2026 Fraud & Cybersecurity Conference - Virtual
8.0 Credits
Member Price $415.00
Non-Member Price $565.00
Overview
New! Cybersecurity Awareness Month Featured Event
The threats are evolving, are you? Fraudsters are getting smarter, attacks are becoming more frequent and AI is weaponizing cybercrime in ways we’ve never seen. For CPAs, CFOs and risk leaders, "awareness" isn't just a buzzword, it's your primary line of defense.
Join our live expert presenters online to master the practical strategies needed to protect your clients, your organization and your professional reputation.
The event’s agenda will cover:
- AI-Powered Attacks:Understand exactly how criminals are using artificial intelligence to scale their operations.
- The Fraud Landscape:A deep dive into the latest schemes targeting organizations right now.
- Response Tactics: Learn the practical steps to detect and respond to ransomware and data breaches.
Earn 8 hours of CPE while gaining high-impact, actionable intelligence.
Stop the risk before it starts…secure your seat today!
The event's On24 platform allows you to join from your home or office, ensuring easy access to all sessions. We look forward to connecting with you online for a memorable and enriching experience.
CPE Credit:
This group-live (non-self-study) program is designed to qualify for CPE credit under the CPE Guidelines established by the Florida Board of Accountancy under the FL DBPR.
$tack the $avings!
In addition to FICPA member discounts, you can save uyp to 15% when registering groups of five or more from the same organization. Contact FICPA Member Services at MSC@ficpa.org or call 850-224-2727 ext. 1 for details.
FICPA Members save even more. Not a member? Join today at FICPA.org/Join
Social Media
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Cancellation Policy
We love to see you commit to the Virtual Fraud and Cybersecurity Conference early, but know sometimes life forces schedules to change. If that happens, you have options. Please let our member services team know which option you select below:
- Receive a full refund to your original payment method, transfer your balance to a future event, or place money on account by canceling before October 22, 2026. Call or email MSC at MSC@ficpa.org or call 850-224-2727 ext. 1
- Receive a partial refund to your original payment method, transfer your balance to a future event, or place money on account, minus the event cancellation fee of $55 by cancelling on or after October 22, 2026. Call or email MSC at MSC@ficpa.org or call 850-224-2727 ext. 1
Please review the FICPA CPE Policies for additional information : CPE Policies
Highlights
- Fraud
- Cybersecurity
- AI, Chat GPT
Prerequisites
This conference is open to all levels with an interest in cyber and fraud risks impacting the accounting profession.
Designed For
This conference is designed for CPAs, CFOs, controllers, accountants, and other professionals working in any industry which could be impacted by cyber risks or fraud.
Objectives
This conference will address the current Fraud and Cyber trends impacting the accounting industry. Audience members will gain practical knowledge and skills to implement in their practice or organization.
Preparation
None
Notice
This is a live virtual event.
Thursday, October 29th
General Session
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals Every CPA and Organization Must Know
Paul Harrison Jr, Manager, Cyber Risk Consulting, RSM US LLPPaul Harrison Jr
Paul Harrison provides cybersecurity assessment and consultation services to a variety of technology and financial entities. Paul’s experience includes program development and implementation. He focuses primarily on banking, insurance, and other financial institutions. Paul has 10 years of combined experience working within a Fortune 100 technology company and consulting. Paul is a national leader in RSM’s technical cyber internal audit practice and cyber subject matter expert in the policy, standard, and procedure development practice.
In this session audience members will:
- Identify core cybersecurity concepts, common threat types, and control fundamentals that every CPA and organization should understand to assess cyber risk effectively.
- Recognize how cybersecurity risks impact financial reporting, internal controls, compliance obligations, and enterprise risk management.
- Apply practical cybersecurity fundamentals to evaluate governance, policies, and safeguards within an organization, including how management can reduce cyber-related business risk.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Cyber Threats & AI in the Real World: Cybersecurity Fundamentals and the CPA Playbook After a Breach
Ryan Hodapp, Managing Director Cybersecurity Assurance, Ernst & Young LLPRyan Hodapp
Ryan Hodapp is a Managing Director in EY’s Technology Risk Cybersecurity Assurance practice, specializing in cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory assurance. With more than 19 years of experience across public and private sectors, he advises organizations on navigating complex cyber risk and compliance challenges in today’s evolving threat landscape.
Ryan is a leader in emerging cybersecurity regulatory requirements, including the California Consumer Privacy Act cybersecurity audit framework, where he has helped organizations assess and strengthen their cybersecurity programs and prepare for independent regulatory audits.
Known for his ability to translate technical detail into executive-level insight, Ryan frequently works with boards and senior leadership to enhance cyber resilience, improve incident response readiness, and align cybersecurity strategy with enterprise risk objectives.
