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Cyber security

Cybercrime and threats to computer systems have become a major concern of businesses around the world. This resource centre provides a focal point for ICAEW members looking for support in managing cyber risks.

Contents
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Cyber security awareness month 2023
Cyber security in corporate finance
cyber security guide
Internal auditors can help boards tackle ‘poly-crisis’
Cyber roundup september 2023
ICAEW Cyber Security Awareness

Cyber security awareness

Each year ICAEW marks global Cyber Security Awareness month with dedicated resources addressing the latest issues and how to protect your business.
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Corporate Finace

Cyber Security in Corporate Finance

Cyber Security in Corporate Finance aims to help organisations manage cyber risk and improve its governance, setting out good practice within the context of a corporate finance transaction.
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Glossary of IT security terms

Glossary of IT Security terms

Clear and concise explanations are given for the most common IT security expressions, phrases, acronyms and jargon.
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Cyber Security: How to keep your organisation safe and secure online

Cyber security: How to keep your organisation safe and secure online

This cyber security guide explains how to best protect yourself, your business and your clients from cyber risks and threats. You can also find additional information in our dedicated cyber security resource centre.
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Ukraine crisis: the cyber threat from Russia is real

Ukraine crisis: the cyber threat from Russia is real

As politicians and businesses take a public stance against Russia, members should be prepared for some kind of retribution from its cyber agents.
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Features and articles

Features and articles from ICAEW on cyber security.
 
Your Questions Answered #13 - Mastering Copilot in Excel
  • Article
  • 10 Mar 2025
In a recent webinar, David Fortin, Microsoft MVP and founder of Piggy Bank Accountant, explored how to get started with Microsoft’s Copilot and the basics of Copilot’s functionality in Excel. In this article, David returns to answer your most asked questions.
National efforts to build cyber resilience and secure AI
  • Article
  • 27 Feb 2025
This month's cyber round-up covers key information on recent policy developments and new initiatives in the UK focused on enhancing cyber resilience and securing AI. Learn more about how this will protect and support businesses, and what guidance is available.
How to navigate software platform migration
  • Article
  • 25 Feb 2025
Whether driven by cost, functionality, security or compliance, software migration is a complex process that requires careful planning. ICAEW highlights key considerations for practices and businesses looking to migrate.
Cyber security: outlook for 2025
  • Article
  • 30 Jan 2025
Cyber resilience is a key concern for governments, with many exploring ways to address the cyber threat and promote national resilience. What is the outlook for 2025?
How to guard against voice cloning and deepfake scams
  • Article
  • 15 Jan 2025
As voice and image fraud becomes rapidly more sophisticated, Cyber Security Professor Oli Buckley outlines the current state of the problem and provides some countermeasures.
Cyber 2024 wrap-up: tech’s double-edged sword
  • Article
  • 18 Dec 2024
This year continues to remind us that while technology can make us more efficient, productive and agile, it also opens us up to manipulation and exploitation.
Lessons learned: trustee insights on preventing and responding to fraud in charities
  • Article
  • 04 Dec 2024
As a PhD Researcher from the University of Portsmouth, I interviewed officers of small charities who had experienced fraud for a recent study. These individuals shared valuable insights about how trustees can protect their charities against fraud.
What to expect from 2025
  • Article
  • 04 Dec 2024
We share predictions for the key trends and events that will shape life in the accountancy profession.

