FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HAINES CITY, Fla. — July 15, 2026
iTech Plus, a Central Florida managed IT and cybersecurity provider, today announced a new compliance service designed to help accounting firms, tax preparers, and bookkeepers meet the Federal Trade Commission’s Safeguards Rule — a data-security regulation that classifies these firms as “financial institutions,” yet which many owners do not realize already applies to them.
Under the FTC Safeguards Rule, part of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any business that prepares taxes, keeps books, or handles client financial data is required to maintain a written information-security program with specific technical controls. The rule was significantly strengthened in 2023, adding explicit requirements such as multi-factor authentication, encryption of customer data, continuous monitoring, and a designated individual accountable for security. Firms that felt compliant a few years ago frequently are not — and many have never been told the rule applies to them at all.
“Most tax and accounting firms have no idea the federal government already treats them like a bank when it comes to protecting client data,” said Ric Acevedo, founder and owner of iTech Plus. “They’re sitting on Social Security numbers and full financial profiles for hundreds of clients, and the FTC now expects specific safeguards — multi-factor authentication, encryption, a written security program, and a named person accountable for it. Our job is to put all of that in place so a firm can stay focused on their clients, not on decoding a federal rule.”
The new service provides accounting and tax firms with a complete, flat-rate path to compliance, including multi-factor authentication, encryption of client data at rest and in transit, endpoint protection, continuous monitoring and logging, secure backups, staff security-awareness training, a documented written information-security program, and a designated Qualified Individual to own the program — the accountability role the rule requires. For most small firms, this replaces the need to hire a dedicated security officer.
“The worst time to discover you’re not compliant is during a breach or an FTC inquiry,” Acevedo added. “The best time is now, in the quiet before tax season.”
The service is available now to firms across Polk County, Osceola County, and the greater Orlando area. iTech Plus also offers a free FTC Safeguards self-assessment so firms can see where they stand at no cost.
About iTech Plus
iTech Plus is a Central Florida managed IT provider delivering flat-rate managed IT, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, and AI consulting to more than 700 small and mid-sized businesses since 2016. Based in Haines City, the company specializes in compliance-driven industries including medical practices, law firms, and accounting and tax firms. Learn more at itsupportdavenport.com.
Media Contact
Ric Acevedo, Founder & Owner
iTech Plus
ric.acevedo@itechplus.co
itsupportdavenport.com
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