Real Challenges Mini-Series #4: Cybersecurity Gap Assessments for a CPA Firm

We're continuing our mini-series on real world cybersecurity and IT challenges. This week, we highlight the unknown gaps a CPA firm had in their environment and how came alongside to find and mitigate them.

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How a CPA Firm Reduced Risk With a Focused, Practical Roadmap

Not every organization comes to us in crisis. Some are doing “most things right” — but still want confidence that nothing important is being missed.

That was the case for a CPA firm we supported. Their basic IT needs were covered, but leadership wanted an outside view of their security posture and a clear, prioritized list of improvements.

The Problem: Are We Doing Enough?

The firm had a solid foundation, but a few open questions lingered:

• Were their current security practices good enough for the risk they carried?

• Which improvements would actually reduce risk versus just add complexity?

• How could changes be implemented without disrupting staff productivity?

They weren’t looking for a full overhaul, just a smart, actionable way forward.

The Process: Virtual Working Session

We began with a virtual working session.

During that meeting, the firm walked us through:

• Their technology stack

• How staff handled client documents

• Existing security practices

• Their goals and overall risk tolerance

The Solution: A Clear Roadmap

From there, we developed a 10-week action plan focused on practical, high-value improvements.

The plan included:

• Reviewing and hardening their Google Workspace environment

• Evaluating staff document handling and sharing practices

• Enabling 2-step verification for all staff accounts

• Training staff on built-in Google tools like Shared Drives and mailbox delegation

• Reviewing mobile device management, data loss prevention, and additional email filtering

The goal was clarity, not complexity.

Client Response: Appreciation

The response was immediate appreciation.

Leadership valued having:

• A clear, prioritized action list

• A defined timeline for improvements

• Guidance on what mattered most and what could wait

Rather than guessing, they had a plan they could follow with confidence.

Regular Review Gives Peace of Mind

The firm was especially grateful for:

• Monthly and quarterly “reminder” plans to revisit key security areas

• A framework to continue reducing risk over time, not just once

With a repeatable cadence in place, security became an ongoing process, not a one-time project.

Learn More

Sometimes the biggest improvement comes from a second set of eyes.

If your firm wants a clear, practical roadmap to reduce risk, without over-engineering your environment, we’re happy to help. Schedule a conversation today.