The term cybersecurity is thrown about because it covers so many risks.  There is no common definition of cybersecurity and the technical elements included in the term.  From a technical standpoint, cybersecurity covers multiple types and layers of protection for technology. A company needs to identify and understand elements of its Information Technology infrastructure, including specific types of devices and uses.  The goal is to...

It is easy to get lost in the technology world of cyber security – the information technology business relies on lots of acronyms, techno-speak and function-specific terminology.  In responding to a cyber and data security risk profile, laypersons expect to hear a lot about technology-driven solutions.  In fact, a lot of time is spent reviewing, assessing and selecting specific solutions to incorporate into an overall...

If you read about the world of hackers and cyber threats, you will quickly become numb to the creativity and variety of techniques that may threaten your organization.  Like all risks, however, the key is to consider practically the real and significant threats to your organization.  If you attempt to address each and every possible threat, you will drive yourself crazy.  It is important to...

If you ask corporate board members and senior executives to list their number one risk (other than financial operations), the answer in today’s risk environment is clear – cybersecurity and data privacy.  The rapid elevation of this risk is reflected in weekly headlines announcing ransomware, cyber-attacks and data breaches.  In NAVEX’s recent State of Compliance Survey, one in three respondents indicated their company had experienced...

NAVEX’s annual report on the state of risk and compliance is a must read.  Each year NAVEX supplies helpful insights that compliance professionals, corporate managers and board members can use to benchmark their respective risk management and compliance strategies. This year’s survey reflects submissions from over 1300 respondents around the globe. A significant finding was an increase in respondents who characterized their respective programs as “mature,”...

Whenever new technologies emerge or new pots of government funds for assistance are available, you can count on one thing (as the sun rises and sets) – fraudsters will figure out a way to steal money from innocent persons and taxpayers.  While everyone has been chasing the cryptocurrency boom, fraudsters have embraced crypto technology to rip off unsuspecting investors with promises of wealth.  For every...

From everyone at The Volkov Law Group, we wish a Happy 4th of July holiday to our clients, colleagues, friends and family. We hope that everyone has a restful holiday and enjoys some time with family and friends. Our blog will resume on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, and our Podcast Corruption Crime and Compliance will return on Monday, July 10, 2023.

Healthcare fraud continues to plague the industry – each year Medicare and Medicaid suffer over $100 billion in losses from fraudsters. Prosecuting fraud cases in the healthcare industry is like shooting fish in a barrel – there are an infinite number of targets. To publicize its efforts, each year, DOJ executes multiple nationwide takedowns, rounding up healthcare fraudsters across the nation.  In its most recent...

Corporate compliance programs in the healthcare industry include many of the same elements that we are all familiar with – risk assessments, code of ethics, written policies and procedures, comprehensive training requirements, confidential reporting and investigation systems to address employee concerns, gifts, meals, grants, and medical education programs, and audit and review processes to maintain a continuous improvement program. Aside from this standard list of...

If you are a compliance officer for a healthcare provider (e.g. hospital, HMO, skilled nursing facility, hospice center), you must sometimes feel that no one understands or feels your pain.  When you consider the number and extent of risks, it can be mind-boggling.  I am sure there are times that compliance officers in the healthcare industry look wistfully or even with envy at a compliance...