Accounting Firms Consult to Verify Security of Web Sites

PricewaterhouseCoopers [1] and Deloitte & Touche [2] are two of several consultants who have lent their expertise in the Web site security arena and to the content of a report published by Plano, TX-based Entrust Technologies Inc. [3] This is an issue CPAs should be knowledgeable about based on the CPA Vision vision statement [4] and AICPA's WebTrust program. [5]

The Security Enabled E-business: The Management Mandate for the New Millennium [6] was issued to explain how a Security-Enabled E-business (SEE) adopting security measures on their site can excel in the business marketplace. An SEE uses technology to deliver services to its constituents and make certain all transactions are customer-service driven and secure.

Benefits of a secure site include reducing the cost of transactions and remote access, as well as the ability to launch new business arenas at a faster pace by lessening the time it takes to bring a product to market. Also affected are communications with a company's vendors, partners, employees and customers.