Transforming Risk into Confidence: A PwC podcast series

As many organizations embrace a post-pandemic hybrid work model, CROs and other senior risk leaders need to manage new risks. In this podcast we’ll discuss the regulatory and compliance challenges that the new hybrid work environment brings, and how companies can reimagine their approaches to risk to drive sustainable growth and adapt to this new way of working. Moderator Joe Nocera, PwC’s Cyber & Privacy Innovation Institute Leader, is joined by Tiffany Gallagher, Health Industries Risk and Regulatory Leader, and Tom Snyder, Financial Services Risk and Regulatory Leader. We discuss the following questions: 01:10 - From a risk perspective, what are some of the challenges that the hybrid work environment brings? 02:53 - We’ve seen some of the benefits of remote work, but what are the opportunities in a hybrid model? 05:02 - We know that 62% of risk leaders plan to manage third-party engagements through increased leverage of data and automation. Can you tell us more about the new ways of working in a hybrid work environment? 06:27 - What surprised you with this shift? 09:14 - Any key takeaways? What should companies keep in mind as they make the shift?

In this episode of PwC’s podcast series, Transforming Risk into Confidence, moderator Elizabeth McNichol is joined by Lauren Massey and Jill Pavlus, all principals in PwC’s Cyber, Risk and Regulatory practice. They share an exciting development in the Cyber, Risk and Regulatory space, where our leaders in tech and automation have teamed up with controls and compliance specialists to develop a solution to bring our clients into the tech-enabled future by leveraging intelligent controls to help increase efficiency and lower cost of compliance across sectors and across organizations. We discuss the following questions: (01:34) - What is an intelligent control? (02:46) - What trends in the market can intelligent controls solve for? (04:26) - What is the intelligent controls diagnostic function? (07:01) - How is this a more streamlined way of testing as an output of the diagnostic? (09:15) - What’s in it for the client’s organization to leverage PwC’s intelligent controls solution? (11:07) - How has the intelligent controls solution helped clients in real world examples? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/risk-regulatory/podcasts/intelligent-controls-solution.html

In this podcast we talk about how cybersecurity executives can find the balance between improving security, resilience and trust, and being a good steward of the cybersecurity budget. Moderator Jane Allen, a Principal in PwC’s Cybersecurity, Privacy and Forensics practice is joined by Joe Nocera, PwC’s Cyber & Privacy Innovation Institute Leader, and Jim Fox, a Principal in the practice. We discuss the following questions: (01:14) - From your discussions with clients, what have they been most worried about? What’s keeping them up at night? (02:40) - What are the common pitfalls when addressing the mandate of reducing expenditures? (04:22) - What’s the best approach for companies to help prioritize spend, especially at a time when companies’ cybersecurity needs may be shifting as a result of the pandemic? (06:10) - How do you take this mandate and use this as an opportunity to transform your cybersecurity strategy? (07:24) - Any key takeaways with this environment and all the pressure that CISOs have on them that are quite unique right now? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/risk-regulatory/podcasts/secure-transformation-cost-optimization.html

We are sharing an episode from PwC’s What’s next in Cyber? Podcast Series. Moderator Joe Nocera, Cyber & Privacy Innovation Institute Leader, is joined by Matt Gorham, a senior fellow of the Institute and former Assistant Director of the FBI’s cyber division, and Dr. Erica Borghard, Senior Director, US Cyberspace Solarium Commission. They share their perspectives on the importance of the public and private sector collaboration and why C-suite executives may draw on the seriousness with which the government is approaching cybersecurity. We discuss the following questions: (00:58) - Why is it important now more than ever, for the public and private sector to work together in preventing cyber attacks? (02:34) - What is the Solarium Commission? What is the primary goal of Solarium? (4:52) - Can you tell us more about what exactly cyber deterrence means? (07:34) - What can we expect from the Biden administration in the next 12-18 months? How can it support and enable the private sector? (11:01) - Where can the private sector benefit from working with the public sector? Why do you think there is still some reluctance in doing so? (19:55) - You have always said that cybersecurity is a team sport. For the private sector to be an effective team player, what steps should they take to collaborate with federal agencies? (22:06) - Key takeaways https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/risk-regulatory/podcasts/collective-cyber-defense.html

In this episode, Seth Rosensweig, Partner and National Digital Risk Compliance and GRC Leader with PwC is joined by Jeff Easley, AVP of Risk & Compliance solutions at USAA and Meris Yee Director in PwC's Risk and Regulatory practice specializing in integrated risk and GRC. In this discussion, they are chatting with Jeff about USAA's strategic Integrated Risk Management and GRC transformation and how it is helping to future proof risk and compliance for the organization. We discuss the following questions: (1:12) - Where did enterprise GRC start at USAA, what triggered the modernization, and where are you now? (1:58) - How are you managing stakeholders and bringing them together to really transform and integrate GRC for the company? (5:25) - What are you seeing in terms of future proofing, and your journey towards sustainability? (11:01) - What are some challenges around data strategy and enabling a sustainable GRC? (15:52) - What are your greatest hopes and greatest fears around this transformation? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/risk-regulatory/podcasts/integrated-risk.html

