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Cybersecurity Governance

A Comprehensive Guide To Data Governance In Australian Financial Services

September 1, 2025

Data governance is not just compliance—it is a strategic enabler. Firms that embed governance into everyday workflows gain sharper insights, stronger compliance, and sustainable competitive advantage.

Privacy Policy Overhaul: What AFSLs and ACLs Must Do After the 2024 Reforms

April 28, 2025

The 2024 privacy reforms mark a turning point for AFSLs and ACLs. With legal, operational, and reputational stakes rising, this guide breaks down what you must do to stay compliant—while seizing the chance to lead on trust, AI transparency, and data security. Don’t just react—embed privacy into your governance DNA.
A red-carpet scene reminiscent of Hollywood glamour photography, akin to high-profile celebrity event shots from Vanity Fair or Vogue. A nerdy, socially awkward man stands in a slightly ill-fitting yet expensive suit, with a nervous, uneven smile. His tie is slightly crooked, and his posture is stiff. Beside him is an impeccably dressed, stunningly attractive woman in a tailored suit. She exudes confidence, with perfect posture and a piercing, slightly intimidating gaze. There's something off about her - her skin is flawless but slightly too smooth, her eyes overly symmetrical, and her movements just a touch too precise. Her forehead has a faint translucence, revealing delicate circuit patterns and glowing microchips beneath, evoking a futuristic, sci-fi vibe reminiscent of "Ex Machina" or "Blade Runner." The lighting is cinematic, with a warm spotlight on the duo, but the woman’s reflection on the ground is faintly glitchy, suggesting her digital nature.

The Hidden Risks of AI: ASIC’s Review of Licensees’ Embrace of Artificial Intelligence

March 17, 2025

AI is revolutionising financial services, but hidden risks threaten compliance and trust. ASIC’s latest insights reveal legal, ethical, and operational pitfalls that firms must address. From regulatory uncertainty to bias and cybersecurity threats, navigating AI safely is critical. Find out how to balance innovation with compliance and avoid costly missteps.

Cybersecurity & Compliance – Protecting Client Data

March 3, 2025

With cyber threats targeting Australian financial firms, robust data security is critical. This article unpacks major breaches, regulatory obligations, and how RegTech can streamline compliance and risk management. Learn how to protect sensitive data, strengthen cybersecurity, and maintain trust in an evolving digital landscape. Don’t wait—discover best practices to safeguard your business today!
Unpacking AFSL obligations: Cyber security

Unpacking AFSL obligations: Cyber security

June 6, 2022

Smarter compliance. Smart people understand that although principles-based regulation provides flexibility and dynamism, it can also be problematic when those regulations are interpreted to be limited, static or fixed. In previous articles, we’ve explored and explained how, and why, AFS Licensees need to be appropriately focused on cyber security risk management. In this article , we respond to readers’ requests for more detail and summarise the matter that brought cyber-security into compliance - ASIC v RI Advice [2022] FCA 496.
IT, fraud and cyber-insurance

IT, fraud and cyber-insurance

April 17, 2022

Smarter Compliance. We’ve repeatedly drawn attention to the need to secure your client data. We’ve also frequently offered practical tips to help you manage this obligation. Smart compliance people know that it’s an important topic, so we’ve invited Greg Hansen of Austbrokers Countrywide, to provide his perspective of cyber-insurance and its value.
"A cavalier attitude": ASIC, Doyle and RI Advice

“A cavalier attitude”: ASIC, Doyle and RI Advice

February 15, 2022

Smarter compliance. On 2 February 2022, Moshinsky J’s judgment outlined his reasons for the penalties imposed on RI Advice Group and John Doyle for their significant contraventions of the Corporations Act. You may consider this case, like every other case, to be unrepresentative of the advice industry but, even still, the judgment reiterates the clear expectations of advisers’ and licensees’ conduct and the real cost of “a cavalier attitude to compliance”. In this article, we’ll unpack the key messages and required actions.
Emerging liabilities: data

Emerging liabilities: data

July 21, 2021

Smart compliance people know that data management is an important topic, so, with proper reference to the limitations of insurance, and with the insights offered by Greg Hansen of Austbrokers Countrywide, we’ll provide recommendations to help you manage one of your critical risks.
Cyber crime: security, fibre and risk

Cyber crime: security, fibre and risk

July 19, 2021

Smart compliance people appreciate technology but also appreciate the financial and regulatory threat posed by cybercrime. While advisers might think it a licensee or tech problem, ASIC (and the Government) think differently. We examine the research and offer insights and some practical tools.
Data, privacy and liability: A year of firsts

Data, privacy and liability: A year of firsts

March 15, 2021

A smart approach to data, privacy and liability based on current events and compliance failures.

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