A practical session on today’s evolving cyber threats—including AI-driven attacks—and the essential fundamentals and practical responses organizations must take after a data breach.
- Identify the most common cyber risks and attack paths impacting organizations today.
- Explain how AI is changing attacker capabilities and what that means for detection and prevention.
- Apply a practical first-response checklist after a suspected breach to reduce business, legal, and reputational impact.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- TBD
Credits: 1 - To Be Determined
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Trust but Verify: Third Parties & Cybersecurity Risk
Garrett Fulton, Risk Control Consultant, Cyber, CNA InsuranceGarrett Fulton
Garrett is an experienced Senior Information Security Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. He is skilled in penetration testing, information security governance, risk management and communication. He is a strong information technology professional with a Bachelors focused in Computer Networking Information Technology from Purdue University.
Picture this: Your firm experiences a data breach and client data is exposed. Upon investigation, you learn the incident originated at a third-party vendor, rather than your own system. You learn the hard way how crucial vendor management is.
This session begins with an overview of the evolving cybersecurity landscape and an accounting firm’s responsibilities related to the protection of client information. Next, you’ll hear about questions to ask and documentation to request when vetting third-party vendors. Finally, we’ll discuss how contractual terms may be utilized to help mitigate vendor-related risks.
- Recognize common cybersecurity risks to accounting firms that are posed by third parties.
- Describe an accounting firm’s responsibilities for protecting confidential client information when using third-party service providers.
- Identify key questions and documentation to request when evaluating third-party cybersecurity risk.
- Recognize contractual provisions that may help allocate risk between third parties and the accounting firm.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- AI Without Guardrails: The Silent Risk Facing Every CPA Firm
Scott Hagizadegan, Founder and CEO, Shield IT Networks, Inc.Scott Hagizadegan
Scott Hagizadegan is the CEO and Founder of Shield IT Networks, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions for businesses of all sizes. With over 27 years of experience helping clients—from startups to Fortune 500 companies like Ernst & Young, Guitar Center, and Don Roberto Jewelers—Scott has built a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions tailored to the needs of his clients.
Under Scott’s leadership, Shield IT Networks has helped CPA firm leaders strengthen their cybersecurity posture through proactive measures, ensuring compliance and protection against evolving threats. Guided by his philosophy of “Profit with Purpose,” Scott reinvests business profits into philanthropic projects worldwide, supporting orphanages and children’s education through computer labs and leadership programs.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how fraud is committed, making attacks more convincing, faster and harder to detect. In this session, we will break down how AI is being used in real-world fraud schemes targeting accounting professionals, including phishing, impersonation and business email compromise. Attendees will learn how these attacks work, what warning signs to look for and practical steps to better detect and prevent fraud within their firms and client engagements.
- Understand how AI is changing modern fraud tactics.
- Identify key warning signs of fraud attempts.
- Evaluate gaps in traditional detection methods.
- Apply practical steps to improve fraud detection and prevention.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Digital Forensics: Following the Money Trail
Credits: 1 - To Be Determined
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- E-Discovery: Cutting Through the Noise
Sean Leonard, Digital Forensic Examiner, Manager, Forvis MazarsSean Leonard
Sean is a manager in the Forensics practice at Forvis Mazars and brings more than 10 years of experience in digital forensics. He specializes in imaging, extracting, and analyzing data across digital devices, email platforms, social media, cloud accounts, and other types of electronically stored information. From recovering deleted files to building a forensic trail that proves wrongdoing, his work supports clients across intellectual property theft, hacking and malware incidents, improper computer use, financial fraud, family law, personal injury, and worker compensation matters.
He also manages the eDiscovery practice to assist in document and email review. He deals with a variety of matters including, but not limited to, forensic accounting investigations, data breach & notification support, legal discovery, and internal investigations.
Sean is an EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), a Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst (CCPA), and holds a GIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics (GASF) certification.
Sean is a graduate of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, with a B.S. degree in digital forensics and a minor in criminal justice. He also holds an M.S. in digital forensic sciences from Champlain College.
As fraud and cybersecurity matters generate larger, more complex ESI data sets, e-discovery tools help cut through the noise and surface the facts that matter most. They allow teams to handle incidents more effectively, focus faster on what is relevant, and move matters in the right direction. In this session audience members will:
- Understand how e-discovery tools support fraud and cybersecurity investigations involving large ESI data sets.
- Identify ways e-discovery tools help surface relevant communications, documents, and key facts more efficiently.
- Recognize how e-discovery workflows can improve speed, defensibility, and cost-effectiveness in complex matters.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- TBD
Credits: 1 - To Be Determined
This session is available to registrants only.
Non-Member Price $565.00
Member Price $415.00