BDO bolsters risk advisory team

Cyber security and technology risk specialist Leon Fouche has joined BDO’s Brisbane risk advisory team, in an attempt to offer an enhanced suite of solutions regarding information loss and system disruptions.

Mr Fouche is an active member in the Australian cyber security community and recently led G20 cyber security assessments and preparations for both government and private sector companies.

His appointment follows the addition of business systems and risk assurance specialist Sharee Bartlett to the team in late 2015.

Marita Corbett, BDO’s national leader for risk advisory services, said there is a growing demand in the market for consultancy on technology-related risks.

“The short and long-term effects of cyber security incidents can be devastating to organisations and their broader stakeholders, operationally, financially, and from regulatory and reputational perspectives,” Ms Corbett said.

“Not only are boards and executives trying to balance the efficiency benefits of technology-based business systems with the risks, they are facing increasing accountability including possible future legislation to manage these better,” she added.

“While governments are certainly prime targets for cyber crime, all entity forms are becoming more cyber-dependent and criminals becoming increasingly sophisticated in the ways they target them,” Mr Fouche noted.

“The ability to detect and respond to cyber attacks is critical for all businesses, and requires both an understanding of current cyber security threats as well as collaboration across industry on cyber threats.”