Guidance

Read our latest guidance on cyber security.
Managing software risk when adopting cloud software
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 19 Feb 2025
The risks associated with adopting software – particularly software based in the cloud – are many and varied. Here, we consider some of the critical software risks that may be important for businesses to consider and mitigate.
Strategic considerations for software implementation
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 19 Feb 2025
When looking to implement a new software solution - whether hosted in the cloud or otherwise - it is worth spending time to determine your strategic approach to software before rushing into exploring specific applications. Here, we outline some of those considerations.
Benefits and risks of cloud computing
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 19 Feb 2025
Cloud computing offers a multitude of benefits that make it a valuable consideration for businesses, but it is not without risk. With the ability to store data, run applications or collaborate with others, cloud computing is a flexible and reliable option for many.
Contractual considerations for cloud implementation
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 19 Feb 2025
Consider the contractual tie-ins and the potential costs associated with buying into cloud or subscription-based software.
Data considerations for cloud software
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 19 Feb 2025
Data is of course at the heart of the vast majority of software applications. In some form or other, applications in the cloud will typically be storing data that relates to you or your customers/clients, and so understanding what this means for your organisation is critical.
Faculty news: June 2024
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 06 Jun 2024
The latest from ICAEW’s centre of professional expertise in corporate finance, with a cyber specialist joining the faculty, dates for the diary including the faculty AGM, plus the Takeover Code consultation.
Faculty news: March 2024
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 11 Mar 2024
The latest from ICAEW’s centre of professional expertise in corporate finance, including the launch of the faculty’s cyber security guide, a new member firm, a call for comment on two consultations, plus forthcoming events.
Exclusive IFRS 15 Revenue from contracts with customers
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 20 Jul 2023
  • PDF (562kb)
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers sets out the principles for when revenue should be recognised and how it should be measured, together with related disclosures. This factsheet answers some key frequently asked questions about the standard.

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Finance in a digital world

Webinars and recordings

View our webinars on the topic of cyber security.
Cybercrime trends and the impact on the legal sector
  • Webinar
  • 21 Nov 2024
Explore the effects of cybercrime and learn strategies for strengthening your business from experts.
Protecting your business: eight cyber security pitfalls to avoid with Mitigo
  • Webinar
  • 15 Oct 2024
Understand how to protect your business by steering clear of cyber security pitfalls.
Cyber threat - reducing the risk in retail
  • Webinar
  • 08 Oct 2024
This webinar from ICAEW's Retail Community, explores the common mistakes retailers make and what you need to consider to ensure your business is not the next victim. Hear from Kerrie Machin from Mitigo Cyber Security and ICAEW's Simon Gray.
Cyber security, taxing green travel and public finances
  • Podcast
  • 08 Jun 2023
On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast episode, we explore the month’s key developments in accountancy.
Why cyber security makes good business sense
  • Webinar
  • 13 Feb 2023
This webinar provides an opportunity to hear first-hand from the City of London Police what they are seeing on the ground in relation to cyber attacks on small and medium sized businesses.
Cybersecurity for the accountancy profession: managing risks and busting myths
  • Webinar
  • 25 Oct 2022
In partnership with Mitigo, learn how to protect your firm from the latest cyber threats. This free one-hour webinar will help support accountancy firms build resilience against cyber-attacks and provide some key takeaways to help your firm manage risk and stay safe.
Cybersecurity for the accountancy profession: Managing risks and busting myths
  • Webinar
  • 25 Oct 2022
Cybercrime is a major threat to all organisations regardless of size. This webinar will provide key takeaways to help your firm manage risk and stay safe.
Protecting SMEs against cyber criminals
  • Podcast
  • 19 Oct 2022
In this Insights In Focus episode, we explore why SMEs are tempting targets for cyber criminals, and what can be done to protect smaller firms against attacks.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by external guest speakers in interviews or other publications included on this website are, by their nature, those of the speaker. They are not necessarily fully endorsed by the ICAEW or purport to reflect the official policies and views of the ICAEW or its members.

Industry press

The Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of industry press articles on cyber security as a benefit of ICAEW membership.
 
