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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

Our Cyber Security in Corporate Finance guideline 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.
 
Exclusive Navigating cyber threats in construction
  • Article
  • 28 Nov 2025
The construction sector’s rapid move towards digital tools, remote access and cloud collaboration has widened its exposure to cyber threats. Construction firms rely heavily on technology to manage projects, yet many still have limited cyber maturity. The combination of tight deadlines, multiple stakeholders and high-value contracts makes the impact of any disruption especially severe.
Foreign and AI threats grow
  • Article
  • 28 Nov 2025
Cyber espionage and foreign threats were a big topic this month, as the UK continues to focus on beefing up its national security and the resilience of critical infrastructure, operations and services.
Stay up to date with ICAEW podcasts
  • Article
  • 17 Nov 2025
Are you really prepared for a cyber attack? Should we compensate whistleblowers? What is coming in the Finance Bill? Stay in the loop on accountancy’s hot topics with podcasts from the ICAEW. 
International Trade Week: How volatile geopolitics is affecting customs compliance
  • Article
  • 05 Nov 2025
SMEs must include measures to comply with the world’s complex web of trade rules in their risk-management control environment, says a senior economist.
How do you become cyber certified?
  • Article
  • 31 Oct 2025
There are several standards and certifications for businesses to follow when it comes to cyber security. What are they, and how do you get the certifications?
Cyber resilience strategy: how to create and stress test a plan
  • Article
  • 30 Oct 2025
Increasingly seen as a vital component of a company’s trustworthiness, a cyber resilience plan must be tailored to the nature of the business and be easy to put into action.
Can you operate without your IT?
  • Article
  • 30 Oct 2025
As we come to the end of Cyber Security Awareness Month, our regular monthly cyber round-up explores the big stories and highlights news you may have missed.
ICAEW member insights October 2025: mixed bag for manufacturing
  • Article
  • 30 Oct 2025
Members expressed views in line with the latest Business Confidence Monitor results, though there were some small positive signs in specific sectors.

Guidance

Read our latest guidance on cyber security.
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
  • 19 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.
Cyber security: How to keep your organisation safe and secure online
  • Article
  • 23 May 2023
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.
Is your business cyber secure?
  • Article
  • 24 Feb 2023
A guide to protecting your accountancy business from cyber-attacks.
Exclusive CPL guidance form
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 11 May 2022
  • PDF (1,740kb)
Application guidance for Higher Education Institutions - Credit for prior learning.
How to audit operational resilience
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 12 Feb 2021
In this second paper on operational resilience, we will look at how to develop the audit approach.
ICAEW Know-How: Personal data breaches
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 01 Jan 2020
  • PDF (563kb)
The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) came into force on 25 May 2018 to replace the Data Protection Act 1998. It sits alongside the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This guide is part of a series that explain some of the new or more difficult concepts introduced by the DPA 2018 and the GDPR.
Cyber attack response plan
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 07 Mar 2019
This guide provides an overview of a cyber attack response plan. Organisations of all sizes and types should download this plan today in readiness for when a cyber incident takes place. This will help reduce your business risk and improve business resiliency.

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Webinars and recordings

View our webinars on the topic of cyber security.
How to bounce back from a cyber attack
  • Podcast
  • 14 Oct 2025
In this episode, we discuss how prepared organisations really are for cyber attacks, what to do if and when your business is affected, and how to manage the communications challenges.
Cyber security essentials - Insights from City of London Police
  • Webinar
  • 08 Oct 2025
By combining expert guidance from the City of London Police’s Cyber Griffin team with real-world examples and practical advice, this event is designed to empower members with the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves and their organisations from cyber attacks.
Exclusive M&S and Co-op cyber incidents — why do they matter to you?
  • Webinar
  • 23 Jun 2025
This webinar examines the details of recent high-profile cyber incidents, exploring what happened and why. Our experts explain how to apply the learnings from these incidents to your own organisations.
Guarding against the AI cyber crimewave
  • Podcast
  • 18 Oct 2024
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss how the use of new technologies by criminals is putting businesses at risk.
ICAEW/CIPFA dual membership, cyber security trends, and economic renewal
  • Podcast
  • 03 Nov 2023
In this episode, we explain how ICAEW members can apply for dual membership with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and much more.
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.
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.
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.

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.

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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