IT Support for Financial Services & Wealth Management
We design, deliver and manage secure cloud infrastructure for FCA-regulated financial services firms, so your IT is an advantage, not an overhead. Independent Azure and Microsoft 365 architects, remote-first, UK-wide.
Independent Cloud & Security Architects | Cyber Essentials | Co-Managed IT
What Financial Services Firms Need to Get Right:
- FCA compliance requirements for technology security and client data protection (SYSC 13.9)
- Client money rules (CASS) requiring robust systems and controls for safeguarding client funds
- Cyber security threats targeting financial firms for client data and banking credentials
- Remote working security for advisors accessing client portfolios and sensitive financial data
- PI insurance requirements increasingly expecting Cyber Essentials certification
We're independent. Nothing to resell, no agenda, no surprise bills. We've already built and run secure, FCA-ready infrastructure for regulated firms, so you get the shortcut past the mistakes, not an experiment on your business.
Not sure which tier fits your business? Book a free 20-minute consultation - we'll assess your setup and recommend the right fit. No pressure, no sales pitch.
Why Financial Services Firms Need Security-First IT
of UK businesses were hit by a cyber attack in the last year
average cost of an impactful breach for a UK business
of attacks start with phishing
Financial Services Firms Hold High-Value Data That Criminals Target:
🎯 Client Investment Data & Banking Credentials
Wire fraud, fraudulent payment redirects, and credential theft targeting your clients' investment accounts and banking access through compromised advisor accounts.
💰 Client Money & Fund Access
Criminals target financial firms to redirect client funds, manipulate investment transactions, or steal client money held under CASS regulations.
📊 Confidential Financial Plans & Portfolios
High-net-worth client portfolios, estate planning strategies, and confidential financial data, information that can be ransomed or exploited for insider trading.
⚠️ Regulatory Breach Consequences
Data breaches don't just cost money, they trigger FCA investigations, ICO fines, mandatory breach notifications, and can result in loss of permissions to operate.
The FCA Takes IT Security Seriously
FCA SYSC 13.9 requires firms to "take reasonable steps to ensure continuity and regularity in the performance of its regulated activities" including "appropriate and proportionate systems and security access protocols." Basic IT support won't satisfy these requirements, you need security-first architecture.
Under CASS rules, if client money is lost due to inadequate IT security, your firm is liable. The FCA has fined firms for failing to have adequate systems and controls.
Reactive IT support is insufficient. Financial services firms need proactive security architecture that prevents breaches before they happen.
We're independent cloud and security architects who happen to provide support, not a support company dabbling in security. We've already built and run this, so you get the shortcut past the mistakes.
Why Financial Services Firms Choose HiltDigital
We're not another generic MSP offering commodity IT support. We're cloud security specialists who understand the unique regulatory requirements of FCA-regulated financial services firms.
Security-First Architecture
We design infrastructure around FCA compliance (SYSC 13.9), CASS client money rules, and client data protection, not as afterthoughts, but as foundational requirements. Multi-layered security that contains breaches, two-step verification for all access, and ransomware-proof backups are standard, not optional extras.
Cloud-Native Specialists
We're Microsoft cloud security specialists. We design secure remote access that lets your advisors work from anywhere while protecting client investment data. Your portfolio management systems (Xplan, Intelliflo, Salesforce Financial Services Cloud) remain secure whether you're at your desk, meeting clients, or working from home, with bank-grade security protecting every connection.
Co-Managed IT Model
We work alongside your existing IT resources. We don't demand you fire your current IT person or provider. You keep existing relationships for day-to-day support; we provide the specialist security and cloud architecture layer. This hybrid approach gives you enterprise-grade security without losing responsive local support.
Proactive Monitoring, Not Reactive Support
Round-the-clock monitoring catches threats your team would never see: ransomware blocked at 2am on Sunday while you sleep. We identify and neutralize security threats before they impact your firm or compromise client funds. When wire fraud attempts target your accounts, our systems block it automatically, you won't even know it happened.
Financial Services Specialists
We understand FCA compliance requirements, CASS client money rules, GDPR for financial data, and PI insurance requirements. When your portfolio management system goes down during market hours or quarter-end reporting, we treat it as the emergency it is.
Compliance Specialists
run to Cyber Essentials standards (we practice what we preach), FCA compliance support, GDPR/ICO guidance, and documentation for PI insurers and regulatory audits. We don't just implement security. We provide the evidence documentation the FCA and your insurers require.
