SEC Cybersecurity Sweep Exams? Here is what you need to know. WHAT HAPPENED? Recently, there has been an increase in SEC Exam requests related to cybersecurity. Although the SEC has not yet announced a sweep exam, there appears to be a cybersecurity exam initiative underway. This is likely due [...]
Compliance Considerations for RIAs and BDs Trading Digital Asset Securities WHAT HAPPENED? Digital assets continue to be a hot topic among regulators as these securities gain momentum in the marketplace. While more comprehensive regulations around these trades are implemented, examiners from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are emphasizing [...]
2021 SEC Examination Priorities: What You Should Know WHAT HAPPENED? On March 3, 2021, the Division of Enforcement of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the Division) released its list of 2021 Examination Priorities. The annual list outlines the regulator’s most pertinent exam initiatives and highlights important areas of [...]
The SEC’s New Marketing Rule: Here’s What You Should Know Now UPDATE: 3/5/2021 On March 5, 2021, the Marketing Rule was published in the Federal Register, setting in motion the need for firms to prepare for compliance. Fairview will publish more information on an ongoing basis about the Rule [...]
2020 Compliance Round-Up: The Top 10 Regulatory Headlines for Investment Advisers This Year WHAT HAPPENED? Amid the unique changes and challenges 2020 has brought, there has been plenty of regulatory news from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) in the [...]
Are your documents and website up to ADA standards? WHAT HAPPENED? Clients and shareholders with auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, and visual impairments use assistive devices, like screen readers, screen magnifiers, and Braille displays, to consume content produced by your firm. Certain technical criteria are required to be met [...]
Does your firm include text messages in its recordkeeping? WHAT HAPPENED? Recently, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission released information about proceedings against a California broker-dealer, which failed to retain employee text message records. The SEC became aware of the activity when investigating an enforcement matter concerning a third [...]
The SEC’s 9 recommendations for avoiding “credential stuffing” attacks WHAT HAPPENED? Earlier this month, the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (OCIE) released a Risk Alert outlining newly identified cyber-attack threats called “credential stuffing.” Credential stuffing is a type of cyber-attack [...]
How to Identify and Avoid Vishing and Smishing Attacks WHAT HAPPENED? You likely have heard of phishing attacks, a type of social engineering scheme that tricks victims into clicking email links infected with malware, or into giving sensitive information to cybercriminals posing as a credible contact. Sophisticated attackers use [...]
5 Ways to Strengthen Your Firm’s Vendor Management Program WHAT HAPPENED? Vendor management is a critical piece of creating a comprehensive information security strategy for firms. Vendors processing or maintaining sensitive information on behalf of your firm and its clients are especially important to review and conduct due diligence [...]