If you run a bookkeeping, accounting, or payroll business in the UK, you might be wondering: “Does the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill apply to me?”
The short answer is – not directly (in most cases). But the indirect impact is real, growing, and something small firms can’t afford to ignore.
This blog breaks down what’s in the Bill, why it matters for financial service providers like yours, and how you can stay ahead of the curve.
What is the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill?
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is the UK government’s proposed legislation to improve the cyber defences of critical infrastructure, essential services, and the businesses that support them.
It updates existing rules (like the NIS Regulations 2018) and brings new sectors and suppliers into scope, especially managed service providers, data centres, and critical suppliers in the digital supply chain.
Are Bookkeeping and Payroll Firms Directly Affected?
Most small to medium bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll firms are not directly regulated under the Bill.
You won’t suddenly have a regulator knocking at your door unless you’re:
- Providing managed IT services to other businesses
- Hosting critical cloud software or infrastructure
- A key supplier to a regulated entity (like the NHS or a utility company)
So, if you’re mainly handling client accounts, tax returns, payroll, and financial reports then you’re not directly in the firing line.
But You Are in the Firing Line Indirectly
While you’re not the primary target of the legislation, the knock-on effects are coming:
1. Client Expectations Are Changing
Regulated businesses (e.g. healthcare, energy, government) are under pressure to prove their cyber resilience, and that includes checking on your security too.
Expect more:
- Security questionnaires from clients
- Contract clauses about data handling and incident response
- Requests for Cyber Essentials certification
2. Data Breaches Could Trigger Compliance Headaches
If you suffer a data breach that affects a regulated client (for example, if a ransomware attack delays payroll or exposes sensitive employee data), that could now trigger mandatory incident reporting under the new rules, even if you aren’t regulated yourself.
3. You’re Part of the Digital Supply Chain
Bookkeeping and payroll firms use and access:
- Payroll software
- HMRC systems
- Cloud storage
- Email accounts containing sensitive data
That makes you a tempting target for cyber criminals, especially when one compromised login can give access to multiple client accounts.
What Should You Do Now?
Even if the law doesn’t name you, your reputation, client relationships, and business continuity are on the line. Here’s what we recommend:
- Get Cyber Essentials certified — it’s a trusted UK baseline and increasingly a deal-breaker for some clients
- Review how you store, share, and secure client data
- Use MFA (multi-factor authentication) everywhere — email, cloud, accounting platforms
- Create a simple cyber incident response plan
- Back up everything — especially payroll data and client records
- Train your staff to spot phishing emails and scams
Need Help? Book a Free Cyber Security Strategy Session
If you’re unsure where to start, you’re not alone. Many small financial firms are in the same boat.
At Rootwire, we help bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting businesses like yours stay protected. We’ll help you understand the risks, prioritise what matters, and put simple, practical protections in place.
Book a free cyber security strategy session – no pressure, no jargon. Just straight talking advice tailored to your business.