The difference: Commodity MSPs wait for your call when things break. We prevent the problems that destroy financial services firms during critical market events and regulatory audits.
Ready to See Where You Stand?
Choose your starting point:
The Co-Managed IT Model: Work With Your Existing IT
Many financial services firms already have IT relationships, an internal IT person, a local break-fix provider, or informal arrangements with tech-savvy staff members. We don't ask you to fire them.
Instead, we work alongside your existing IT resources in a co-managed model. Think of it as having both a GP and a specialist consultant: your existing IT handles day-to-day support (password resets, printer issues, basic troubleshooting), while we provide the specialist layer for cloud security architecture, compliance, and strategic infrastructure.
Your Existing IT Handles:
- Day-to-day user support requests
- Password resets and account unlocks
- Basic software troubleshooting
- Hardware setup (laptops, printers)
- Local network issues
- User training on software
Responsive, knows your team, handles immediate needs
We Provide:
- Cloud security architecture (Azure, M365)
- Cyber Essentials certification
- continuous threat monitoring & incident response
- Strategic IT planning & infrastructure design
- FCA compliance documentation (SYSC 13.9, CASS)
- Ransomware protection & disaster recovery
- Portfolio management software security (Xplan, Intelliflo)
- Cloud migration & modernisation projects
Specialist expertise, proactive security, compliance focus
Why This Model Works for Financial Services Firms:
✓ Keep Existing Relationships
Don't lose your responsive local IT person. They know your team, understand your workflows, and provide immediate support when needed.
✓ Enterprise-Grade Security Without Enterprise Costs
You get bank-grade security architecture and FCA compliance expertise without hiring a full-time CISO or security team.
✓ Clear Escalation Path
When your existing IT encounters security or cloud infrastructure issues beyond their expertise, they escalate to us. No finger-pointing, just collaboration.
✓ Flexible Engagement
If you don't have existing IT resources, we can provide comprehensive coverage. If you have a strong IT team but need specialist security expertise, we fill that gap. The model adapts to your needs.
How This Typically Works:
A wealth management firm with a part-time IT contractor handling support tickets adds the security layer: secure cloud desktops for remote client meetings, Cyber Essentials certification for PI insurance requirements, ransomware protection, and FCA-compliant documentation. The existing IT contractor continues handling day-to-day support, users keep the same responsive contact they're comfortable with, while we handle the architecture, monitoring, and regulatory compliance the contractor isn't set up to provide.
The outcome: responsive day-to-day support alongside enterprise-grade security that satisfies FCA requirements.
Cloud Infrastructure for Modern Financial Services Firms
We're not IT support providers who've learned some cloud buzzwords. We're Azure and Microsoft 365 architects who design secure, FCA-compliant cloud infrastructure specifically for financial services firms handling sensitive client investments and personal financial data.
Our Cloud Architecture Philosophy:
Financial services firms require more than "cloud migration": you need secure remote access for advisors, client data protection that satisfies FCA requirements, and infrastructure that integrates with portfolio management systems while meeting CASS client money rules. We design this from the ground up.
☁️ Secure Cloud Desktops for Financial Advisors
The challenge: Advisors need secure access to client portfolios, investment platforms, and sensitive financial data from home offices, client meetings, and while traveling, without exposing your systems to security risks.
Our solution: We provide secure cloud desktops (Azure Virtual Desktop) with bank-grade security for remote access. Your advisors get a secure workspace they can access from anywhere, but client investment data never touches their personal devices. If a laptop is lost or stolen, your client portfolios remain secure in the cloud.
- Two-step verification (like banking apps) required for all access
- Smart security rules automatically block suspicious login attempts: wrong location, unknown device, or risky behaviour
- Activity logs for FCA compliance and PI claims defence
- Seamless integration with portfolio management systems
📊 Microsoft 365 Security Architecture for Financial Services
We architect Microsoft 365 specifically for FCA-regulated firms, not generic business deployments:
- Stop accidental data leaks: Automatically prevents advisors from accidentally sending client portfolio data to personal email or unauthorized recipients
- Block wire fraud attempts: Advanced email protection stops phishing attacks that trick your staff into redirecting client funds or authorizing fraudulent transactions
- Client data segregation: Properly segregate client data to meet CASS requirements and prevent unauthorized access to client money information
- Respond to FCA requests faster: When the FCA makes an information request or you face a client complaint, we can quickly search and export all relevant communications
Why Cloud Infrastructure is Critical for Financial Services Firms:
Bank-grade security, encryption at rest and in transit, UK data residency, audit logging for FCA compliance and CASS requirements
When ransomware hits, cloud backups mean you're back online in hours, not weeks. Client portfolio access isn't disrupted during critical market events.
