COMPLIANCE ETC: THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED – MARCH 26/27

Back home from wanderings once more, and with a (so far) reliable computer, at last.

On the compliance front in Panama, the President of the National Assembly says that Panama will be able to count on a law of extinction of ownership of illicit assets (civil forfeiture) before 30 June, the date on which the period of ordinary sessions ends. Given the opposition to date,  which has delayed the proposed law for a number of years, we shall see.

It is reported that the Government has taken control of the 130 hectare (321 acre) landfill site which has seen sites and pollution warnings in recent weeks. This comes amidst allegations against the Colombian-owned private operator about environmental liabilities.

In other news, the mandatory use of face masks on public transport (which has been largely ignored in recent weeks, in my personal experience) officially ends today, 27 March. However, the mandatory use of face coverings is maintained in public and private health facilities, where patient care is provided.

Mentioned in passing, alongside the news about face masks, was reminder that any person who works in the food sector, even as a driver or delivery person in food delivery services, using cars, motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, ATV, motorcycles or other similar means of transport, must have the certificate of good health (white card) and the health training card (green card).

Meanwhile, although membership of political parties might be relatively high here in Panama, there is quite some scepticism and cynicism about politics and politicians, and as elections approach I noticed this notice on a gate in El Valle.

“I don’t want a visit from politicians from any party. They are all corrupt”

26/27 MARCH 2023

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

WHY MASS LAYOFFS POSE INSIDER RISKS AND HOW COMPANIES CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES

On 27 March, an Analysis from Control Risks says that the last year and a half has brought unusual mass movements of people leaving and entering the workplace.It says thatcompanies are beginning to come to the realisation that insider threats can frequently cause more damage than external cyber threats given employees’ authorised access to critical assets.  According to one survey, 87% of employees take data with them when leaving a job.  The Analysis lists some indicators and provides some mitigating actions.

https://www.controlrisks.com/our-thinking/insights/why-mass-layoffs-pose-insider-risks

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

HOW CRIMINALS CAN ABUSE LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS (LLM) SUCH AS ChatGPT

On 27 March, Europol issued a news release saying that its Europol Innovation Lab organised a number of workshops with subject matter experts from across Europol to explore how criminals can abuse large language models (LLM) such as ChatGPT, as well as how it may assist investigators in their daily work.  Insights are compiled in Europol’s first Tech Watch Flash report which provides an overview on the potential misuse of ChatGPT, and offers an outlook on what may still be to come.  It explains that a large language model (LLM) is a type of AI system that can process, manipulate, and generate text.  It highlights 3 crime areas as amongst the many areas of concern identified by Europol’s experts. 

https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/criminal-use-of-chatgpt-cautionary-tale-about-large-language-models

https://www.europol.europa.eu/cms/sites/default/files/documents/Tech%20Watch%20Flash%20-%20The%20Impact%20of%20Large%20Language%20Models%20on%20Law%20Enforcement.pdf

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

JOINT HM TREASURY AND FCA STATEMENT ON THE CRIMINAL MARKET ABUSE REGIME

On 24 March, HM Treasury published a review of the criminal market abuse regime, fulfilling the commitment made in the Economic Crime Plan 2019-22.  The criminal market abuse regime sets out the UK’s criminal sanctions for insider dealing and market manipulation. It is important in helping the FCA fulfil its statutory objectives of protecting consumers, enhancing market integrity, and promoting competition.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-hm-treasury-and-fca-statement-on-the-criminal-market-abuse-regime/joint-hm-treasury-and-fca-statement-on-the-criminal-market-abuse-regime

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR AND THE ILLEGAL ARMS TRADE

On 22 March, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime published this report, which says that, sespite some over-heated claims, there is currently no substantial outflow of weapons from the Ukrainian conflict zone.  However, every precedent suggests that, especially if the threat is not addressed proactively and imaginatively, when the current war ends, Ukraine’s battlefields could and will become the new arsenal of anarchy, arming everyone from insurgents in Africa to gangsters in the streets of Europe.  The report explores the current situation in Ukraine in terms of the spread of weapons into non-state hands and clandestine supply chains.  It considers the prospects for more serious levels of proliferation after the end of hostilities, and makes practical recommendations for Ukraine and its foreign partners.

https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/russia-ukraine-war-illegal-arms-trade/