SEC Chair Previews Ramp Up in Regulation and Enforcement in the Cybersecurity Context

February 8, 2022

On January 24, 2022, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler gave a speech at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Annual Securities Regulation Institute signaling the SEC’s intention to step up its cyber-related regulatory and enforcement efforts.

Gensler described the continued rise in cybersecurity incidents targeting the financial sector as a serious threat to the nation’s economy and critical infrastructure, with costs potentially in the trillions of dollars.

In outlining the SEC’s enhanced cyber focus, Gensler stressed three areas of emphasis: (1) cyber hygiene and preparedness; (2) cyber incident reporting to the government; and (3) public disclosures.  The SEC’s increased emphasis on cybersecurity continues to merit attention by SEC registrants in the financial sector (including broker-dealers, investment companies, registered investment advisers, and other market intermediaries) and the service providers that work with them, as well as by publicly traded companies.

Please click here to continue reading on the Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog.