In this episode, we explore the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity and what it means for finance leaders navigating cloud native systems, AI driven disruption, and increasingly complex risk environments. Chair Ken Witt, Associate Technical Director of Research & Development at AICPA & CIMA, is joined by Keven Knight, CEO of Talion; Fabio Colombo, Global Financial Services Cybersecurity Leader at Accenture; and James Dempsey, Managing Director at the IAPP Cybersecurity Law Centre and Senior Policy Advisor at Stanford.

The panel examines why cybersecurity can no longer be viewed as a purely technical issue and how finance leaders are becoming central to risk acceptance, investment decisions, and organisational resilience. They discuss the rising cost and complexity of cyber incidents, the shift from Capex to Opex in security spending, and the growing pressure for real time monitoring across increasingly blurred organisational perimeters.

The conversation also delves into the dual role of AI – both as a powerful accelerator for attackers and a transformative tool for defenders. The guests unpack the risks of shadow AI, the governance challenges of agentic systems capable of financial transactions, and the looming implications of quantum computing for encryption and long term data security. Together, they outline what it will take for organisations to strengthen controls, build resilience, and stay ahead of emerging threats without slowing productivity or innovation.

CONNECT Keven on LinkedIn Fabio on LinkedIn James on LinkedIn Ken on LinkedIn

OTHER RESOURCES

• Essential AI resources for practical use | AICPA&CIMA – Resources Page

• CGMA® Cybersecurity Tool: Risk, Response & Remediation Strategies | CIMA – Cybersecurity Tool

• Cyber Risk, Accountability, and Financial Oversight: Reframing Governance in 2026: A Leadership Brief for CFOs and Boards – Briefing

• World Economic Forum and Accenture Global Cybersecurity Outlook – Report • Transformative Skills Pack: Creative mindset – Report • Partnering with AI: A Strategic Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Excellence – Report • Debut podcast episode: AI's impact on private equity – Blog • Big data and AI: Challenges and opportunities in finance – The Reshaping Finance podcast – Blog • AI for private equity and financial services industry – Podcast • Big data and AI technologies: Fundamentals and Applications – Podcast • Leveraging Non-Financial Data for Long-Term Value – Podcast • Non-financial data drives long-term value: The Reshaping Finance podcast – Blog • Agile Finance: Mastering adaptive budgeting and planning – Podcast • Future-ready with adaptive budgeting: The Reshaping Finance podcast – Blog • Future-proof Finance: Partnering in a Shifting World – Podcast • Co-creating solutions through business partnering – Blog • Future of Finance 2.0: Re-defining finance for a sustainable world – Report • 4 shifts redefining how finance creates sustainable value – Article • Our contemporary issues in Management Accounting – Page • Riding the Waves of Transformation – Article

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