Information Security Management is a broad category, yet it is a very important area to a practicing accounting firm. The term Information Security relates to activities surrounding the protection of information and information infrastructure assets against the risks of loss, misuse, damage, disclosure,or theft. Information Security Management is the term to describe the collections of controls which an organization uses to ensure it is managing these risks.

Over the years, Gary Boomer's proselytizing about properly funding technology in a tax and accounting firm has had many variations. But judging from his presentation at a session at the annual CCH User Conference yesterday, one thing hasn't changed: Firms still don't know what they are spending for technology. Another thing should probably be added is that it isn't enough, especially in the soft costs, which are areas that get whittled away during a recession.

Being a self-proclained “novice” regarding the benefits these services can provide to your business is not uncommon, as most business owners see Twitter as a form of keeping in touch with friends of family members. It still remains an engine that “only college students, teenagers, or the very tech savvy use.”