Get the free 10-Point IT Security Checklist built specifically for Colorado law firms and accounting practices. Know your gaps before a breach does.
Law firms and accounting practices handle sensitive client data every day — making them high-value targets for ransomware and data theft.
Client attorney privilege, case files, and wire transfer instructions are prime ransomware targets. One breach can end a firm. This checklist covers the 10 controls that matter most.
Tax data, bank accounts, and PII make you a target 365 days a year — not just in April. These 10 checks address the most common attack vectors auditors see in financial practices.
SEC and FINRA require documented security controls. This checklist doubles as a compliance starting point and a real-world risk gauge.
Any firm that handles confidential client data — consultants, architects, engineers — benefits from these foundational security controls.
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10 critical controls — evaluate your firm in under 2 minutes
MFA enabled on email, VPN, practice management software, and any system with client data. Single-factor login is the #1 ransomware entry point for professional services firms.
Next-gen endpoint detection and response (EDR) deployed on every laptop, desktop, and server — including remote workers. Legacy antivirus alone won't stop modern ransomware.
Sensitive client documents, tax data, and legal materials sent via encrypted email (e.g., ProtonMail, Virtru, or Microsoft 365 encryption). Plain email is like sending a postcard.
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10-Point IT Security Checklist — Colorado Professional Services Firms
MFA enabled on email, VPN, practice management software, and any system with client data. Single-factor login is the #1 ransomware entry point. Use Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, or hardware keys (YubiKey) for strongest protection.
Next-gen EDR deployed on every device including remote workers' laptops. Legacy antivirus alone won't stop modern ransomware. Recommended: CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne, or Microsoft Defender for Business with EDR enabled.
Sensitive client documents sent via encrypted email. Unencrypted email can be intercepted and is often insufficient for attorney-client privilege and CPA client confidentiality. Enable Microsoft 365 Message Encryption or use a dedicated solution like Virtru.
Backups exist AND are tested quarterly by actually restoring a file or system. Untested backups fail 58% of the time when you actually need them. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 media types, 1 offsite/cloud. Test restoration — not just backup success.
All staff completed security awareness training in the last 12 months with simulated phishing tests. Phishing causes 90%+ of initial access in professional services breaches. Use KnowBe4 or Proofpoint Security Awareness — run simulations quarterly.
Staff only access systems and data they need for their specific role. Overprivileged accounts are ransomware's best friend — once an account is compromised, attackers reach everything it can touch. Audit access levels every 6 months and immediately upon staff departure.
Operating system and software updates applied within 30 days of release. Critical patches applied within 72 hours. The majority of successful ransomware attacks exploit known vulnerabilities that had patches available. Enable automatic updates where possible; use RMM tools to enforce it everywhere else.
A written incident response plan exists that defines: who to call (IT, legal counsel, insurer, regulators), what to do in the first 4 hours of a breach, and who has authority to make decisions. Review and tabletop test annually. Colorado has mandatory breach notification laws — your plan must include notification timelines.
Third-party vendors with access to your systems or client data have been assessed for security practices in the last 12 months. Your firm is only as secure as your least-secure vendor. Request SOC 2 reports or complete a vendor security questionnaire for anyone with access to client data.
Written information security policies (WISP), acceptable use policies, and data retention policies are documented, current (reviewed in last 12 months), and accessible to staff. Colorado HB22-1119 and federal bar/CPA ethics rules require documented security measures. Without documentation, you can't prove compliance — even if you're doing everything right.
If you checked fewer than 8 of 10 items, your firm has exploitable gaps. Book a free 30-minute call — we'll walk through your specific risks and what it would take to close them.
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