IT Briefs: Security Tops AICPA Top Ten Tech List

Each year the American Institute of CPAs takes a survey of the “Top Technologies”. From the survey results, the task force lists the 10 areas most likely to have an impact on business in the coming year.

"It should come as no surprise that Information Security is the top issue," said Roman Kepczyk, chairman of the AICPA Information Technology Executive Committee and chair of the Top Technologies Task Force. "Information Security always makes a significant showing on the list. We can expect it to be a major issue for the foreseeable future."

Security being the number one concern is no surprise to our information technology department. Firewall installation, configuration, and training, was of significant interest to our clients during 2002. It replaced disaster recovery from our 2001 list, which was spurred by the September 11 attacks.

The 2003 top ten list has six new entries including business information management, wireless technologies, and privacy. We were a little surprised that privacy did not rank higher on the list. With the proliferation of spam advertising, spyware and identity theft, users privacy is under attack now more than ever.  Look for this issue to move up the list next year.

Another major move was Web services moving from eighth place to fourth. We see clients more comfortable with the idea of application service providers over the web. The main reason is the availability of fast, reliable and less expensive Internet access that did not previously exist.

Here is the complete top ten list for 2003:

1.   Information Security: Tools and processes that protect an organization's information systems from internal and external threats, such as firewalls, anti-virus software, and Internet-protocol strategy.

2.   Business Information Management: The process of capturing, indexing, storing, retrieving, searching, and managing documents electronically, including knowledge and database management (XML, PDF and other formats).

3.   Application Integration: The ability of different operating systems, applications, and databases to "talk" to each other and for information to flow freely regardless of application, language, or platform.

4.   Web Services: These include Java applications, Microsoft's .Net initiative, and today's Application Service Providers (ASP) and business portals.

5.   Disaster Recovery Planning: The process by which organizations plan for continuity of their business in the event of a loss of business information resources due to theft, virus infestation, weather damage, accidents, or other malicious destruction.

6.   Wireless Technologies.

7.   Intrusion Detection: Software or hardware that list and track all login attempts on a network such as Tripwire.

8.   Remote Connectivity: Technology that allows a user to connect to a computer from a distant location outside of the office.

9.   Customer Relationship Management: Software that manages Call Center Technologies, E-commerce, Data Warehousing, and all other technologies used to facilitate communications with customers and prospects.

10.  Privacy.

The key to maximizing the use of any of these technologies is a sound implementation.   Without the proper plan, many companies may find the adaptation of an IT project to be a struggle.  In addition, it’s imperative to clearly define the goals and budgets for a project before it’s commencement.  Finally, security is number one on the list for a good reason.  Regardless of the project, security should always be a core component of any initiative. Security concerns should be addressed from the very beginning and all decisions about the scope and nature of the project need to be made in the context of what vulnerabilities exist.   Your company has a responsibility to it’s clients, customers, vendors, and employees to protect the valuable information that your business generates.  

We will be happy to meet with you to discuss your technology needs and planning at no charge.  Please contact Mike Breier or Geoff Beltzhoover for an appointment. 

Mike Breier and Geoff Beltzhoover are consultants with the CPA firm of Shepard, Schwartz & Harris LLP. SS&H is a CPA firm that provides auditing, tax and consulting services in a variety of areas including Information Technology, Business Valuation and Litigation Support. Visit our Website at ssh-cpa.com for more information or contact Mike Breier at (312) 726-8353 or mikeb@ssh-cpa.com. A printable copy of this article appears at ssh-cpa.com, just click on IT Briefs.