Secure access from anywhere. Advisors work from client meetings, home, or while traveling without security compromises or FCA compliance concerns.
No more surprise server replacement bills. Cloud infrastructure has predictable monthly costs and scales as your firm grows.
We're infrastructure architects, not just support technicians. We design secure, scalable cloud environments that enable modern financial services practice while satisfying FCA requirements.
FCA Compliance & Cyber Essentials Certification
Your PI insurer increasingly expects Cyber Essentials. The FCA expects robust information security (SYSC 13.9). CASS rules demand secure systems for client money. We help you achieve all three.
What the FCA Actually Requires
SYSC 13.9 requires firms to "take reasonable steps to ensure continuity and regularity in the performance of its regulated activities" including "appropriate and proportionate systems and security access protocols."
CASS (Client Assets Sourcebook) requires firms holding client money to have "appropriate systems and controls" to safeguard those assets. If client money is lost due to inadequate IT security, your firm is liable.
The problem: "Appropriate systems" is deliberately vague. The FCA doesn't prescribe specific technology, but they do investigate when data breaches occur or client money is compromised. If you can't demonstrate robust security measures were in place, you face regulatory action and potential loss of permissions.
The solution: Cyber Essentials certification provides independent third-party verification that your IT security meets government-backed standards. When the FCA asks "what security measures did you have in place?", you have documented evidence.
Cyber Essentials: What It Means for Financial Services Firms
Cyber Essentials isn't a checkbox exercise, it's a comprehensive security assessment covering five critical controls:
🔥 Boundary Firewalls & Internet Gateways
What it means: Your network perimeter is properly protected against external attacks attempting to access client investment data.
What we check: Firewalls configured correctly, unnecessary ports closed, secure remote access properly implemented for advisors.
⚙️ Secure Configuration
What it means: Devices and software are configured to reduce security vulnerabilities that could expose client portfolios.
What we check: Default passwords changed, unnecessary services disabled, security settings properly configured on all systems including portfolio management software.
👤 Access Control
What it means: Only authorized people can access your systems and client investment data.
What we check: Strong passwords enforced, multi-factor authentication deployed, user accounts reviewed regularly, leavers' access removed promptly, admin privileges restricted.
🦠 Malware Protection
What it means: Comprehensive protection against ransomware, viruses, and other malicious software targeting financial firms.
What we check: Endpoint protection deployed on all devices, up-to-date anti-malware, automated scanning, email attachment protection against wire fraud attempts.
🔄 Patch Management
What it means: Software vulnerabilities are fixed promptly before criminals can exploit them to access client funds.
What we check: Operating systems patched within 14 days, applications updated regularly, portfolio management software maintained, end-of-life software identified and replaced.
Why PI Insurers Are Asking About Cyber Essentials
More PI insurers now ask about Cyber Essentials or equivalent security measures as part of underwriting and claims. Critical: if you suffer a data breach or wire fraud incident and can't demonstrate reasonable security measures were in place, your PI insurer may reject or reduce a claim. Certification gives you the documented evidence to point to.
Our Cyber Essentials Implementation Process
Security Assessment (Week 1)
We audit your current infrastructure against CE+ requirements and FCA expectations, identifying gaps and creating a prioritised remediation plan.
Gap Remediation (Weeks 2-4)
We implement required security controls: configure firewalls, deploy multi-factor authentication, fix patch management, secure configurations. Work happens behind the scenes while you continue serving clients.
Internal Testing (Week 5)
We conduct internal checks to ensure all controls work correctly before the official assessment.
External Assessment (Week 6-8)
Independent certification body conducts hands-on technical verification. We coordinate the assessment, provide evidence, and address any findings.
Certification & Ongoing Compliance
You receive CE+ certification (valid for 12 months). We maintain ongoing compliance and handle annual recertification.
Typical timeline: 6-8 weeks from starting to achieving certification. Faster if your infrastructure is already cloud-based, longer if significant remediation is required.
