Whitepapers

TrustArc, the leader in data privacy management and automation has released its 2021 TrustArc Global Privacy Benchmarks Report. Now in its second year, the report highlights how companies’ priorities and strategic approaches to data privacy and security are evolving and what their top challenges in privacy management and compliance readiness are. Key findings from the...

With the global pandemic and a record-breaking year for women in public leadership positions in the U.S., what is the state of global gender representation? Global management consultant Kearney addresses this in their latest gender equity report, The Gender Equality Dilemma, compiled from research examining gender representation across public and private sectors. This year’s study is the fourth annual report and has...

Thomson Reuters has released its 2021 Report on the Cost of Compliance, finding that radical change may well emerge from post-pandemic reviews of and by financial regulators. With some financial services firms changing strategic direction, the report highlights a need to support wider cultural, operational and staffing requirements through future investment and resources. While the...

Corporate boards of directors face a more acute set of challenges in setting their compensation than they have in recent years. Until recently, a primary focus was the risk of shareholder litigation challenging allegedly excessive director compensation. That concern has receded as many companies have taken steps to mitigate the risk of lawsuits. But now...

Deloitte and the Society for Corporate Governance have published the newest Board Practices Quarterly, with this issue exploring how corporate boards oversee cybersecurity and cyber risk — including matters relating to board composition and structure, management’s reporting to the board, board information sources and shareholder engagement — as well as voluntary corporate disclosure practices. Key findings include: Cyber...

Global consulting firm Protiviti has released its 2021 Next-Generation Internal Audit Survey, finding that most chief audit executives (CAEs) and senior internal audit leaders and their teams are still in the early stages of, or have yet to embark on, their next-gen internal audit journeys. The benchmarking survey polled 874 executives in Q1 2021, including CAEs and audit...

Financial institutions and their directors have to navigate a rapidly changing world marked by new and emerging risks driven by cyber exposures based on the sector’s reliance on technology, a growing burden of compliance, and the turbulence of COVID-19, according to a new report, "Financial Services Risk Trends: An Insurer’s Perspective," from Allianz Global Corporate &...

As companies face a rapidly evolving cyber-threat landscape and proliferating regulations, boards require stronger strategies to address risks. PwC has published its Principles for Board Governance of Cyber Risk in collaboration with The World Economic Forum, National Association of Corporate Directors and Internet Security Alliance to provide leading guidance and best practices for board directors...

  Everyone has a key role to play in ensuring that the organization stays true to its mission, but compliance officers have a unique responsibility. This resource walks you through the key focus areas in that process: how to adopt a risk-based and federated approach, how to track regulatory engagements while keeping policies in sync with evolving...

This free 30-page eBook explores graph analytics as an AML tool to uncover money laundering networks and improve financial crime compliance. Despite efforts spent on AML, recent reports from the leaked FinCEN Files shed light on the weaknesses in the global anti-money laundering system that are allowing criminal activity to remain undetected. The AML system...

As many companies continue to pivot quickly in response to unanticipated events that unfolded due to the pandemic, board agendas are becoming more complex by the day. The recently released second issue of Board Practices Quarterly – conducted by Deloitte in collaboration with the Society for Corporate Governance – provides an extensive look at some of the key areas and trends...

We're facing a "Channel Explosion" these days, which means we're challenged to monitor more data streams than ever -- and we must do it in the new era of the hybrid workforce.  Technology can play a critical role here. Here's how an AI-driven solution can enhance financial services compliance while improving company culture. The hybrid...

Based on research from Thomson Reuters, this report indicates there's a perception that the overall value of maintaining a compliant workforce has diminished, and that training has largely been reduced to a "check the box" activity. The research suggests that more robust compliance frameworks are needed -- particularly given the "new normal" of the COVID...

This year, as in the previous five years, Russell Reynolds Associates interviewed over 40 global institutional and activist investors, pension fund managers, proxy advisors and other corporate governance professionals to identify the corporate governance trends that will impact boards and directors in 2021. This year's trends include: Climate Change Risk Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)...

Corporate whistleblower tips are skyrocketing. In FY 2020, the SEC received over 6,900 whistleblower tips – the most ever for any year. More than 80% of those tips came from company employees who had previously raised red flags, which typically should have triggered evaluations to determine what sort of internal probe might be necessary. This...