In this episode, Chris Cook is joined by Monica Nayar and Ed Jasitias to discuss the emerging trends revealed from PwC’s 2020 M&A Integration survey and what companies and board of directors should be focused on now to capture deal value. We discuss the following questions: (1:30) - What are we seeing from the 2020 PwC M&A integration survey in terms of deal trends? (3:26) - What have we seen in the survey about integration success and what might be different from prior years? (5:08) - What is important from a risk and regulatory standpoint and what areas are companies really focused on? (6:26) - What did the survey indicate in terms of trends and actually achieving deal value? (11:00) - What did the survey reveal about how people are embracing change and managing change related to a deal? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/risk-regulatory/podcasts/ma-integration-risk-insight.html

In this episode, Fran Grabowski joins Tiffany Gallagher to discuss the new healthcare interoperability rules, the top risk and compliance concerns for consumers, payers and providers, and the case for organizations to treat this as a strategic opportunity. We discuss the following questions: 1:18 - What is interoperability and what are the goals of the new rules? 4:03 - What are the top concerns and challenges and how do we expect them to be regulated? 7:29 - What are the effects these rules will have on payers vs providers? 13:09 - What are some particular opportunities and risks that organizations are typically overlooking? 15:58 - What important messages were outlined in PwC’s recent thought leadership titled “The new healthcare interoperability rules: A risk and compliance perspective”? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/healthcare-interoperability-digital-transformation.html

CEOs are facing increasing pressure to show progress around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and, now, social justice. But many companies are unprepared to meet the demands for greater transparency into their DEI strategy. In this episode, Sheri Wyatt joins Kevin O'Connell to talk about the importance of an effective DEI strategy, the challenges many organizations are facing and steps they are taking to meet those challenges. We discuss the following questions: 0:38 - Why are companies starting to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion now? 2:41 - Who should be involved in the discussion? 4:55 - What are companies struggling with the most in this space? 7:18 - Why is getting the data and the story so important? 10:05 - What steps are companies taking now and how should they begin focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-diversity-equity-inclusion.html

Recent market volatility has led to heightened regulatory scrutiny of the integrity of index data. In this episode, Wes Bricker joins Beth Savino to talk about the rise of index investing, and how asset managers can drive transparency while navigating the regulations being implemented to ensure the market functions as designed. We discuss the following questions: 0:40 - What is the current landscape around index investing, and what strategies and challenges have emerged? 3:37 - Why are regulators becoming more interested in index investing? 6:18 - What do these new regulations mean for asset managers? 9:39 - How are we approaching issues in the index transparency space and what are the next steps?

ESG is front and center for boards and leadership teams in the banking and capital markets sector. In this episode, Kevin O’Connell invites Matt Giordano and Corey Merrill to delve into ESG, it’s impact on this industry and what banks are doing to remain competitive. We discuss the following questions: 0:36 - Why is it the time for banks to put ESG at the forefront? 2:33 - What are banks doing from an ESG perspective to remain competitive? 3:40 - How have banks played a catalyst role with ESG? 6:16 - What are some of the key ESG factors impacting the banking and capital markets sector? 7:26 - How do banks navigate material factors, metrics and disclosures? 8:15 - How are banks integrating risks, such as market, credit and operational risks, into their frameworks? 10:43 - What are the biggest lessons we’ve learned about the ESG journey? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-banking-capital-markets.html

Investors want to know that energy companies are thinking about the appropriate ESG risks and opportunities, and incorporating those topics into the company's strategy. In this episode, Kevin O’Connell and Chuck Chang highlight those risks and opportunities and offer advice to help them to improve their ESG results. We discuss the following questions: 0:36 - What are some broad trends in ESG? 1:43 - Why is ESG important to the energy sector? 3:11 - Why are investors voicing their concerns over ESG and what are they looking for? 5:09 - How mature are the sustainability practices in the energy sector? 7:01 - What advice do we have for companies to improve their ESG results? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-energy.html

Regulatory complexities continue to grow, while the pace of new products and services has accelerated and innovation and regulatory technology (RegTech) solutions are becoming commonplace. In this episode, Matt Shelhorse joins Chad Gerhardstein to discuss the need for compliance program effectiveness in this environment, including the key compliance elements and trends in this remote and virtual environment. We discuss the following questions: 1:10 - What is compliance effectiveness as we refer to it? 2:07 - What are some of the broader trends around compliance, specifically in this heavily remote and virtual environment? 5:14 - Where do you see heightened risk and regulatory focus shifting over the next 12 to 18 months? 7:57 - How is the existing use of technology and the potential new uses driving change for compliance programs? 11:05 - How are we seeing organizations react to and prepare for the recent DOJ sentencing guidelines? 15:06 - Is now the right time for initiating new compliance projects and rethinking the overall compliance strategy as well as transformation? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/compliance-effectiveness.html

