Ensure IRS and FTC compliance

Safeguard taxpayer data and protect your tax practice1

Services provided by Watch Cloud Cyber Security

Activate our all-in-one cybersecurity solution

Get everything you need to comply with IRS Publication 4557 & FTC Safeguards Rule

Managed detection and remediation

Managed Detection & Remediation

The Managed Detection & Remediation (MDR) cybersecurity service identifies and addresses potential cyber threats in real-time to safeguard financial systems and data.

Recovery plan

Recovery plan

Detailed strategy outlining systematic steps for finance professionals to restore and resume critical operations and data access after a cybersecurity incident, minimizing downtime and mitigating financial losses.

WISP

WISP

The Written Information Security Plan (WISP) outlines specific measures and protocols designed to protect financial data and systems, ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability while mitigating potential cyber threats.

Cloud computing

Backup software

Secure digital solution automatically copies and stores essential financial data and documents, providing a reliable way to recover information in case of data loss or system failure.

Cyber education

Cyber education

Training and awareness about digital risks and best practices, empowering you to make informed decisions and take proactive steps to safeguard financial data and systems from cyber threats.

VPN

VPN

Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a secure digital tunnel that allows finance professionals to access and transmit sensitive financial information over the internet with encryption and anonymity, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or data interception.

Also receive instructional guidance on protecting your practice

Multi-factor authentication

MFA

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) enhanced security method requires professionals to provide two or more forms of identity verification, such as a password and a fingerprint, before granting access to financial systems or data.

Drive encryption

Drive encryption

Converts financial data into unreadable code on storage devices, ensuring that only authorized individuals with the appropriate decryption key can access and comprehend the sensitive information.

Firewall

Firewall

Digital barrier that safeguards financial networks and data by controlling incoming and outgoing internet traffic, preventing unauthorized access and potential cyber threats.

Protecting taxpayer data is the law

Comply with IRS Publication 4557 & FTC Safeguards Rule

Federal law gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to regulate tax professional data safeguards. The IRS & FTC have created guidelines for data security compliance. If you are audited and do not have these measures in place, you can face fines in excess of $50,000.

Our all-in-one solution provides the tools and resources you need to comply with IRS Publication 4557 and the FTC Safeguards Rule.

Need help managing data security?

Eliminate the stress of worrying about compliance

If you're like most tax professionals you don't have an IT professional on staff and you aren't an expert on information security for tax practitioners and taxpayer data. Satisfying the IRS Security Summit Taxes-Security-Together Checklist can be intimidating as these require:

  • Deploying the "Security Six"
  • Creating a data security plan
  • Educating yourself and being alert to key email scams
  • Recognizing the signs of client data theft
  • Creating a data theft recovery plan

With IRS and FTC compliance at stake, selecting an all-in-one solution can save you time and help you satisfy IRS and FTC regulations.

How it works

tax software loan

Register for the service

Complete the simple registration form, indicating the number of devices you are securing in your tax practice.

Help buying tax software

Select your payment preference

Choose to pay by credit card or have the cost withheld from your funded tax preparation fees and pay during tax season.

3

Get started

Our partner will contact you to get the process started, securing your client's data and protecting your tax practice.

Have questions?

Secure my tax practice now

Cybersecurity services provided through a partnership with Watch Cloud Cyber Security.

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1 Cybersecurity services provided through a partnership with Watch Cloud Cyber Security which is not an affiliate of Santa Barbara Tax Products Group or Green Dot Corporation. Tax professional pays a separate fee for this service.

2 To qualify to withhold the annual subscription cost from your funded tax preparation fees requires that you are enrolled with Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, and have 3 or more taxpayers that applied for the Refund Transfer and received IRS and/or State funding in the previous tax season.