Accountancy firms deal with a lot of sensitive financial data which makes them prime targets for cyber criminals. Attacks on the finance industry account for 8.3% of all cyber-crime and it is the second most targeted industry after healthcare.
As more accountancy practices move to online and AI-based systems they also open themselves up to more types of data breaches and cybercrime. This means that implementing a rigid cyber security plan and regularly updating it is crucial to protecting your clients’ information and your business processes.
Cyber resilience for accountants
It is important to back-up important information and data regularly or keep it stored securely in the cloud. This means that in the event of a cyber breach, you can keep your business running and aren’t forced into paying ransoms to recover this data.
You should also install firewalls, anti-virus and encryption software, and require multi-factor authentication to access sensitive financial information. This prevents hackers from easily accessing you and your clients’ data. It is important to keep all software and systems up to date to make sure any known vulnerabilities are patched.
Your staff should be trained in identifying and responding to cyber fraud and threats. The National Cyber Security Centre offers certifications and training materials to reduce the risk of employees falling victim to phishing scams or choosing unsecure passwords. Obtaining these security qualifications also presents your company as a reliable and trustworthy partner to potential clients.
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill was implemented in December 2025 and it aims to improve the security of systems and networks. Part of this bill requires strict incident reporting in the event of cybercrime, and it is more important than ever to ensure you have a rigid plan in place to protect your online systems.
By keeping cyber security a priority, you can keep your accounts safe and your business running smoothly. At J Sweeney, we can offer you expert financial advice as well as strong data protection. For more information, get in touch by calling 01604 950034 or emailing [email protected].
