Why your antivirus is the flip phone of security solutions

Let me throw a situation at you: 

It’s busy season, and you’re working late at the office, putting the finishing touches on some tax returns, when suddenly your screen freezes. A message pops up demanding Bitcoin in exchange for access to your files. 

Your stomach drops as you realize you’ve been hit with ransomware. How could this have happened? We use antivirus software! 

Unfortunately, basic antivirus isn’t going to cut it. 

Think it can’t happen to you? Think again. While basic antivirus software might work fine for your home computer, it’s like bringing a bucket of water to a raging fire when it comes to protecting your accounting firm. 

So, let’s talk about why basic antivirus protection isn’t enough anymore and walk through the advanced cybersecurity solutions your firm really needs. 

Consumer vs. enterprise: Not all security is created equal 

Remember when you were a kid and thought the blanket fort you built (surrounded by couch cushions, of course) was impenetrable? (Ahh, to have the imagination of a kid again.) That’s kind of like thinking that consumer-grade security products can fully protect your accounting firm. Sure, basic antivirus applications offer decent protection for personal use, but they’re not built for the big leagues of business security. And definitely not for the accounting profession as a whole. 

Think about it this way: Consumer-grade is like having a security guard who checks IDs at the front door. And that’s it. Enterprise-grade security solutions are like having a whole team of cyber-ninjas monitoring every entrance, exit and secret passage—while teaching your staff self-defense moves at the same time. 

Here’s what sets consumer-grade and enterprise-grade solutions apart. 

	Consumer-grade	Enterprise-grade
Deployment	Typically installed directly on devices.	Available as on-premises solutions (requiring servers) or cloud-based servers that eliminate infrastructure costs while offering scalability.
Scalability	Handles 30-50 devices, each running its own show.	Manages hundreds of devices from one central command center.
Support	Basic help desk support during business hours.	24/7 monitoring and support, because cybercriminals don’t clock out—ever.
Security	Often reactive with limited security features.	More advanced security options, like behavioral analysis, real-time threat hunting, vulnerability management, multifactor authentication (MFA) and integrations.
Threat intelligence	Relies on public threat databases for malware detection, which may not be updated as frequently.	Accesses private threat intelligence feeds maintained by dedicated research teams for fast identification and emerging threats.

Are you playing cybersecurity roulette? 

Let’s get real. Many firms stick with basic antivirus software because: 

• “We’re too small to be a target.” (Spoiler alert: You’re not.)
• “Our current security solution works fine.” (Until it doesn’t.)
• “Enterprise security costs too much.” (Have you priced out a data breach lately?) 

Cybercriminals are like those bullies on the playground who constantly pick on the smallest kid first—they actively target smaller firms because they know their security operations may not be up to snuff. And it only takes one successful ransomware attack to take down your entire firm, with little chance of recovery. 

Let’s compare popular cybersecurity solutions 

Is McAfee good virus protection for your personal laptop? Sure. Is Norton Antivirus good for keeping your home network safe? You bet. But your accounting firm isn’t a home network—it’s a professional business handling sensitive financial data, bank account details and personal information for hundreds of clients. So, let’s review the differences between basic and advanced cybersecurity solutions and how they stack up against each other.* 

	Norton Antivirus	McAfee+ Advanced	Microsoft Defender	Verito	Rightworks Total Security
Consumer vs. enterprise	Consumer	Consumer	Consumer	Enterprise	Enterprise
Managed internally or externally	Internal	Internal	Internal	External	External
Pricing structure	Annual	Annual	Annual/user	Monthly/user  and  Annual/device	Monthly/user  (devices included)
# of devices	Up to 20	Unlimited	Up to 5/user	Unlimited	Unlimited
Antivirus protection	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Security awareness training	❌	❌	✔	✔1	✔
24/7/365 monitoring	✔	❌	✔	✔	✔
90-day rolling backups	❌	❌	❌	❌	✔
Password manager	✔	✔	❌	❌	✔
Advanced threat protection (EDR, intrusion detection)	❌	❌	✔	✔	✔
VPN	✔	✔	❌	❌	✔
Drive encryption	❌	❌	✔2	❌	✔
Phishing simulations	❌	❌	✔	❌	✔
Onboarding and support	✔3	✔	✔	✔4	✔
20+ years tax and accounting experience	❌	❌	❌	❌	✔
Scalable for firms of all sizes	❌	❌	❌	❌	✔
Scaled to manage applications internally	❌	❌	❌	❌	✔
Full WISP completion	❌	❌	❌	❌	✔
Preferred partners to Drake, Intuit, Wolters Kluwer	❌	❌	❌	❌	✔

Why you need to batten down your security hatches

Think of advanced cybersecurity solutions as your firm’s digital bodyguard entourage. They don’t just stand at the door checking IDs; they’re actively patrolling, monitoring security cameras, training your staff and keeping an eye on every potential threat. Still not sure your firm needs enterprise-grade solutions? Here are three reasons you do:

1. Proactive protection. Instead of waiting for threats to appear (ahem, reactive), enterprise solutions hunt them down. They use AI and machine learning to detect and respond to suspicious activities before they become problems. It’s like having a security team that spots the shoplifter before they even enter the store.
2. Employee security awareness training. Let’s face it: Someone clicking on a malicious link is often a bigger threat than any sophisticated hacker. Enterprise solutions include training to help your team spot—and avoid—cyberthreats. They’re your first human line of defense, after all.
3. Backup that actually works. Consumer solutions may back up your files, but enterprise-grade backup ensures your entire business can be up and running quickly after an incident.
4. Automated and managed protection. Enterprise solutions include automated updates and patch management, 24/7 managed monitoring by security experts, automated threat response, regular security assessments and managed compliance reporting.

Still unsure which is best? This quiz should help.

Answer the questions in this quiz to determine whether consumer- or enterprise-grade solutions are best for your firm.

—

If quizzes aren’t your thing, here are several red flags that scream, “Help! I need better security!”

• You handle tax returns.
• Any member of your team works remotely.
• You need to meet specific regulations.
• You don’t have a dedicated IT security team.
• You’re growing faster than your security can keep up.
• You’ve had some close calls—or actual incidents—with security.
• Your clients are asking about your security measures.

Security needs to grow with your firm

“You get what you pay for” exists for a reason. What may have worked for you when you first started out won’t cut it now that you’re handling multiple clients and sensitive data. And advanced cybersecurity solutions aren’t just another expense, either. They’re an investment in your firm’s future. They protect your clients’ data, your reputation and your peace of mind. Because, let’s be honest, you’ve got enough to worry about during tax season without adding “potential data breach” to the list.

Ready to strengthen your firm’s security? Talk to one of our experts today.

To get more educational blogs about security (and a load of other topics!) delivered to your inbox, subscribe to our blog below. ⬇️⬇️⬇️