As we enter 2021 with considerable uncertainty, a new report from Hogan Lovells highlights expectations for a year that will be shaped by ongoing political disruption and pandemic-related pressure. Despite these unpredictable times, Hogan Lovells attorneys have identified several unifying trends across key industries and jurisdictions globally, including: An expectation for continued cross-border enforcement activity...

One of the top corporate scandals over the past few years entered its next phase with the settlement by the DOJ with Boeing around its fraud in the certification of its 737 MAX aircraft. Tom Fox offers background (including the company laying blame at the feet of the pilots, despite knowing of flaws in the...

Credit risk, ESG and cybersecurity are the trio of risk types that risk executives at financial institutions perceive as increasing the most in importance for their business over the next two years, out of a field of 16, according to a new survey out today from Deloitte. This is part of an in-depth survey report...

A trio of COVID-19 related risks head up the 10th Allianz Risk Barometer 2021, reflecting potential disruption and loss scenarios companies are facing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Business interruption (BI) (41 percent) and pandemic outbreak (40 percent) are this year’s top business risks, with cyber incidents (40 percent) ranking a close third. The annual...

Control Risks has just launched its annual RiskMap report, outlining five considerations for legal teams and compliance officers in the year to come. As we move into 2021, legal and compliance teams – like the companies they work for – undoubtedly face challenges. In a new and evolving world, companies will go full throttle on...

Regulatory agencies around the world emphasize the importance of mitigating risks through adverse media screening. In fact, screening for negative news has become an important component of a comprehensive program to determine the level of risk that customers, prospects and business partners may pose to organizations. But relying solely on free search engine data to...

Tom Fox offers wisdom from an unlikely source: one of the greatest movie villains of all time. It may seem strange to aspire to be like Darth Vader, but Tom argues convincingly that this ultimate villain is, in fact, an effective leader. Plus, he has quite a way with words.   Download the full whitepaper...

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) today issued a new whitepaper to help auditors providing SOC for Service Organization (SOC) reports on organizations that have incorporated blockchain into their service delivery systems. The paper examines the skills and competencies auditors need to perform such engagements, the unique features of blockchain, the risks associated with using blockchain, and...

If there was ever a question about energy traders and FCPA risk, a recent FCPA enforcement action against Vitol answers it once and for all. Tom Fox outlines the bribery schemes and corruption in Mexico and Ecuador, as well as the penalties assessed. Interestingly, this action marks the DOJ’s first coordinated FCPA resolution with the...

Global consulting firm Protiviti recently released the findings from its latest study, “IT Audit Perspectives: Top Technology Risks in 2021,” which reveals that concerns around security, privacy, cloud and other advanced technologies are being further fueled by the pandemic-induced remote work environment and accelerated deployment of new technologies. The study, conducted in partnership with ISACA, surveyed over 7,400 IT audit...

PwC and The Corporate Board recently released an executive survey of more than 500 members of public company C-suites, examining the relationship between management and the board. While executives appreciate the freedom their boards offer to run their organizations, many feel the board needs a refresh, with 82 percent of executives responding that at least one...

In a tumultuous year in which a global pandemic, a racial justice movement, and a contentious presidential election have gripped the United States, corporate shareholders are engaged in environmental, social and governance issues as never before, according to a new report by Intelligize, the industry-leading provider of corporate compliance management solutions. This ESG-focused playbook from Intelligize...

Today Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has released a new report on the state of the D&O insurance market. D&O Insurance Insights 2021 highlights market challenges and five D&O mega trends facing companies in 2021. Rising insolvency exposures, growing cybersecurity threats and persistent securities class-action activity are among the key risks for which D&Os could be held liable....

There's no question that the new guidance has raised the bar for compliance programs, including placing substantial emphasis on continual data-driven improvement and an increased focus on appropriate investment -- even as organizations worldwide are challenged by workforce, operational and business disruptions. It seems clear DOJ seeks to encourage remedial efforts to address weaknesses in...

Compliance officers and small business owners across all industries and in large and small organizations are faced with dual challenges. They live in fear of failing an audit yet they are under pressure to reduce costs. They struggle to keep up with compliance efforts, all while knowing that a single bad audit could be a...