K2’s Practical Security Considerations For Accounting Professionals - PANEL DISCUSSION

Cybercriminals increasingly target accounting professionals because they control access to some of the most valuable financial data in the economy. CPA firms and corporate accounting departments routinely manage tax returns, payroll data, banking credentials, and confidential financial records. Exactly the information attackers want. At the same time, the threat landscape is changing rapidly. Ransomware attacks, business email compromise schemes, AI-generated phishing messages, and deepfake impersonation scams are now common tools for bypassing traditional security defenses. Regulators are responding with heightened expectations around safeguarding financial data, including requirements such as the FTC Safeguards Rule, IRS Section 7216 protections for taxpayer information, and formal Written Information Security Plans (WISPs). This panel-led session translates cybersecurity and fraud risks into practical actions that accounting professionals can implement immediately. Participants will review real-world fraud and cybercrime risks, evaluate modern attack techniques, including AI-enabled social engineering, and examine how control failures often enable breaches and financial losses. The course also addresses the accountant’s role in security governance, regulatory compliance, and ethical leadership. Attendees will leave with a practical framework and security checklist designed to strengthen internal controls, protect client data, and reduce exposure to fraud and cyberattacks.