Accounting firms are increasingly targeted by ransomware due to the volume and sensitivity of the financial data they manage. Publicly reported incidents show that a single compromised file can lead to recovery costs of nearly $84,000, highlighting how routine file handling can escalate into significant security incidents.
More recent reports, including attacks claimed by ransomware groups such as Hunters International, show that accounting practices continue to be actively targeted and publicly listed on data leak sites. As cloud collaboration platforms like SharePoint Online become central to daily operations, automated file security has become essential for protecting client data and maintaining compliance.
Challenges Securing Cloud Collaboration
Securing High-Volume File Collaboration
As a large accounting organization operating across multiple APAC markets, the customer manages a continuous flow of files through Microsoft SharePoint Online. Employees upload and collaborate on thousands of documents each day, ranging from internal working papers to highly sensitive financial and client-related data. This volume of activity made manual inspection impractical and increased the risk of file-borne threats entering the environment.
Preventing Malware Without Disrupting Productivity
Traditional security controls were not designed to provide deep inspection of files stored in cloud collaboration platforms. The organization faced the risk that malware-infected or compromised files could be downloaded or shared internally before being detected. At the same time, any additional security controls needed to operate transparently to ensure that employees continue working without delays, workflow interruptions, or complex approval processes.
Maintaining Compliance and Trust in the Cloud
Handling sensitive financial information requires strict adherence to internal security policies and regulatory frameworks. The organization needed clear visibility into file safety and assurance that only clean, trusted files were accessible within SharePoint. Ensuring consistent protection across cloud storage, while reducing the operational burden on IT and security teams, was a key requirement in strengthening its overall security posture.
Implementing Secure File Storage
Automated File Security for SharePoint Online
The organization deployed MetaDefender Storage Security Cloud™ to protect files stored in SharePoint Online. Guided by OPSWAT, the cloud-based integration was completed in approximately 10 minutes, with configuration managed by the internal IT team. The solution was implemented without disrupting existing collaboration workflows.
Once deployed, MetaDefender Storage Security Cloud applies automated, policy-driven protection to all files in SharePoint Online, including:
- Metascan™ Multiscanning with 20+ antivirus engines for this deployment to detect known and emerging cyberthreats
- Deep CDR™ to proactively remove embedded malicious content while preserving file usability
- Real-time and continuous scanning of new and existing files stored in SharePoint
- Automated blocking of suspicious or malicious files before accessing them
- Immediate access to verified clean files, enabling uninterrupted collaboration
Centralized Control and Compliance Support
The solution provides centralized visibility, audit logging, and consistent enforcement of file-handling policies across the SharePoint environment. By automating detection, sanitization, and remediation, the organization reduced manual review efforts while supporting compliance with ISO 27001, SOC 2, and regional data protection requirements.
Measurable Security and Operational Impact
By implementing MetaDefender Storage Security Cloud, the organization strengthened its SharePoint Online security posture while maintaining seamless collaboration across teams.
Key Outcomes
- Improved visibility into file safety with centralized insight into the security status of all files stored in SharePoint
- Reduced risk of malware exposure, as untrusted or malicious files were automatically deleted before download or internal sharing
- Zero disruption to employee workflows, allowing teams to collaborate without delays or manual security checks
- Lower operational overhead for IT and security teams by reducing manual file reviews and investigation efforts
- Increased user confidence in cloud collaboration, knowing that only verified, trusted files were accessible
Together, these improvements enabled the organization to securely scale cloud-based collaboration while meeting security and compliance expectations.
Extending File Security Coverage
To further strengthen its file security and zero-trust posture, the organization could consider expanding its OPSWAT deployment with the following solutions:
MetaDefender ICAP Server™
As file security needs to evolve, the organization may extend protection beyond storage to files in transit. MetaDefender ICAP Server enables real-time inspection and sanitization of files entering the environment through web portals, applications, or third-party uploads. This would allow the organization to enforce consistent security controls from file intake through long-term storage.
MetaDefender Aether™
To complement Metascan Multiscanning and Deep CDR, the organization is evaluating MetaDefender Aether for deeper behavioral analysis of suspicious files. This capability would allow security teams to safely analyze zero-day and evasive threats in a controlled environment, gaining additional visibility while maintaining automated workflows.
MetaDefender Managed File Transfer™
For scenarios involving external partners, regulators, or clients, MetaDefender Managed File Transfer could provide policy-enforced, auditable file exchange. This would ensure that sensitive financial documents are protected with the same level of inspection, sanitization, and compliance controls when files move beyond internal collaboration platforms.
Securing Cloud Collaboration at Scale
By implementing MetaDefender Storage Security Cloud, the organization established a trusted and secure SharePoint Online environment without compromising productivity or user experience. Automated Multiscanning, Deep CDR, and policy-driven remediation enabled the firm to reduce file-borne risk, strengthen compliance, and maintain confidence in cloud-based collaboration at scale.
As file volumes and security requirements continue to grow, OPSWAT provides a clear path forward with a layered approach to file security that extends protection across file intake, transfer, and storage.
Ready to protect your files and strengthen your cloud collaboration security? Talk to an OPSWAT expert to learn how MetaDefender Storage Security Cloud can help secure your file sharing environment.
