Glossary of IT Security terms
Clear and concise explanations are given for the most common IT security expressions, phrases, acronyms and jargon.
Cyber security
Cybercrime and threats to computer systems have become a major concern of businesses around the world. Our growing reliance on IT and the internet has greatly increased the impact of hacking, security failures and the loss of systems. At the same time, cyber attackers have become more sophisticated and organised. How worried should businesses be? And what are the main steps they should be taking? This resource centre provides a focal point for ICAEW members looking for support in managing cyber risks.
Featured items
In this section
Features and articles
Set ‘human firewalls’ to be cyber safe
Good cybersecurity succeeds and fails on people, so it's essential for chartered accountants to create and foster a strong security-aware culture in their organisations.
Increasing supply chain cyber resilience
Cyber breaches can be caused by many things, but one risk factor that is causing increasing concern is supply chains, especially as only 12% of businesses have reviewed cybersecurity risks posed by their suppliers.
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue
The first step to protecting an organisation from a cyber attack is to realise that it will happen, you just don’t know when. Cyber risk is real and everyone in a business shares responsibility. Karen Morrall explains why finance teams need to start thinking differently about cybersecurity.
The cyber threat to local government
Every senior manager and leader needs to understand cybersecurity, writes Councillor Peter Fleming, Chairman, Improvement and Innovation Board at the Local Government Association.
Guidance
Fraud Issues for members in practice
Technical helpsheet issued to help ICAEW practice members to navigate some of the issues that may arise if they find that they have been victims of fraud.
Keep your charity safe
New helpsheet for charities on keeping themselves safe in the pandemic and beyond, issued in December 2020 by the Fraud Advisory Panel, the Charity Commission, the National Cyber Security Centre and others.
COVID-19 risk briefing
Covid-19 is creating exceptional circumstances and while the country adjusts to life under lockdown, criminals are identifying ways to exploit the vulnerable at this time of uncertainty.
Complete the FDW eLearning course
ICAEW is collaborating with Deloitte to ensure its members and students have the knowledge and skills to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the fourth industrial revolution and to meet its challenges head on. Log-in to access exclusive eLearning content.
Webinars and recordings
Cyber Security - Practical Tips for Protecting Your Organisation Online
Webinar document from the NCSC
Cyber security and data protection for hybrid working
While many people are keen to return to the office after a year of home working, most employees want the option to work part of the week remotely.
Do more in a day than you do in a week
In this on-demand webinar we'll explore some of the latest thinking and practical productivity hacks, leaving you with the capacity to turn your new self-awareness into focused action.
Common online frauds and how to avoid them
A timely update on common online frauds you might encounter in your professional and personal lives, along with some practical tips on how to spot and avoid them.
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 as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an article, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com
Cybersecurity from within
Article discusses internal IT security threats and how these shouldn't be left to the IT department and should b addressed by an organisation's internal controls.
How can healthcare fight cyber crime?
Article reports that the healthcare organizations have come under intense pressure since the outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus, and they are also battling a dramatic increase in cyber security incidents linked to the pandemic.
The end of Emotnet: a blow to the cyber criminals, but don't drop your guard
Article looks at the takedown of Emotet - one of the world's most active and dangerous cyber threats using malware and ransomware. Also discussed is how this may not have a long-term impact.
Why securing the DNS layer is crucial to fight cyber crime
The article discusses that the Domain name system (DNS) security is often overlooked by organizations, but focusing on this layer could improve the effectiveness of cyber security strategies.
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
10 steps to cyber security
Guidance on how organisations can protect themselves in cyberspace, including the 10 steps to cyber security, an introduction to cyber security for executive/board-level staff and an explaination of what a common cyber attack looks like, and how attackers execute them.
A practical guide to IT security
Guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) which gives advice for small businesses on how to keep IT systems safe and secure.
Be cyber aware
Government campaign to raise cyber security awareness. Gives advice on: protecting your device; protecting your data; and protecting your business.
Cloud security guide for SMEs
Guidance from ENISA on the security risks and opportunities of cloud services for SMEs. Includes forms for assessing risks and opportunities and collecting relevant information about the security aspects of a cloud service.
ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided ‘as is’ with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.
Data protection and privacy
Draft decision deems UK data laws ‘adequate’
24 February 2021: The UK government has welcomed the European Commission’s recent draft data adequacy decision, which paves the way for the continued free flow of data from the EU and the UK.
Data Protection now the UK has left the EU: February 2021 Update
The EU Commission has issued a draft decision that the UK will be granted a full adequacy decision which will enable data flows from the EU/EEA to continue as they did when the UK was in the EU. However the European Data Protection Board still has to formalise this and will not do this before it has consulted with member states.
Data protection now the UK has left the EU: January 2021 update
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, ICAEW Insights has the latest on how this affects GDPR and the sensitive issue of data protection.
Data protection and Brexit - October 2020 update
October 2020 update on data protection and Brexit – what you need to know and how to prepare your business.