In this episode, Vrushali Gaud joins Kevin O’Connell to discuss ESG priorities for technology companies, and how they are addressing the challenges and risks associated with stakeholder demands and commitments. We discuss the following questions: 0:36 - What is ESG and how are technology sector companies prioritizing it? 4:07 - What areas of ESG are top of mind for the technology sector? What commitments are tech companies making? 7:57 - What challenges are companies in the technology sector facing? 9:51 - How are companies addressing those challenges? 11:30 - What role does technology play in being an enabler for ESG beyond the sector? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-technology.html

In this episode, Jenn Kosar joins Kevin O’Connell to discuss the importance of ESG in the Insurance sector, what investors and regulators are expecting, and how top global insurers are implementing ESG strategy. We discuss the following questions: 0:34 - Why is ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) so important to the insurance sector? 2:20 - How mature are the ESG strategies of the top global insurers? 4:45 - What do investors want and what are insurers disclosing? What ESG issues should insurers prioritize, considering stakeholder importance and business value? 6:07 - How will climate change impact insurers? 8:44 - What is the view of the US and international regulators on ESG and what are their expectations for insurers? 11:00 - If there are currently no mandates in the US, why should insurers obtain independent assurance over their ESG activities? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-insurance.html

In this episode, Jennifer Lendler discusses how the pandemic has impacted companies' use of artificial intelligence (AI) and how they can navigate these complexities and build trust in their AI. We discuss the following questions: 0:30 - How has the artificial intelligence landscape evolved in our ever-changing world? 3:01 - Where do you start on this journey to protect and build trust in your AI? 4:28 - What are some questions, focus areas and key activities for anyone that owns or uses AI to consider? 6:49 - What do you need as a roadmap for these changing times? 8:44 - What are some key takeaways around building trust in AI? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/artificial-intelligence-oversight.html

In this episode, Monica Nayar and Mike Bellin join Eric Watson to discuss special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), which are generating a lot of activity in the market. They explain the complexities and challenges and the actions that should be considered as companies navigate towards successful mergers when looking to go public. We discuss the following questions: (below times are dependent on further audio edits) 0:50 - How does a SPAC work? 2:15 - What are the advantages of a SPAC for a private company? 2:49 - How is the merger timeline impacted in this process and what are the challenges companies are facing due to this? 6:46 - What are the control challenges in SPAC transactions? 8:56 - How are technology and analytics helping companies move through SPAC mergers? 12:13 - What are the first steps when a company is looking to undertake this transaction? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/spac-merger-deals.html

In this episode, Ryan Folscroft joins Kevin O’Connell to discuss how environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are impacting the four quadrants of the asset and wealth management (AWM) industry, and how firms are finding operational and commercial value. We discuss the following questions: 0:35 - What is ESG and how is it impacting the asset and wealth management industry? 3:05 - Are firms finding real operational and commercial value to ESG? 5:43 - What are three current hot topics in ESG and the asset and wealth management industry? 8:54 - How are companies addressing industry demands and how is PwC helping? 12:58 - Based on the current market demand, what is the future vision surrounding ESG? 15:03 - What is one key takeaway for our listeners? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/esg-asset-wealth-management.html

Joe Sousa joins Kevin O'Connell to discuss the benefits of data lake technology, and the importance of implementing proper governance standards to help manage the risks associated with this technology. We discuss the following questions: 0:36 - What is a data lake? 1:42 - What are some of the benefits of data lake technology? 2:56 - How are data lakes being leveraged by organizations today? 4:56 - How can we ensure data lakes do not get polluted? 6:29 - How are organizations establishing trust and transparency for the various stakeholders when they're using a data lake? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/data-lake-technology.html

Companies are increasingly providing their customers more access to data, but how do they know they can trust the data? In this episode, Treesha Govender joins Kevin O'Connell to discuss the importance of providing assurance over data management controls given the increasing demand from regulators and customers. We discuss the following questions: 0:36 - What are the key drivers for more extensive assurance over data management controls? 2:32 - When should a company think about obtaining assurance over these controls and what framework should they consider using? 4:00 - What are the key areas of data governance that companies should focus on? 5:06 - What are the benefits of doing a risk assessment of your critical data? 5:52 - What are some key takeaways when looking to start this journey? https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/data-management-controls-assurance.html

In this episode Stephen D'Arcy joins Erik Nolte to discuss the potential for intelligent controls automation to reduce the cost of compliance and improve quality and confidence in your controls environment. We discuss the following questions: 0:41 - What is intelligent controls automation? 1:56 - What is an example of how it plays out in practice? 3:59 - What are some of the main benefits companies can expect from this solution and what is some of the feedback we’ve heard? 6:08 - What are the drivers that are pushing companies to leverage this automation approach? 8:17 - Are intelligent automation controls relevant to all companies? www.pwc.com/us/en/services/risk-assurance/podcasts/intelligent-controls-automation-compliance-cost.html