Your Greatest Risk in 2026 Isn’t SARS—The 5 Cyber Threats You need to Know
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Scams, fake emails, deepfakes, and AI-powered fraud. The cyber threats of 2026 aren’t just targeting big tech, they’re coming for your clients, your suppliers, and your accounting systems.
The World Economic Forum’s new Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 reveals just how fast the risk landscape is changing, and why accountants in practice and commerce need to start paying attention. Here’s what you need to know, and what to do about it.
Cyber-enabled fraud is now the top risk for businesses
Forget ransomware, cyber-enabled fraud like fake invoices, phishing emails and payment scams is now the top concern for CEOs globally. And it’s not just theory, 73% of professionals said they or someone in their network were hit by cyber fraud last year.
What this means for you
As an accountant, you’re the last line of defence before money moves. If scammers get past you, it’s your client or your company on the hook.
What to do
✅Watch for sudden changes to payment details.
✅Never trust payment instructions from email alone, call and verify.
✅Teach staff how to spot scam emails, fake invoices, and suspicious links.
AI is helping scammers become more convincing
Artificial Intelligence is now being used to create realistic fake emails, voice messages, and even videos. It’s easier than ever to impersonate a CEO or generate a fake payment request that looks real.
What this means for you
Scammers can now mimic clients, bosses, or suppliers. If you work in payments, payroll, or procurement, you’re a target.
What to do
✅Don’t rush approvals, slow down and double-check.
✅Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for logins.
✅Check if your business has a policy for verifying large payments or new suppliers.
Your supply chain could expose your entire system
Cybercriminals are now going after your vendors and partners, because if they get hacked, they may gain access to you. More attacks now come indirectly, through your suppliers, software vendors, or outsourced service providers. Even if your firm is secure, a weak link elsewhere can expose your data or systems.
What this means for you
If you outsource payroll, tax submissions, or bookkeeping, you’re only as safe as your providers. Even if your own systems are secure, a weak link in your supply chain could open the door.
What to do
✅ Ask vendors about their cyber policies.
✅ Include security terms in contracts.
✅ Make sure they comply with POPIA too, because if they breach, you still carry the risk.
Geopolitical tensions are disrupting digital systems
Cybercrime is now part of political conflict. Critical infrastructure and cloud services are being targeted globally. The WEF report shows that only 43% of CEOs believe their country could handle a major cyberattack.
What this means for you
If your systems go offline, or a supplier in another country gets hacked, your business could be affected even if you’re not the target.
What to do
✅Backup financial data regularly.
✅Check where your client data is stored.
✅Build contingency plans for outages, delays, or data loss. Ensure your systems can function even during a provider outage.
There’s a major cyber skills gap, especially in Africa
In regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, most CEOs say they don’t have the skilled people they need to stay safe online. This makes smaller firms and public institutions especially vulnerable.
What this means for you
You can’t afford to assume someone else is handling cybersecurity. Every team member needs basic awareness.
What to do
✅Train your staff on common scams and how to respond.
✅Consider getting outside help for IT security if you don’t have in-house experts.
Final thoughts: Cybersecurity is now your business
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue. It’s a business risk, a compliance issue, and in many cases, a personal liability for accountants. When you’re advising SMEs, working in a finance team, or running your own practice, these threats impact you.
