Table of Contents
2026: The Six Defining Challenges for the Office of the CFO — Blog Series (2 of 6)
As digital transformation accelerates, cybersecurity has become one of the most significant financial risks facing organisations today. In 2026, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern — it is a core responsibility of the CFO. With Gartner confirming that over 75% of CFOs now hold accountability for data strategy, the financial ramifications of poor cybersecurity have never been higher.
Why Cyber Risk Is Now a CFO Priority
Recent high-profile breaches show the staggering consequences of failing to protect critical systems and data:
- Jaguar Land Rover: A ransomware attack projected to cost £1.9 billion in lost production, supply chain disruption, and operational downtime.
- Marks & Spencer: Cyber-related disruption contributed to profits before tax collapsing 99% in the first half of the year — from £391.9m to £3.4m.
These incidents underscore a new reality: cybersecurity failures directly impact financial continuity, investor confidence, valuation, and corporate resilience.
The Expanding Role of the CFO
Finance teams now play a central role in:
- Ensuring data integrity
- Protecting financial systems
- Supporting enterprise-wide recovery
- Evaluating risk exposure
- Maintaining regulatory compliance
Cyber incidents no longer affect just IT infrastructure — they hit cash flow, reporting cycles, and the ability to operate.
How Acterys Supports Financial Security
Acterys takes this risk extremely seriously. Its architecture supports SOC 2 Type II compliance, providing enterprise-grade protection for financial and operational data. This allows CFOs and CIOs to adopt cloud, AI, and analytics with confidence — without compromising governance.
Acterys was rated highest in Governance, Risk and Compliance in the latest Info-Tech Research Group EPM Data Quadrant — clear recognition of its security-first approach to enterprise performance management.
The Financial Imperative
As organisations become increasingly data-driven, financial data becomes a primary attack vector. A breach doesn’t just threaten information — it threatens the organisation’s financial stability, reputation, and ability to operate.
GrowCFO Insight
As financial data becomes the backbone of business strategy, cybersecurity has become a non-negotiable pillar of financial leadership.
