season phishing risk reduced
- Clear owner assigned for account offboarding
Need similar support?
PBM helps Montana businesses reduce downtime, document cybersecurity controls, and recover faster when technology fails.