Statement on the Commission’s Issuance of a Risk Alert Related to the Results of a Recent Cybersecurity Sweep
Commissioner Luis A. Aguilar
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission[1]
Feb. 3, 2015
The Commission’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations released a Risk Alert today summarizing the results of a recent cybersecurity examination sweep.[2]
I have been working for quite some time to raise awareness about the critical importance of cybersecurity. In fact, I helped organize the Commission’s March 26, 2014 Roundtable on cybersecurity and the challenges it poses to market participants and public companies. Today’s Risk Alert makes clear that cybersecurity is a persistent and growing threat, and that firms must take their cybersecurity duties seriously. If they do not, they jeopardize themselves and threaten the financial safety of the millions of Americans who have put their trust in them. I am hopeful the Risk Alert will encourage broker-dealers and investment advisers to work harder to protect investors from cyber threats.
In addition, the Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy released an Investor Bulletin that provides core tips to help investors safeguard their online investment accounts.[3]
[1] The views expressed by Commissioner Luis A. Aguilar are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission” or “SEC”), his fellow Commissioners, or members of the staff.
[2] SEC National Exam Program Risk Alert, Cybersecurity Examination Sweep Summary (Feb. 3, 2015), available at http://www.sec.gov/about/offices/ocie/cybersecurity-examination-sweep-summary.pdf.
[3] SEC Investor Bulletin, Protecting Your Online Brokerage Accounts from Fraud (Feb. 3, 2015), available at http://www.sec.gov/oiea/investor-alerts-bulletins/ib_protectaccount.html.