<div> 
<strong>The Key Cyber Threats Factors & Solutions to Avoid Them</strong>
<ul>
<li> 
<strong>1. Human Error </strong>
<p>
Human error, a leading cause of accounting mistakes, is also ranked as the top cybersecurity threat. As per Kaspersky's study, 90 percent of data breach cases are attributed to this factor. Having sensitive data on personal devices (due to BYOD- Bring your own device culture) puts financial firms at higher risk. 
</p>
<strong>What is the Solution?</strong>
<p>Form strict guidelines for limiting the use of personal devices while handling accounts and client's sensitive data</p>
</li>

<li>
<strong> Phishing </strong>
<p>
Phishing emails manipulate the user to click on the attachment or link attached with malware or a virus. It takes only one successful attempt by hackers to access your firm's data. In other words, they only trick one of your employees and have access instantly. Phishing attacks may come in the form 
of a notice from a non-profit, a credit card alert, a shipment delay, and others. Cybercriminals use modern ways to legitimize their email. They might make references to places, things, and people in your life. For example, if you receive an email from the store you've recently shopped at, mentioning promotional deals on the items you are likely to buy, you would likely open the email. 
</p>

<strong>What is the Solution?</strong>
<p>
Have proper securities against phishing emails and train your personnel to form a security-first culture. Use anti- phishing tools that notify the personnel for any email that seems potentially infected. 
</p>
</li>


<li>
<strong>3. Malware </strong>
<p>
Malware is injected by a phishing email link or attachment to an infected web page. You will be surprised to know that malware can stay dormant for several weeks or even months before it's stimulated to take over the system or steal information or take over systems. 
</p>
<strong>What is the Solution? 
</strong>
<p>
Have malware specific security protocols in place to alert your IT personnel when any request comes via email. Managed Service providers have an alert system in place that notifies the systems engineers about any potentially fraudulent email. 
Conclusion & Recommendations 
As per October 13 story published in CNBC, cyber- attacks cost small-scale accounting firms $200,000, on average, while 60 percent of the businesses becoming the victim of cyber-attack, go out of the market within the next 6 months. To lessen the risk of cyberattacks, accounting firms must determine when cybercrime is happening by raising their awareness and understanding of the cybercrime mechanisms and tech tools to prevent those.
Training and education is the starting point towards the cyberattack-free environment in accounting firms.  
</p>
<li>


</ul>


</div>


