Cyber security may feel like an issue for the IT team, but it is increasingly a matter for finance teams, senior leaders and trustees too. A cyber incident can put an organisation’s money, data and reputation at risk, making good cyber security an important part of wider risk management and governance.
This is particularly important for charities, which may hold sensitive information about beneficiaries, supporters, donors and volunteers while operating with limited resources. Fraud and cybercrime are closely connected too, with criminals looking for opportunities to exploit organisations and the people who work within them. So, what can charities do to strengthen their resilience?
Join our cyber security webinar
On 28 October, the ICAEW Charity Community is hosting ‘Protecting your charity from cyber security risks,’ a webinar designed to help charities understand the risks they face and take practical steps to protect themselves.
The session will be particularly relevant to smaller charities and those without dedicated cyber security expertise. It will look at the cyber threats that charities need to be aware of, and the practical measures organisations can take to strengthen their defences and respond effectively if something does go wrong.
Charity Fraud Awareness Week returns
The webinar also coincides with Charity Fraud Awareness Week, taking place from 2 to 6 November 2026. This annual campaign aims to tackle fraud and cybercrime by raising awareness and sharing good practice across the sector.
Charities can get involved in a number of ways, from holding a team discussion or fraud awareness session to joining webinars and sharing the campaign’s free resources.
Help build the picture of charity fraud
Understanding charities’ real-world experiences is also important in developing effective guidance and support. The Charity Fraud Survey is now open, giving charities the opportunity to contribute to a better understanding of fraud across the sector and help inform future guidance and support. The survey is open until 2 November, so we encourage Charity Community members working with or for charities to share their experiences before the deadline.
Awareness, good governance and preparation all have a role to play in protecting a charity’s money, people and data. Charity Fraud Awareness Week provides a timely opportunity to start those conversations, review your organisation’s approach and make sure cyber risk remains firmly on the agenda.