What Cyber Essentials Certification Gives You:
Investment in Security-First IT for Your Firm
Transparent, predictable monthly pricing. No hidden fees, no surprise invoices. Security-first IT infrastructure designed for financial services firms handling sensitive client portfolios.
H-Protect Essentials
Core protection for smaller practices
Essential security foundations
- Endpoint monitoring & patching
- Device backup
- Ransomware protection
- Remote support quota
5-user minimum
Note: Does not include helpdesk support or security tools (Keeper, vulnerability management)
H-Protect Standard
Complete security for financial services
Full security stack with helpdesk
- Helpdesk support (senior engineers, no offshore call queues)
- EDR endpoint protection on all devices
- Email security & anti-phishing
- Proactive patching & updates
- Endpoint & SaaS backups
- Microsoft 365 management
- Monthly security scorecard
- Dark web monitoring
10-user minimum
H-Protect Complete
Premium security with Continuous monitoring
SOC monitoring (available as a paid upgrade) + compliance support
- Everything in H-Protect Standard, plus:
- Continuous security monitoring, actioned in working hours
- Vulnerability management (continuous)
- Regular phishing simulation exercises
- Priority support & SLA
- Cyber Essentials preparation support
10-user minimum
Add-On: User Cyber Training
Available as an add-on
Monthly security awareness training with simulated phishing campaigns, since 85% of attacks start with phishing, this is essential when your staff handle client investment portfolios and sensitive financial data.
Fast Start
Onboarding is scheduled so your protection lands fast
What's NOT Included (Transparency)
We believe in clear pricing. These are separate costs you'll need to budget for:
- Microsoft 365 licensing - typically £10-20/user/month depending on your plan (Business Basic, Standard, or Premium)
- Azure consumption - if using Azure Virtual Desktop or cloud infrastructure, usage costs go direct to Microsoft
- Hardware - laptops, monitors, printers etc. are your responsibility (we can advise and procure)
- Platform/back-office systems - your portfolio management, back-office, and financial planning software licenses
Our pricing covers the security, management, and support layer, not your underlying software licenses or infrastructure.
Why This Investment Makes Sense
Cost of Getting It Wrong
- Breach recovery, remediation, and downtime
- FCA investigation time and cost
- Potential client compensation claims
- Regulatory fines: unlimited
- Increased PI insurance premiums
- Lost clients and reputation damage
The average impactful breach costs a UK business £8,260 (DSIT 2025), before regulatory and reputational fallout
Cost of Getting It Right
- Continuous protection and monitoring
- Tested backup recovery
- Compliance documentation for FCA and PI insurance
- Peace of mind during market volatility
Predictable, budgeted, and built to prevent the incident in the first place
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we hear from financial services firms considering security-first IT infrastructure:
What IT support do financial services firms actually need?
FCA-regulated financial services firms need security-first IT infrastructure, not reactive break-fix support. This includes: secure cloud architecture (Azure Virtual Desktop or Microsoft 365), proactive threat monitoring, ransomware protection, Cyber Essentials certification support, FCA compliance documentation (SYSC 13.9), and strategic IT planning. Generic IT support lacks the financial services knowledge and security expertise required for modern firms handling sensitive client investments and meeting FCA requirements.
We already have an IT person/company. Can you work with them?
Yes - this is our co-managed model. Your existing IT handles day-to-day support (user issues, basic troubleshooting, password resets). We provide the specialist layer: cloud security architecture, Azure expertise, Cyber Essentials certification support, threat monitoring, and strategic infrastructure planning. Think of us as the escalation tier for security and cloud projects your current IT can't handle. Most clients keep their existing IT relationships and add us for specialist expertise.
How much does IT support cost for a financial services firm?
Security-first IT infrastructure for financial services firms is priced as one monthly number for your whole business, agreed before we start and shaped by the level of protection you need. You get the exact number in the first conversation, before anything begins.
Do financial services firms need cyber security or is antivirus enough?
Antivirus alone is dangerously insufficient and won't satisfy FCA requirements or PI insurers. Financial services firms are prime targets because of client investment data, banking access, and fund transfer capabilities. Modern threats require multi-layered security: proactive threat monitoring, email phishing protection (especially wire fraud), ransomware-proof backups, MFA enforcement, and security awareness training. Cyber Essentials certification is increasingly expected by the FCA and required by many PI insurers.
What's the difference between your service and cheaper MSPs?