Exclusive Data sovereignty and security in the uK
  • Article
  • 25 Mar 2025
Article looks at the importance of new regulations and government policy on the ability to use public cloud services and the complex nature of keeping data within national boundaries.
Exclusive Cyber attacks to get hurricane style rating
  • Article
  • 25 Feb 2025
Article reports on the Cyber Monitoring Centre's new initiative to assess damage caused by cyber-attacks on a five point scale, akin to that used for hurricanes.
Exclusive What the 2024 CrowdStrike glitch can teach us about cyber risk
  • Article
  • 10 Jan 2025
This article discusses the 2024 CrowdStrike glitch and stresses the need for agile cyber risk management to address software failures and ensure resilience.
Exclusive Plugging into artificial intelligence
  • Article
  • 29 Jul 2024
Article discusses Accounting firms utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline their operations and enhance client communication. AI tools are being used to analyse complex documents, automate repetitive tasks, and generate content such as tax position documents. While some accounting leaders have embraced AI for its time-saving benefits, others have concerns about accuracy, data security, and client trust. Accounting firms are implementing AI for various tasks, but human review remains crucial for accuracy and protecting client data. It is important for accounting professionals to na...
Exclusive AI: It’s not the tool that determines your success
  • Article
  • 29 Jul 2024
Article discusses how accounting firms are utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline their operations and enhance client communication. AI tools are being used to analyse complex documents, automate repetitive tasks, and generate content such as tax position documents. While some accounting leaders have embraced AI for its time-saving benefits, others have concerns about accuracy, data security, and client trust. Accounting firms are implementing AI for various tasks, but human review remains crucial for accuracy and protecting client data. It is important for accounting professiona...
Exclusive Data management trends: privacy, security and AI
  • Article
  • 29 Jul 2024
This article discusses the importance of data management for accountancy firms, focusing on the trends of privacy, security, and artificial intelligence (AI). It highlights the challenges posed by cyberthreats and regulatory requirements, emphasizing the need to prioritize privacy and security measures. The article suggests strategies such as data encryption, cybersecurity measures, and staff training to enhance data management. It also recommends leveraging AI tools for automation, predictive analytics, and data visualization.
Exclusive Digital transformation: strategies for small and midsize accounting firms
  • Article
  • 29 Jul 2024
The article focuses on the challenges and opportunities faced by small to medium-sized accounting firms amidst digital transformation. Topics include evolving client expectations for remote access and intuitive digital platforms, strategies for integrating accounting systems with other business tools, and the critical importance of strong data security measures to maintain client trust.
Exclusive Generative AI for small and midsized firms
  • Article
  • 01 May 2024
Article discusses how small and midsized accounting firms are beginning to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technology to streamline their processes. It outlines the three approaches to adopting generative AI: out-of-the-box, custom development, and assembling. Each approach has its own advantages and considerations, such as data security and cost.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access articles subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

Useful links

Links to guidance and information from external websites on cyber security.
Create your cyber action plan
  • Website
  • 20 Mar 2025

Answer a few simple questions to get a free personalised action plan that lists what you or your organisation can do right now to protect against cyber attack.

Small charity guide
  • Website
  • 20 Mar 2025

How to improve cyber security within your charity - quickly, easily and at low cost.

Cyber security training for businesses
  • Website
  • 20 Mar 2025

Free online training courses to help business protect against cyber threats and online fraud.

PWC Global Digital Trust Insights survey
  • Website
  • 20 Mar 2025

PwC’s Global Digital Trust Insights survey revealed significant gaps companies must bridge before achieving cyber resilience.

Cyber security breaches survey
  • Website
  • 12 May 2023
An annual Government survey detailing business and charity action on cyber security and the costs and impacts of cyber breaches and attacks. An interim survey has been published detailing preparedness for the new Data Protection Act.
Home working: preparing your organisation and staff
  • Website
  • 10 Dec 2020
NCSC guidance on how to make sure your organisation is prepared for an increase in home working, and advice on spotting coronavirus (COVID-19) scam emails.
Be cyber aware
  • Website
  • 23 Mar 2018
Government campaign to raise cyber security awareness. Gives advice on: protecting your device; protecting your data; and protecting your business.
Cyber essentials scheme
  • Website
  • 21 Mar 2018
Advice from the National Cyber Security Centre to help protect organisations against cyber attacks. There are three levels of engagement , two of which leads to accreditation for certified cyber security.

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Data protection and privacy

All organisations that collect, store or process personal information on living and identifiable people must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018. Additional resources can be found on the GDPR (now the Data Protection Act 2018 in the UK).

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