Locked Down: Cybersecurity for Accountants and Financial Professionals

Every file, client record, and email you send holds sensitive financial data — and cybercriminals know it. This session shows you how to protect your systems, secure client trust, and stay one step ahead of data breaches, scams, and ransomware attacks.

3 CPD units 5 December 2025 1 presenter

What will set you apart

By completing this course you will gain the following competencies

Understand the biggest cybersecurity threats facing accounting and finance teams
Learn how hackers target small firms and what simple defences stop them
Secure client data across emails, devices, and cloud platforms
Build habits that reduce risk — passwords, backups, and user access control
Recognise phishing and social engineering tactics before it’s too late
Create a practical cybersecurity checklist for your practice or business

Event breakdown

The rise of financial data breaches in small and medium businesses
Understanding the true cost of a cyberattack — reputational and financial
Legal and professional obligations under POPIA and CIBA standards
Common attack types: phishing, ransomware, and social engineering
Insider threats — unintentional and malicious risks from staff and contractors
Case studies: real-world accounting firm breaches and lessons learned
Securing emails, cloud storage, and shared financial data
Password management, access control, and multi-factor authentication
Backup routines, encryption, and secure file sharing
POPIA compliance and data protection best practices
Drafting and maintaining an IT Security Policy
Monitoring and responding to security incidents
Cybersecurity checklist for accountants and bookkeepers
Affordable tools and systems for small practices
Q&A and group discussion: securing your practice step by step

Category: Technology & InnovationType: CPD CourseCPD category: Technology

Description

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue — it’s a business survival issue. With financial data being one of the most valuable (and targeted) assets online, accountants and bookkeepers must know how to keep it safe. This two-hour session covers the essentials of protecting financial systems from cybercrime, data leaks, and internal errors. You’ll learn how to spot common scams, manage passwords securely, set up access controls, and maintain safe data storage and backup routines. Real-life examples will show how even small lapses can lead to major damage — and how to prevent them. Walk away with a clear action plan and tools to strengthen your practice’s digital defences and client trust.

Presenters

Dr Cornelie Crous — Dr Cornelie Crous CA(SA) - SAICA, Membership number 05149601, Senior Lecturer and Researcher. Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) with over two decades of experience in higher education, corporate governance, financial strategy, and operational efficiency. Proven expertise in strategic planning, risk management, compliance, digital transformation, and aligning financial practices with institutional goals. Effective leader and collaborator with a focus on enhancing stakeholder engagement and driving revenue-generating initiatives.

You will earn a certificate

On successful completion you will receive a certificate for 3 CPD units in Technology.

Requirements

Laptop, desktop, or mobile device with internet access
Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browser