Insights

The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) released a letter highlighting the main findings of its work on asset valuation, which sets out its expectations to be adopted by all firms to mitigate the issues identified in Irish Fund Management Companies (Firms). This report sets out ESMA’s analysis and conclusions on its January 2022 Common Supervisory Action (CSA) exercise and presents ESMA’s views on the findings.

Businesses and organisations here have become a greater target for fraudulent activity by criminals looking to exploit the vast amounts of data that is created, shared and uploaded every second of the day. The challenge now is how to identify, monitor and manage that risk.

The threat of a cyber-attack has never been greater and despite the best efforts of businesses and organisations to mitigate risk, many remain exposed as cybercriminals rapidly adapt to new technologies. This includes exploiting weakness in artificial intelligence (AI) technology at a much faster pace than industries are keeping up.

The use of artificial intelligence continues to spread at a staggering speed. Companies worldwide have adopted and implemented AI, in solutions that are reshaping industries through improved efficiency, productivity and decision-making. However, many organisations have integrated AI into their business processes more quickly than they have updated security strategies and protocols. Your risk, technology and cybersecurity leaders must find, understand and mitigate these exposures.

Companies worldwide are adopting and implementing AI in solutions that are reshaping industries through improved efficiency, productivity and decision-making. However, the meteoric rise of AI can overshadow some valid concerns around security and privacy.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) needs no introduction, having managed to rapidly creep into all aspects of life. While in business, AI is creating a plethora of new potential opportunities and efficiencies, it is also presenting new challenges, including in the area of cybersecurity. So how exactly has AI impacted cybersecurity and what are the key risks that can be identified in its present form?

It was broadly agreed that the implementation of the IAF will provide clarity of responsibilities, which will underpin sound governance across the financial sector, enhancing the culture of accountability in firms, and bringing clarity to individuals in respect of the standards of conduct they are expected to meet.

When designing a fit-for-purpose governance model, trust and transparency are the keys to success. Strong governance practices must permeate the culture of the organisation, and employees at all levels should play a role in a executing a lived governance model that helps the company thrive.

The Individual Accountability Framework (IAF) impacts all Regulated Financial Services Providers (RFSPs) and individuals who perform controlled functions (CFs) on their behalf. Certain RFSPs (including most credit institutions, insurance firms and MiFID firms) are additionally in scope for the Senior Executive Accountability Regime (SEAR).

As a result of Brexit, and particularly following the introduction of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act, there is a potential for increasing divergence between EU and UK financial services regulation.

In August 2022, the Irish Government approved the Climate Action Framework (“the Framework”) for the commercial semi-State sector. Developed by the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) in collaboration with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the Framework applies to all commercial semi-State (CSS) companies.

Money laundering is on the rise globally. Between 2016 and 2021, the yearly number of cases brought to the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation doubled, bringing the total number of registered cases for that period to 3,000. In Ireland alone, the number of recorded money laundering crimes increased significantly from 86 in 2018 to 701 in 2021.