@Risk

European insurers are racing to meet Solvency II requirements by the January 1, 2014 deadline, and many are facing a stiff head wind, particularly with respect to their reliance on third parties for data, the sophisticated risk modeling requirements and the difficulties associated with obtaining sufficiently detailed fund data.

More specifically, a new study by BNP Paribas Securities Services and InteDelta found that insurers are facing key challenges around: (more…)

Last month, I reported that many companies are struggling to keep pace with the compliance and risk policies necessary for effective social media governance.

Now, HP has released new global research indicating that organizations also face increased threats from an even more fundamental policy and procedures issue: poor control and oversight of sensitive and confidential workplace data.

According to the new study conducted by the Ponemon Institute, many companies say they have well-defined policies for individuals with privileged access rights to specific IT systems. However, almost 40 percent were unsure about enterprise-wide visibility into specific rights, or whether those with privileged access rights met compliance policies.

The survey, which focused on more than 5,000 IT operations and security managers across the US, the UK, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Spain, also found that: (more…)

How careful are employees when it comes to IT security?

Apparently, most aren’t careful, at all. What’s more, most aren’t really concerned whether or not IT policies are followed.

Take a look at these survey results. IT security expert Avira polled nearly 1,000 of its users in September and found that:

• Only 38.95 percent of those participating in the study said they adhere to security policies designed to protect their company.
• About the same amount (35.42 percent) admitted there are security policies in place at their business, but that they didn’t feel that anyone really cared whether those policies were followed or not.
• The remaining 25.63 percent said they see security as a system administrator’s responsibility and not an employee concern. (more…)

Over the past few years, social media has evolved into an essential component of the marketing toolbox.

But, most companies have failed to keep pace with the necessary compliance and risk policies and procedures.

A recent study conducted by Grant Thornton LLP and Financial Executives Research Foundation illustrates the problem. The survey responses from 141 senior financial executives from public and private companies showed that: (more…)

In its January 2010 “Citizens United” decision, the Supreme Court lifted all but a handful of restraints on corporate spending on politics.

How have companies responded? Are they spending on politics? And, if they are, how are they navigating disclosure, board oversight and the associated risks?

A new study from the Center for Political Accountability, in conjunction with the Carol and Lawrence Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, gives us some intriguing insights.

I found the results encouraging. The research, which is the first of its kind since Citizens United, revealed that many leading companies are taking steps to increase corporate political transparency and accountability. They are disclosing political spending and working to safeguard shareholders from its potential risk.

In fact, based on seven key indicators, the CPA-Zicklin Index identified the following S&P 100 companies as the top 10 for political transparency and accountability: Colgate-Palmolive Co., Exelon Corp., International Business Machines, Merck & Co. Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer Inc., United Parcel Service Inc., Dell Inc., Wells Fargo & Co. and EMC Corp.

Here’s a look at a few additional findings: (more…)