Commodity MSPs sell reactive break-fix support. They fix things after they break. We're cloud security specialists, priced as one monthly number, who prevent problems through proactive architecture. The difference: they wait for your call when something breaks; we call you when we've already fixed it. They treat security as an add-on; we build security-first infrastructure. They're generalists; we specialise in professional services and regulated firms. Yes, we cost more - but wire fraud recovery is costly, triggers FCA investigations, and can result in PI insurance claim rejection.
Can you help with Cyber Essentials certification?
Yes - this is core to what we do. Many PI insurers now require Cyber Essentials, and it provides strong evidence of meeting FCA SYSC 13.9 requirements for "appropriate systems." We implement the technical controls required (boundary firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, patch management), prepare for the assessment, provide evidence documentation, and maintain ongoing compliance. We run our own environment to Cyber Essentials standards - we practice what we preach. Typical timeline: 6-12 weeks from starting to achieving certification.
How do you ensure FCA compliance for IT systems?
The FCA requires firms to ensure systems are "appropriate and proportionate" (SYSC 13.9). We provide: documented security controls and policies, access control systems (who can access what client data), audit logging for FCA investigations, encryption for data at rest and in transit, incident response procedures, regular security reviews, and Cyber Essentials certification as independent verification. When the FCA investigates, you have documented evidence your IT security was robust.
What happens during critical periods like market volatility or quarter-end?
We understand financial services deadlines and market events are non-negotiable. Critical issues (portfolio management system down, email outage during market hours, ransomware attack) receive fast response year-round. We also provide emergency after-hours support for deadline-critical work. When your systems go down during market hours or quarter-end reporting, we're available - including emergency weekend support. We schedule infrastructure maintenance outside critical periods. Round-the-clock SOC coverage is available as a paid upgrade.
Can you migrate us to the cloud or do we need our on-premise server?
Most financial services firms benefit significantly from cloud migration to Azure Virtual Desktop or Microsoft 365. Benefits: secure access from anywhere (home, client meetings, conferences), no more server hardware to maintain, automatic backups, better disaster recovery for business continuity, easier FCA compliance documentation, and reduced technology debt. We assess your current infrastructure, design the cloud architecture (including portfolio management system integration), migrate your data securely, and train your team. Note: Azure and Microsoft 365 licensing costs are separate from our management fees.
Do you support our portfolio management system?
Yes. We support all major financial services software platforms: Xplan, Intelliflo, Salesforce Financial Services Cloud, FE fundinfo (FundsNetwork), Adviser Platform (Quilter), Transact, Aviva Platform, and Paraplanner. Whether cloud-hosted or on-premise, we architect secure access, implement backups, design disaster recovery, and ensure integration with your wider Microsoft 365 environment. We don't provide training on the software itself - your platform vendor handles that - but we ensure it's secure, backed up, and integrated properly.
What if something goes wrong outside office hours?
Standard support hours are 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday-Friday. We provide emergency after-hours support for critical issues, especially during market hours or quarter-end periods. Critical issues = portfolio management system down, ransomware attack, or any incident that prevents deadline-critical work or market access. Emergency contact details are provided to all clients. Our monitoring systems alert us to threats around the clock. Round-the-clock SOC coverage is available as a paid upgrade.
How quickly can you get started with our firm?
You're fully protected within days of signing up, not months. Timeline breakdown: Security deployment: Core protection active within 48 hours. Full stabilisation: complete security stack deployed within days. Cloud migration projects: 2-4 weeks for assessment, planning, migration, and cutover. Cyber Essentials standards: 6-12 weeks to implement and evidence the controls. We start with a no-cost review to understand your current infrastructure, identify risks, and create a prioritised roadmap.
Get a Straight Review of Where You Stand
We'll review your current IT infrastructure, identify security risks and compliance gaps, and provide a no-obligation roadmap tailored to your firm.
Infrastructure Security Review
Comprehensive assessment of your current setup: servers, cloud services, backup systems, and access controls.
Risk Identification
We identify vulnerabilities: weak passwords, missing MFA, unpatched systems, ransomware exposure, and compliance gaps.
Compliance Gap Analysis
Review against Cyber Essentials requirements, FCA SYSC 13.9, CASS client money rules, and PI insurance requirements.
Prioritised Roadmap
Clear action plan: what to fix immediately (critical risks), what to plan (strategic improvements), and estimated investment.
Don't wait for a security incident to force action. Book your review today.
