Free cyber-security course: help protect yourselves and clients from cyber-attacks

Tax advisers deal with sensitive client information daily and can be a target for cyber-attacks. The Information Security Breaches Survey 2014, commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), found that 81% of large organisations and 60% of small businesses had suffered a security breach in the previous year.

A free online training course has been developed by government and industry (including ICAEW and the Law Society) for lawyers and accountants to help raise awareness and understanding of this area. It provides guidance on how companies can better protect their data and tackle the risks associated with information security. There are four modules: 

1. an introduction that describes the risks and impacts on business and individuals;
2. responsibilities and legal requirements (such as data protection);
3. how to manage the cyber risk, including where businesses can find help from government and the private sector; and
4. scenarios, including best practice responses to cyber incidents and risks associated with new technologies.

Understanding, anticipating and managing cyber-security risks is crucial for all advisers, so the CIOT and ATT recommend completing this course. It can be accessed on the ICAEW website.