| Your feedback is important to us. Click here to email us your feedback. |
| InfoTech Update |
| May 3, 2012 |
IT Roundtable will add to value of 2012 TECH+ Conference
Attendees of the 2012 Practitioners Symposium and TECH+ Conference shouldn't miss out on the IT Roundtable on June 10. The preconference session allows practitioners to discuss technology topics with experts in an informal setting. It's the conference's best-kept secret, writes James Bourke, CPA/CITP/CFF. Register for the Practitioners Symposium and TECH+ Conference, scheduled June 11 to 13 in Las Vegas. CPA Insider (4/23)
Report: Hackers become more aggressive as vulnerabilities decrease
Cybercriminals are finding fewer weaknesses to exploit in software and networks, but they've compensated by launching more frequent attacks and by going after old vulnerabilities that have yet to be patched, Hewlett-Packard reports. According to HP's Top Cyber Security Risks Report for 2011, hackers launched 11% more attacks than in the year before, and while the overall number of unpatched vulnerabilities has decreased, analysts have discovered a higher proportion of "high-severity" weaknesses that are remotely exploitable and pose a more serious risk. eSecurityPlanet.com (4/19)
Why Apple needs to offer an iPad that converts into a laptop
Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company has no plans to make a hybrid laptop tablet, but an iPad that converts into a laptop might be inevitable, writes Paul McDougall. Business customers might demand such a device, boosting Apple's sales and thwarting products by Microsoft and its partners, McDougall writes. InformationWeek (4/27)
CITP credential helps CPAs navigate mobile-tech issues
CPAs will be able to deliver better service to clients if they adopt mobile technology such as smartphones and tablets. Before they do so, however, they must implement security policies to protect against data breaches and other risks. A CPA who holds the Certified Information Technology Professional credential is well suited to navigate these issues and help companies make the most of such devices. Access the 2012 Top Technology Initiatives white paper and the 2012 Top Technology Initiatives Master Toolkit to learn more about top technology priorities and concerns. AICPA Insights (4/23)
Other News
AICPA chairman: Opportunity for CPAs reporting on controls at service organizations
In his latest AICPA Insights blog post, AICPA Chairman Gregory Anton, CPA, CGMA, talks about a true marketplace-driven opportunity for the CPA profession. The AICPA is initiating a comprehensive campaign to support CPAs as the premier choice for reporting on a service organization's controls and to mark the AICPA's guidance as the gold standard for such services. Increased use of outsourcing and cloud computing has led to a greater need for examination of these controls. Get access to guides, webcasts and other SOC resources at AICPA.org. AICPA Insights (4/18)
Moore's Law is no longer a savior in IT spending
Moore's Law -- the number of transistors that can be placed on an integrated circuit doubles every two years, thereby lowering costs -- is being overwhelmed by burgeoning demand for computing power. Financial firms, in the midst of Big Data, are about to get hit by surging information technology costs. Wall Street & Technology (4/13)
Other News
Questions you should ask before moving to the cloud
Audrey Katcher, CPA/CITP, and Steve Ursillo, CPA/CITP, offer a list of key questions to ask before adopting cloud computing. For example, what functions will you move to the cloud and why? And what can you do if providers fail to offer adequate services? CPA Insider (4/23)
Educate employees to improve mobile security
Financial-services firms are facing added security risks as employees increasingly depend on mobile technology to work. Important safeguards include monitoring the use of applications to ensure mobile devices do not pose a risk to internal servers. Employees should be instructed not to remove security features by "jailbreaking" or "rooting" devices. Wall Street & Technology (4/5)
Balance is key to financial-data security
Protecting financial data depends on achieving a practical balance between ease of access and the strength of security measures. The threat of security breaches by insiders presents the biggest challenge for most companies. Strong human resources practices and technological innovation are necessary to secure sensitive data. Wall Street & Technology (4/4)
Other News
House passes DATA Act in voice vote
The House passed in a voice vote the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act. The legislation calls for federal agencies to report spending using nonproprietary standards, such as eXtensible Business Reporting Language. The DATA Act would also establish standards for electronic publishing of federal spending. The AICPA has advocated for this legislation to enhance transparency since introduction. Read a statement from AICPA President and CEO Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA. Federal Computer Week (4/25)
House passes cybersecurity legislation
The House approved legislation that would make it easier for firms to share cyberthreat information with the government, despite a veto threat from the Obama administration. Lawmakers approved the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act after making several tweaks intended to limit the way the government can use such information. For information and best practices on cybersecurity, visit AICPA.org. The Hill/Floor Action Blog (4/26)
Member resource: White paper on data management
Data management plays a significant role in an organization's ability to generate revenue, control costs and mitigate risks. White paper, "An Overview of Data Management" was released to help accountants understand the potential value of data management and governance to their organization and the critical role accountants can play to ensure such initiatives succeed.
Download the Quick Reference Guide to SOC Reporting Matters for free
Created by the AICPA Service Organization Control Reporting Task Force and the AICPA Information Technology interest area, the Quick Reference Guide to Service Organization Control Reporting Matters is geared specifically to allow service auditors to better inform service organizations and user entities of possible reporting choices. Designed as a marketing and communication tool to build your practice, this guide acts as a take-away you can provide to clients as a ready reference to service-organization reporting controls. IT Section members can access the digital version for free. IT Section members receive a 10% discount on the print version.
Deadline to apply for CITP exam with existing credential requirements is May 25
Beginning in July, the CITP exam will be required to attain the CITP credential. The deadline to apply while leveraging existing credential requirements is May 25. Find out whether you already qualify and apply for the CITP credential! Visit AICPA.org/CITP to learn more about eligibility requirements.
Upcoming educational opportunities
AICPA Practitioners Symposium and TECH+ Conference with the Association for Accounting Marketing Summit: June 11 to 13 in Las Vegas
AICPA IT Audit Training School: How to Identify and Manage IT Risk in Assurance Services: June 25 to 28 in Columbia, Md.
AICPA IT Advanced Audit Training School: How to Perform Tests of IT Controls in Assurance Services: July 30 to Aug. 1 in Atlanta
Service Organization Controls School: Conducting Successful Engagements: June 27 to 29 in Atlanta or July 30 to Aug. 1 in Chicago
|
--Mae West, |
Email: aicpait@smartbrief.com
Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004
Legal and Privacy information at
http://www.smartbrief.com/legal.jsp
Unsubscribe
Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before."