In 2020, a Mississippi family experienced every parent’s nightmare when their eight-year-old daughter heard a stranger’s voice coming from her bedroom Ring camera. A hacker had gained access and started talking to her—playing music, watching, and controlling the device. The entry point? A reused, already-compromised password.
This isn’t a rare case. Internet-connected smart cameras and devices are everywhere now—even in accounting firms. For Salt Lake City CPA offices, they offer a convenient way to monitor entrances, server rooms, and document storage areas. But with convenience comes risk. If these devices aren't set up and maintained properly, they can become back doors into your most sensitive systems.
Not all smart security tools are built for businesses that handle financial data. In fact, many low-cost options skip key protections like encryption, multifactor authentication, or timely firmware updates. And even name-brand systems can become vulnerable if you don't configure them securely.
Here's the bottom line: If you're a CPA firm in Salt Lake City using or planning to use smart cameras, you need to treat them like the cybersecurity risks they are.
What to Look For in Secure Smart Cameras
Before you mount a camera in your lobby or conference room, make sure you check for these critical security features:
- Choose vendors that regularly release security patches and updates.
- Ensure the camera offers end-to-end encryption (so footage isn’t intercepted).
- Opt for models with built-in multifactor authentication (MFA).
- Favor devices with local storage options—not just cloud uploads.
Remember: In the financial services space, any exposed footage could create legal risk, client trust issues, and compliance headaches. Don’t compromise just to save a few dollars.
Proper Smart Camera Setup Is Everything
Even the best smart camera can become a liability if it's not set up right. Here’s how Salt Lake City CPA firms can secure their devices:
- Immediately change all default usernames and passwords.
- Enable automatic firmware updates and regularly verify they are applied.
- Segment your network so cameras live on a separate VLAN from your file servers or tax software.
- Lock down your router with strong passwords and WPA3 encryption.
One device with an open door can compromise your entire network—and the financial data that lives inside it.
Don’t Stop at Cameras: Secure Every Connected Device
Doorbells. Smart thermostats. Voice assistants. Anything connected to your Wi-Fi could give a hacker access to your systems. That includes:
- Client tax files
- Payroll data
- Audit logs
CPA firms in Salt Lake City have unique data protection obligations. If a device is connected, it needs to be part of your overall IT security strategy.
Smart Devices Are Useful—But Only If They’re Managed Right
There’s no question smart cameras and devices make life easier. But they also bring real cyber risks—especially in compliance-heavy industries like accounting.
With the right IT provider in Salt Lake City, you don’t have to choose between convenience and security. A managed IT services team can vet devices before you install them, help you segment networks, and lock everything down before something goes wrong.
Ready To Lock Down Your Smart Devices?
Before you plug in another camera or smart device, let’s make sure it won’t expose your firm to unnecessary risk.
Click here to book your free network assessment with Qual IT.
We help Salt Lake City CPA firms turn smart devices into assets—not liabilities.
