Cloud Service Provider IndependenceIT Adopts SSAE 16 Audit Standards for Infrastructure and Processes Ahead of June Deadli

February 9, 2011

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ALLENTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cloud Service provider independenceIT today announced that it has adopted the new SSAE 16 (Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 16) audit standard and successfully completed its semi-annual SSAE 16 audit on December 31, 2010. SSAE 16 is the new auditing standard issued by the AICPA to replace SAS70.

IndependenceIT has elected to adopt the new SSAE 16 standard ahead of the June 2011 required implementation to best prepare its customers who rely on its IT services and require the audit to effectively run their business. Like SAS70, this certification verifies that independenceIT has the proper internal controls and processes in place to deliver high quality services to its clients.

SSAE 16 is adopted from, and closely aligned to ISAE 3402, an international audit standard for services providers. SSAE 16 extends ISAE 3402 in important areas including additional diligence required on the part of auditors when performing audits of service agencies.

IndependenceIT customers are provided a copy of external audit reports upon request. Audits are conducted semi-annually in June and December.

“We chose early adoption of the SSAE 16 standard in order to continue our consistent commitment to IT best practices and continuous improvement in process management,” said Tony Whitton, CEO at independenceIT. “By voluntarily undertaking these third party audits, our customers can be assured that we have demanding controls, processes and procedures in place and can properly care for their applications and data.”

“Serving as the virtual IT department for our clients, it is critical they have peace of mind that solid internal controls and processes have been established at independenceIT,” said Tony Whitton.

“IndependenceIT is among a select group of companies that have elected to aggressively pursue the SSAE 16 audit ahead of its general implementation later this year,” said Joseph Kirkpatrick, senior partner with Kirkpatrick Price. “This should be a significant advantage to their clients who will be migrating to the new standard to know that their infrastructure and application provider has already successful completed the audit.”

More information on the SSAE 16 audit standard is available at http://www.aicpa.org.

About independenceIT

Established in 2000, independenceIT provides businesses with a way to leverage technology without the burden of owning and maintaining it. The company's "cloud computing" solutions enable customers to give their employees the freedom to work where and when they will be most productive – regardless of whether they're in the office, at home, or on the road. independenceIT offers a complete, remotely accessible office environment – including e-mail, more than 200 business applications, and data storage and backup – all through a secure, single provider. The company's "desktop as a service" delivery model is offered on a pay-per-use subscription basis, enabling companies to purchase only what they need to run their business.