Security at Xero
Security assurance
Xero is certified as compliant with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 which is globally recognized as the premier information security management system (ISMS) standard. Xero achieved certification by developing and implementing a robust security management program, including a comprehensive Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Xero has produced a Service Organization Control (SOC 2) report. The report is the result of an independent auditor's examination of Xero's cloud based accounting system relevant to the Trust Services Criteria for Security, Availability, and Confidentiality.
Xero complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). We're a level 3 merchant and outsource our credit card processing functions to PCI DSS-compliant level 1 service providers. Xero is compliant with PCI DSS v3.2, SAQ A.
If you have questions, or would like to request the latest available SOC 2 report, ISO 27001 certificate or both, please complete this request form and a Xero customer experience representative will contact you.
Protecting your data
We’re committed to the security of our customers’ data and provide multiple layers of protection for the personal and financial information you trust to Xero.
You control access
As a Xero customer you have the flexibility to invite unlimited users into your account to collaborate on your data, and the person that holds the subscription has control over who has access and what they are able to do. Our customer support staff cannot access your information unless you invite them to help. Please see our privacy policy for further information.
User authentication
We provide standard access to the Xero software through a login and password. In addition we offer the option of using two-step authentication. This provides a second level of security for your Xero account. It means you’re also asked to enter a unique code generated by a separate authenticator app on your smartphone. We recommend you use two-step authentication as it reduces the risk of your Xero account being accessed if your password is compromised.
Data encryption
We encrypt all data that goes between you and Xero using industry-standard TLS (Transport Layer Security), protecting your personal and financial data. Your data is also encrypted at rest when it is stored on our servers, and encrypted when we transfer it between data centres for backup and replication.
Network protection
Xero takes a “defence in depth” approach to protecting our systems and your data. Multiple layers of security controls protect access to and within our environment, including firewalls, intrusion protection systems and network segregation. Xero’s security services are configured, monitored and maintained according to industry best practice. We partner with industry-leading security vendors to leverage their expertise and global threat intelligence to protect our systems.
Secure data centres
Xero’s servers are located within enterprise-grade hosting facilities that employ robust physical security controls to prevent physical access to the servers they house. These controls include 24/7/365 monitoring and surveillance, on-site security staff and regular ongoing security audits. Xero maintains multiple geographically separated data replicas and hosting environments to minimise the risk of data loss or outages.
Security monitoring
Xero’s Security team continuously monitors security systems, event logs, notifications and alerts from all systems to identify and manage threats.
Always there
Best in class availability
With a record of 99.97% uptime, Xero delivers best-in-class availability. We use multiple redundancy technologies for our hardware, networks, data centres and infrastructure. These ensure that if any component fails, Xero will keep on running – with little or no disruption to your service.
Built to perform at scale
Xero has been designed to grow with your business. Our high performance servers, networks and infrastructure ensure we can deliver quality service to you and our hundreds of thousands of other users.
Disaster recovery and readiness
Xero performs real-time data replication between our geographically diverse, protected facilities, to ensure your data is available and safely stored. This means that should even an unlikely event occur, such as an entire hosting facility failure, we can switch over quickly to a backup site to keep Xero and your business running. We transmit data securely, across encrypted links.
Constant updates and innovation
We’re constantly enhancing Xero, delivering new features and performance improvements. Updates are delivered frequently, with the majority of them being delivered without interrupting our service and disrupting users.
Your online safety
We design security into Xero from the ground up. However, there can be risks to working and playing online. Whether you’re shopping, banking, doing your accounts, or simply checking your email, cyber criminals and scammers are always looking for ways to steal money or sensitive information.
There are precautions you can take to reduce the risks and help keep you safe from harm online. Take a few minutes to read our introduction to cloud security, and see below for information about how to identify and deal with scams and malicious phishing emails.
Phishing and malicious emails
A phishing email is a favoured way for cyber criminals to get access to your sensitive information, such as your usernames and passwords, credit card details, bank account numbers, etc. This kind of email may look as if it has come from a trustworthy source, but will attempt to trick you into:
- clicking on a link that will infect your computer with malicious software
- following a link to a fake (but convincing looking) website that will steal your login details
- opening an attachment that will infect your computer.
Once you are hooked, the cyber criminal may be able to steal or extort money from you, or gather sensitive personal or business information that they can use for other attacks. However, you can protect yourself and your business by being aware of these scams, and by knowing what to look for that may help you identify a malicious email:
- Incorrect spelling or grammar: legitimate organisations don’t always get it 100% right, but be suspicious of emails with basic errors.
- The actual linked URL is different from the one displayed – hover your mouse over any links in an email (DON’T CLICK) to see if the actual URL is different.
- The email asks for personal information that they should already have, or information that isn’t relevant to your business with them.
- The email calls for urgent action. For example, “Your bank account will be closed if you don’t respond right away”. If you are not sure and want to check, then go directly to the bank’s website via the URL you would normally use, or phone them. Don’t click on the link in the email. The email says you’ve won a competition you didn’t enter, have a parcel waiting that you didn’t order, or promises huge rewards for your help. On the internet, if it sounds too good to be true then it probably isn’t true.
- There are changes to how information is usually presented, for example an email is addressed to “Dear Sirs” or “Hello” instead of to you by name, the sending email address looks different or complex, or the content is not what you would usually expect.
These are just a few of the things to watch out for. There’s a lot more information and tips available on the web. But even if there’s nothing specific you can point to, the email may just not feel right. Trust your instincts, and don’t get hooked.
If you suspect you’ve received a phishing or malicious email, and it says it’s from Xero or uses Xero’s logo, do not click on anything in the email – please report it by forwarding the email to phishing@xero.com.
Try to avoid a phishing attack by following these rules
If you receive a suspicious email make sure you:
- DO NOT CLICK on any link or attachment contained in the email.
- DO NOT REPLY to the email.
- Report the email by forwarding it to phishing@xero.com if it is Xero-branded.
- Delete the email.
- Update your anti-malware (anti-virus, anti-spyware) and run a full scan on your computer.
Security Noticeboard
Xero's Security Noticeboard is where you'll find updates on known phishing and other scams targeting our community, as well as any recommendations on how to protect yourself from them. We'll also post other security related news from Xero on the Noticeboard. If you have questions about security matters, or notice any unusual activity or emails related to Xero, please go to Xero Central for support articles about security or to get in touch with our support team (just click the Get in touch button at the bottom of any support article).