How Barnes & Scott secured its remote accounting team with NordLayer

Barnes & Scott is a Chartered Accountancy firm for UK-based tech, digital, and fintech startups. Founded 13 years ago by Tasnim Mustafa, the company is fully remote, with a team of 14 employees working from the UK, South Africa, India, and other locations.

Handling highly sensitive financial data for fast-growing companies meant their old, unreliable VPN wasn't just an inconvenience, but a risk, as well. They chose NordLayer to gain complete control over their network, ensuring every team member was protected, building client trust, and securing their operations for the future.

The challenge: Securing a distributed team with no central control

Before NordLayer, the firm's security was ad hoc. They relied on a basic VPN feature within their password manager, which was difficult to manage and often failed. With no central dashboard, they had no way of knowing who was protected and who was exposed.

This lack of control was a major liability for a 100% remote team accessing critical financial information from different locations. Barnes & Scott needed a solution that was not only powerful but also simple enough to manage without a dedicated IT department. Their search for a reliable, centralized, easy-to-use solution led them to NordLayer. As Tasnim Mustafa, the founder of the company, explains:

How NordLayer helped Barnes & Scott

NordLayer delivered the perfect blend of easy-to-use features and robust, centralized security control. The platform’s strong reputation and intuitive dashboard made it an easy decision.

The setup was seamless. Now, employees can log in instantly through Google Single Sign-On (SSO) integration. New users can also be onboarded immediately, so every new hire is secure from day one. This plug-and-play approach meant the team can stay focused on clients, not on complex security configurations.

Benefit 1: Centralized secure access for a fully remote team

The biggest advantage for Barnes & Scott was gaining a single point of control over their team's secure access. NordLayer’s Business VPN ensures that every employee’s connection is secure, eliminating the gaps left by their previous system.

This centralized oversight is crucial for a remote-first company. It provides the confidence that no matter where their team members are, they are always connected securely.

Benefit 2: Building client trust with a robust security framework

In the world of finance and tech, trust is everything. NordLayer has become a cornerstone of Barnes & Scott’s internal IT policy, which now includes mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA).

This layered defense strategy helps the firm show clients that their sensitive financial data is safe, building credibility and trust. The company also plans to pursue the UK’s Cyber Essentials certification to formalize its security practices.

Results: Cost-effective security that fuels growth

For a small business like Barnes & Scott, NordLayer is more than a security tool. It's a smart investment. The cost-effective platform gives the founder peace of mind and protects the company from costly cyber threats.

By eliminating security worries, NordLayer allows the team to focus on revenue-generating activities. The solution doesn’t just prevent losses; it actively supports growth.

Why NordLayer works for Barnes & Scott

As a small, fully remote accounting firm without dedicated IT support, Barnes & Scott needed a security solution that was effective, easy-to-use, and centralized. For the past two years, NordLayer has proven to be the perfect fit. Tasnim Mustafa explains why he chose NordLayer:

Pro cybersecurity tips from Barnes & Scott

Tasnim Mustafa shared his top security advice for other business owners:

1. Start early: "Get security sorted early, even if you're a small business. As you slowly grow, adapt the solutions to the team's growth."
2. Standardize your processes: "Make sure you standardize your onboarding and offboarding processes so when you bring team members on, they're familiar with how all the security systems work."
3. Layer your defenses: "Securing your connections with a VPN is one element, but obviously, there are others such as password security systems, multi-factor authentication, and making sure your staff is trained."

Conclusion

Barnes & Scott swapped security uncertainty for centralized control. With NordLayer, the firm protects its global team, proves its commitment to security to its tech clients, and focuses on what it does best: helping startups grow.

Ready to secure your business and build client trust? Discover the right NordLayer plan for your team today.