Six Ways to Help Protect Your Firm from a Cybersecurity Breach WHAT HAPPENED? As the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how most industries are conducting business, one of the biggest challenges is the transition to working from home. Many people are using their personal devices for work, often on an [...]
COVID-19: What Financial Regulatory Bodies Are Saying WHAT HAPPENED? On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 is now classified as a pandemic. Between WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other similar organizations, efforts are being made to halt the spread of [...]
What Does OCIE Look for When Examining Cybersecurity Practices? WHAT HAPPENED? In recent years, the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) of the Securities and Exchange Commission made cybersecurity a top priority when examining all types of firms. As the use of digital technology becomes more essential to [...]
OCIE Releases 2020 Examination Priorities WHAT HAPPENED? On Jan. 7, 2020, the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (OCIE) released its 2020 Examination Priorities. The list is published annually to provide clear guidance to professionals and to highlight pertinent risks to investors. Several [...]
How are Advisers Selected for an OCIE Exam? WHAT HAPPENED? In Fiscal Year 2018, the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations of the Securities and Exchange Commission examined nearly 17% of SEC-registered investment advisers. For the past several years, the number of examinations performed annually has steadily increased and [...]
SEC Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations Announces 2018 Examination Priorities WHAT HAPPENED? On February 7, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) announced the 2018 examination priorities. The exam priorities are published to improve compliance, prevent fraud, monitor risk and implement policy. [...]
Division of Enforcement Releases Annual Report WHAT HAPPENED? On November 15, 2017, the SEC’s Division of Enforcement released its annual report for Fiscal Year 2017 (“FY 2017”). The report explains how the Division of Enforcement’s decision making throughout FY 2017 was guided by the following five principles: Focus on [...]
Natural Disasters Emphasize Need for Business Continuity and Transition Plans WHAT HAPPENED? The United States has experienced extreme turmoil in recent months from the widespread damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey and Irma on numerous southern cities. These hurricanes have demonstrated how natural disasters, whether expected or not, can impose [...]
SEC Spoofed Emails Used In Spear Phishing Attack WHAT HAPPENED? Cisco’s Talos Intelligence Group has identified a targeted cyber-attack focusing on specific organizations. The malware began with a targeted spear phishing email to initiate the malware and infected U.S. state government servers to further develop the malware infection chain. [...]
SEC Provides Updates from Investigation of 2016 Cyber Intrusion WHAT HAPPENED? On October 2, 2017, the SEC provided an update on its ongoing staff investigation of the 2016 cyber intrusion into the EDGAR system. The SEC announced that the third party performing the intrusion acquired the names, birth dates [...]