I am shocked at how little churches ask us about our system(s) for data security and back-up plans for our MAG Bookkeeping services. I think I know why. They don’t have a plan … and don’t know to ask for it. The reality is … a volunteer bookkeeper will likely never worry about this like a paid provider. However, just because a church leverages volunteer efforts to maintain their books … it should not stop them from being wise, prudent protectors of the valuable data they possess.
A church’s financial records contain important and often times confidential information that you can’t risk losing … or worse … falling into the wrong hands. As a Church Leader in your church … security should be of high, high concern when your bookkeeping or accounting records are on a single, personal computer. Worse yet, imagine if your church’s bank account information is on that machine and a hacker liquidates it.
Here are some basics … to make sure you are protecting your Church with your financial data:
- Get a Firewall … by buying software (for a single computer) and/or installing hardware (routers for networks with multiple computers).
- Purchase a Virus Scanner with regular updates.
- Password Protect your applications, documents, and spreadsheets.
- Back-up your Data! There’s no excuse for this one. There’s plenty of inexpensive ways to do this … real-time updates to a 3rd party, to CD, to a thumb/USB drive, or transfer back-up to someone else’s hard drive. Back-up once per week at a minimum.
When people give to your church … they assume … that you are taking these measures to protect them and their info. They also assume you are being wise with your IT strategy to protect your church’s system(s).
Are you doing what they assume? Make sure your church’s bookkeeping is secure! If you need help, give us a call!
Misti Cox, Director of MAG Bookkeeping
