Working Virtually: Protect Tax Data At Home And At Work

With cyberthieves active during COVID-19, the Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners today urged tax professionals to review critical security steps to ensure they are fully protecting client data whether working in the office or a remote location.

Many tax professionals have expanded telework options this year as firms, like other businesses, work to keep personnel safe, practice recommended safety guidelines and use technology to virtually serve their clients.

During this period, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have urged organizations to maintain a heightened state of alert as cybercriminals seek to exploit Covid-19 concerns.

To assist tax professionals with the security basics, the IRS, state tax agencies and nation’s tax industry are launching a five-part series called Working Virtually: Protecting Tax Data at Home and at Work. The special series is designed to help practitioners assess their home and office data security. The first recommendation today covers the “Security Six” – basic steps that should be taken for every work location. The series will continue each Tuesday through August 18.

“The Security Summit partners urge tax professionals to take time this summer to give their data safeguards a thorough review and ensure that these protections are in place whether they work from home or the office,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig.
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