Control Chatter
December 2020
News that Control Professionals need to know
Quick Links
2021 Certification Training Program & Exams

ICI and affiliates around the world have a busy training programme scheduled for 2021. For more details on the CICS Training programmes on offer,visit the Events page on our website by clicking on the link below.
Test your Knowledge of Internal Control
The Internal Control Institute has developed two mini assessments to test your knowledge. A CICS Common Body of Knowledge Mini Assessment that helps an individual determine their knowledge as it relates to organizational governance and control practices. Results point out areas of knowledge that may require additional training and experience. The assessments also provides a measurement to the individual's readiness for CICS certification.
Start becoming an Internal Control professional today!
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The ICI "Certification Series" of online courses
The ICI "Certification Series" has been completely updated and is available online to everyone around the world! Course content prepares individuals to design and/or assess internal control and to assist management in installing internal control processes. In addition, the series prepares candidates for the Certified Internal Control Specialist (CICS) Examination. To review the course catalog click
To register for one or all of the online training programs click here:
Online course pricing has been reduced by over 70%
Internal Control Chatter
Each month the staff of The Internal Control Institute reviews hundreds of articles related to Internal Control and Corporate Governance. Here are brief summaries of some of the top articles (along with links to the original article) that may be of interest to you.
Corporate Compliance: 10 Keys to a Successful Program
natlawreview.com
December 17, 2020
A robust compliance program within a corporation is a critical component of business operations. It is responsible for detecting, preventing, remedying, and monitoring misconduct. Maintaining an effective compliance program serves as ample evidence that the corporation is in full compliance with the law and intends to follow it. 
Compliance Priorities for 2021
By Lyn Farrell and Kathryn Reimann
bankingjournal.aba.com
DECEMBER 17, 2020
Surely 2020 has been the strangest year in our communal lives in the U.S. But as always, compliance responsibilities continue. As we begin a hopeful 2021, in our estimation, the following issues should be the priorities for compliance professionals focused on consumer regulation and COVID-related regulatory and supervisory risks:
Audit: Inadequate control enabled state unemployment scam
https://www.heraldnet.com
December 18, 2020
The “known and suspected” fraud loss was about $600 million, with several hundred million of that recovered.  The state Employment Security Department did not have adequate controls to prevent illegal unemployment insurance claims last spring that totaled about $600 million and grew into the largest fraud in state history, the Washington State Auditor said Friday.
Practice vs Process Maturity: Strengthening Your Cyber Compliance & Risk Program
securityboulevard.com
Information security maturity has never been more important. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the catalyzation of digital transformation and the ripple effects on businesses ensuring a strong cyber security posture and risk management program is essential for the new year.
Looking Back: 2020’s Top Governance Developments
forbes.com
Dec 17, 2020
2020 was an extraordinary year in terms of corporate governance developments. A combination of social, political, regulatory and constituent pressures rattled conventional fiduciary wisdom in unprecedented ways for organizations across the corporate spectrum. In addition, important judicial decisions shifted the needle on fiduciary oversight duties. And, of course, there was the pandemic.
Cybersecurity 2021 – The Year in Preview: Ransomware, the Latest Threat to the Nation’s Energy Supply
jdsupra.com
December 17, 2020
It is clear that both the private sector and the government recognize the increase threat posed by cyberattacks, both in terms of frequency and severity. While the growing ransomware attacks to date have focused primarily on manufacturing companies, and have so far only nibbled at the edges of the nations’ energy sector, cybersecurity risks to critical energy infrastructure should no longer be considered speculative.
SEC awards over $300K to auditor whistleblower
accountingtoday.com
December 15, 2020
The Securities and Exchange Commission awarded more than $300,000 to a whistleblower with auditing responsibilities who helped lead to the successful enforcement of SEC and related actions.The whistleblower became aware of a potential securities law violations in connection with their audit responsibilities. Individuals with audit or compliance responsibilities are usually not eligible for such SEC awards, but a whistleblower who reasonably believes that an entity is acting in a way that would impede an investigation is an exception to the rule.
The Danger of Internal Controls Enforcement: The Andeavor SEC Settlement
jdsupra.com
December 16, 2020
The internal controls provision in the FCPA statute has broad application to a variety of situations beyond foreign bribery. The Securities and Exchange Commission knows full well the power of the internal controls provision and has readily applied it in a variety of circumstances.
HELP US IMPROVE INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE
PARTNERS WANTED:

The Internal Control Institute™ (ICI) improves organizational Internal Control worldwide by
providing training, products and services and individual Professional Certifications
recognized internationally. The Institute's Board of Advisors has determined it would like to
further expand into areas where it is not directly represented. ICI provides world-class
programs and its intellectual property to affiliates free of charge and shares all program
revenue with them. If your organization is interested in partnering with ICI to earn revenue while you contribute to the development of the internal control profession worldwide please contact Dr. Michael Pregmon, Jr., Chief Operations Officer, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 727-538-4113 in the USA.

Below is a list of WorldWide Affiliates currently serving the profession. If your area is not represented please consider partnering with ICI
ICI World Wide Affiliates
Bangladesh
Contact: Mr Aminur Rahman
Tel: +88 01749 400600
Botswana
Contact: Mr Humphrey Chawafambira
Tel: +267 75618647
Brazil
Contact: Mr Eduardo Person Pardini
Tel: +55 51 3533 8566
Cameroon
Contact: Mr Eric Kamegne
Tel: +237 658 292 978
China
Contact: Mr Qiu Jianting
Tel: 400-098-1119 or 010 68004176
Europe
Contact: Mr Yves Dupont
Tel: 0032 2 305 35 25
India
Contact: Mr Summit Goyal
Tel: +91 9810 575 613
Middle East
Contact: Mr Belal Abdul Jabbar
Tel: +962 6 5927171
Myanmar & Cambodia
Contact: Mr Sanjeev Gathani
Tel: +65 9655 4633
Nigeria
Contact: Mr Joel Aluko
Pakistan
Contact: Mr Muhammad Farooq Hammodi
Romania
Contact: Mr Cosmin Serbanescu
Tel: +40 752 525 525
Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia & Taiwan China
Contact: Mr Bob Seetoh
South Africa
Contact: Ms Sedie Jane Masite
Tunisia
Contact: Ms Nadia Yaich
Turkey
Contact: Ms Ilknur Tunc
Tel: +90 312 442 50 15
Vietnam
Contact: Mr Nguyen Thanh Tung
Tel: 848 3803 5020
Zimbabwe
Contact: Dr Proctor Nyemba
Tel: +263 4 443124
Control Quotes:
The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don't really even notice it, so it's part of everyday life.
Bill Gates
About ICI
The Internal Control Institute™ (ICI) is a worldwide organization devoted exclusively to internal control and corporate governance. The Institute is dedicated to the development of world-class educational programs and best practice guidelines on internal control and corporate governance, based on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the COSO internal control framework. Visit us on the web at the Internal Control Institute
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