Episode 192: Security and BCP Challenges in a Pandemic

This week, George Ralph, managing director of RFA, a cloud and cybersecurity provider to the alternative investment sector, joins Wei-Shen on the podcast. He talks about some security challenges the Covid-19 situation has brought about, and how firms should be tackling them. Then, they discuss how the approach to BCP planning will change in the future, and some “quick fixes” firms can put in place to help prevent insider threats. https://www.fsb.org/wp-content/uploads/P200420-1.pdf 1:30 – Tony and Wei-Shen delve into M&A activity in the ESG space, following Morningstar’s acquisition of SustainAnalytics. (https://www.waterstechnology.com/data-management/7529971/morningstar-wades-further-into-esg-space-with-sustainalytics-acquisition) How do the E, S, and G parts help firms understand the ripple effects of Covid-19? 15:30 – George joins the podcast on his birthday no less, and talks about some of the security challenges that the coronavirus pandemic has brought. And how IT teams and firms had to change their working models. 19: 30 – Then, they discuss BCP plans and how firms have to tweak them to fit the current situation, particularly for longer-term remote access. 27:00 – How are firms dealing with the insider threat risk? What processes and training can they put in place to prevent these risks? 32:30 – George talks about the importance of data flow, and addresses some quick fixes available. 34:30 – Are there security concerns when critical operating system updates can only be done on-site? 39:30 – How are firms dealing with concerns of migrating more critical workloads and data onto the cloud? 45:30 – Looking at a post-virus situation, George talks about how the approach to BCP will change. 48:30 – He wraps up by discussing RFA’s plans going forward.