2010 AICPA Top Technology Initiatives Survey Results 

1. Are we ensuring that our data and technology resources are protected against hacking, viruses, or other compromises?
2. Are we considering/ implementing organizational security precautions even though we haven’t had a data breach or loss?
3. Are our current internal controls and IT governance policies and procedures effective?
4. Are we receiving the most relevant and current information from our reporting functions (business intelligence, dashboards, etc.) or are there areas for improvement?
5. Have we implemented a sound/appropriate privacy policies and procedures within the organization and for our customers?
6. Are we appropriately considering the IT risks associated with the organization in initial planning of any audit or attest engagement?
7. Are we capturing the appropriate control objectives during the initial planning of any audit or attest engagement to address the IT risks associated with the organization?
8. Should we refresh our core and financial accounting software to leverage technology efficiencies every few years?
9. Can our data remain safe if we utilize cloud computing/Software as a Service (SaaS) services?
10. Can we deliver on our service and product promises to our customers if we utilize cloud computing/ Software as a Service (SaaS) services?

Which top ten technology considerations are driving your business or practice today?

1. Security of data, code & communications / data security & document retention / security threats
   Proper Information Security Management protects the integrity, confidentiality and availability of information in the custody of an organization and reduces the risk of information being compromised.
2. Connectivity / wireless access / high speed Internet connections / voice and data
   The ability to make and maintain an instantaneous connection between two or more points using connection devices is more eminent than ever In order to stay competitive in the marketplace.
3. Backup solutions/ disaster recovery/ business continuity
   Business Continuity Management and Disaster Recovery Planning are the holistic processes organizations use to mitigate the risks to systems and people when unexpected events occur.
4. Secure electronic collaboration with clients – client portals
   Portals enable employees, customers, vendors, and other contacts to securely access and share information and documents. Collaboration tools allow multiple users to work together on files of all kinds.
5. Paperless workflow/ paperless technology/ electronic workpapers
   A paperless office environment is essential to supporting mobile users who want to access and collaborate on digital documents from remote locations.
6. Laptop security / encryption
   Stored data can be altered to commit fraud, intercepted by an unscrupulous person en route and altered, and laptops storing vast amounts of confidential information can be lost or stolen.
7. Small business software / Office 2010 / Windows 7
   There is a new generation of productivity applications available from Microsoft and others, including Office 2010, Windows 7, and Google Apps to improve the user experience.
8. User mobility/ mobile computing/ mobile devices
   Enabling people to work from anywhere and at any time is the goal of Mobile and Remote Computing. Technologies used include Citrix, Virtual Desktop Interface, Cellular broadband, and other applications.
9. Tax software/ electronic transmittals of tax forms/ modern e-file
   A paperless office environment is essential to supporting mobile users who want to access and collaborate on digital documents from remote locations.
10. Server virtualization and consolidation
    Virtualization is running computing resources in an emulated and consolidated environment. Server virtualization is a method that allows computing resources to be installed, used, and supported more efficiently.

Glossary - Technology for Accounting and Business