web and mobile fraud
Global accountants increase front line defence on cyber-crime
Such is the perceived threat of cyber-crime that global accountant PwC is strengthening its front line defences with the planned recruitment of more than 1,000 technology specialists in the UK over the next four years in order to meet increasing client demand for digital, regulatory and cyber security services.
The new recruits will work across all industry sectors in London and the UK regions, helping clients address a broad range of issues including cyber security and privacy, data, business systems and technology risk and controls.
This recruitment drive builds on PwC’s earlier announcement regarding plans to hire more than 1,000 data scientists to its Deals business on a global basis, and further highlights the firm’s commitment towards investing in technology following recent acquisitions such as Praxism (a consultancy specialising in identity and access management).
Hemione Hudson, PwC’s UK head of assurance, said: “Business models that have served clients well for decades are being disrupted or destroyed due to the speed of digital disruption, the increase of regulatory scrutiny on technology risks and the escalation of the cyber threat. This requires us to respond and build a strong team of specialists.”
Hudson added: “Our new technology specialists will span from associates to partners and consist of over 600 external hires, more than 400 transfers from around PwC’s international network and over 200 cyber security, data and technology graduate recruits.”
Graduate recruitment programme
The firm’s UK IT Risk Assurance practice has created a new graduate recruitment programme for technology which will see cyber security, data and technology graduates embark on a three-year programme encompassing professional qualifications and aiming to produce the Chief Information Security Officers, Chief Data Officers and Chief Information Officers of the future.
The first intake for the new IT Risk Assurance graduate programme will begin the work stream in September 2016.
Marc Bena, risk assurance partner at PwC, commented: “There’s a real shortage of technology professionals in the UK. Our vision is to recruit and grow the technology leaders of the future in much the same way that we’ve helped grow generations of finance leaders.”
In conclusion, Bena said: “Our clients and their customers want to know that their technology is innovative and pushing boundaries while also being safe and delivering what’s expected. We have a duty to continue to build a team of technology experts that’s able to help our clients conduct their business with absolute confidence.”
