“Risk Assessment and Management: Fundamentals of Effective Risk Management” is available at Amazon in both Paperback and Hardback.
This book, over the course of 298 pages, has been written to provide a strong foundation in the principles of risk management and the process of risk assessment:
Ch1: Introduction to Risk Assessment and Management
Ch2: Risk Identification and Assessment
Ch3: Risk Prioritization and Mitigation
Ch4: Technology and Risk
Ch5: Finance and Risk
Ch6: Operations and Risk
Ch7: The Three Lines of Defence Model
Ch8: Insider Risk and Reputational Risk
Ch9: Black Swan Risks and Business Continuity Planning
Ch10: Mitigation
Ch11: Risk Remedies
Ch12: Risk Auditing
Ch13: Bribery and Corruption
Ch14: Fraud
Ch15: Data and Information
Ch16: Understanding Criticality of Information and Data/Information Fraud
Ch17: Information Security
Ch18: Hacking, Data Manipulation, and Data Losses
Ch19: Cyber Security and Information Security Measures
Ch20: Information Security Risks
In an increasingly complex and volatile world, mastering the art of risk assessment and risk management has become paramount. From financial institutions to healthcare organizations, and from startups to multinational corporations, individuals and businesses alike face an array of uncertainties that can make or break their success.
This book explores the intricate interplay between risk identification, evaluation, and mitigation. Through a holistic approach, this book equips readers with the tools and strategies needed to embrace uncertainty, transform it into opportunities, and safeguard against potential threats.
Whether you are a seasoned risk professional or just beginning your journey into risk management, the book provides a roadmap to navigate the labyrinth of risks that surround us. By leveraging the power of knowledge and embracing uncertainty, you can transform risk from a potential liability into a catalyst for growth and success. Equip yourself with the essential skills and strategies needed to thrive in an unpredictable world.
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“Financial Crime Compliance: A Handbook for the Detection, Prevention and Investigation of Financial Crime” is available at Amazon in both Paperback and Hardback.
Over 548 pages, the book covers topics including:
Financial crime is a growing threat to businesses and society as a whole. Criminal organizations use sophisticated techniques to launder money, finance terrorism, commit fraud, and engage in bribery and corruption. The impact of financial crime can be devastating, ranging from reputational damage to financial losses, and in some cases, loss of life.
To address these risks, businesses and governments have implemented a range of measures to prevent, detect, and respond to financial crime. Financial crime compliance has become a critical function for businesses operating in high-risk industries such as banking, insurance, and financial services.
This book is a comprehensive guide to financial crime compliance for professionals working in this field. It covers a wide range of topics, including anti-money laundering, terrorism financing, fraud, bribery, and corruption, among others. The book provides practical guidance on how to design, implement, and manage effective compliance programs that are tailored to the specific risks faced by an organization.
ISBN : 979-8390757611
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“The Casino Gaming industry is one of high stakes and high risk, with millions of dollars changing hands daily. As such, it is crucial that casinos have robust compliance and risk management systems in place to protect their assets and maintain the integrity of the industry. This book is designed to provide a comprehensive guide to casino compliance and risk management, covering a wide range of topics that are critical to the effective operation of any Casino or iGaming operation”
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As the new year approaches, many people take the opportunity to reflect on their careers and set goals for professional development. Learning and professional development are essential for staying competitive in today's job market and for building a fulfilling and successful career.
Here are some tips for making learning and professional development a priority in the new year:
Set specific, achievable goals: What skills or knowledge do you want to acquire in the next year? Make a plan for how you will achieve these goals, whether it be through taking a course, getting a certification, or simply reading more about your field.
Make time for learning: It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of work, but it's important to carve out time for learning and professional development. This could be as simple as setting aside an hour each week to read a book or take an online course.
Seek out new opportunities: Don't be afraid to try something new. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and volunteer for projects outside of your comfort zone. These experiences can help you learn new skills and make valuable connections.
Learn from others: Seek out mentors or colleagues who can provide guidance and advice. Ask for feedback on your work and listen to what they have to say. You can also learn from the successes and mistakes of others, so be sure to ask for case studies or examples of how they have approached challenges in their careers.
Stay up-to-date: Make sure you are staying current with developments in your field. This could mean subscribing to industry publications, following thought leaders on social media, or simply taking a few minutes each day to scan the news for relevant articles.
Invest in yourself: Don't be afraid to invest in your own learning and development. This could be in the form of tuition for a course or certification, or simply purchasing a book or tool that will help you learn a new skill. The investment will pay off in the long run as you develop new capabilities and advance in your career.
Practice what you learn: It's one thing to learn new skills, but it's another thing entirely to put them into practice. Look for opportunities to apply what you have learned on the job or through side projects. This will not only help you reinforce your learning, but it will also show your employer the value you bring to the table.
By making learning and professional development a priority, you can set yourself up for success in the new year and beyond. Whether you are looking to advance in your current field or explore new opportunities, a commitment to ongoing learning will help you stay competitive and fulfilled in your career. So, it is always good to have a career resolution to focus on learning and professional development in the new year.
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Back in 2019 I created the TWELVE Financial Crime Program as a 12 month mentoring and development program for financial crime professionals. Over the years many individuals have reached out enquiring if there is - or could be - a shorter / more concise program as it is difficult to find time to commit to a full 12 month program.
Today I add the TWELVE Accelerator Program to the training line up - a self study on-demand version of the TWELVE Financial Crime Program. Created with the same Knowledge and Skill topics as the 12 month program - but at your own pace!
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Following several years of teaching Financial Crime and Ethics at undergraduate and graduate level, I have taken the step of launching my own courses. Focusing on key knowledge areas that are relevant for both academic and practitioner audiences, these courses are available in an on-demand video format.
The three courses are:
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I recently designed a 4 session short course for the Association of Certified Gaming Compliance Specialists (ACGCS) following my recent 1 hour webinar on Ethics, Decision-Making, and Leadership.
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I recently discovered the Remote Gambling course offered by the University of Gibraltar. This was the first course I have seen which is focused on Remote / iGaming.
Remote Gambling has many names such as Remote/ Internet/ Online/ Mobile gambling/ gaming, iGaming, and eGaming.
The course is offered by the Institute of Professional Development and Continuing Education and takes around 4-5 hours to complete. Consisting of 3 units, the course is assessment via a multiple choice quiz at the end of each unit. There are 3 quizzes in total with a passing grade of 70% in each.
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I recently joined the Association for Certified Gaming Compliance Specialists (ACGCS) for a discussion on the role that Ethics plays in Compliance, how Ethical Decision-Making is essential for effective compliance programs and discover key principles of Ethical Leadership.
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2022 is a big year in Canada for Single Event Wagering and iGaming. Over the coming months, there will be a flood of new iGaming operators entering the market.
As a result, it is my view that the Casino and Gaming industry will be the next growth area for AML and financial crime career opportunities.
I’ve personally sought to enhance my knowledge and understanding of this area and starting last October, I enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Sports Integrity Investigations at University of New Haven. Reaching the halfway point of the program, I can definitely recommend it to those already working in this field and those looking to transition into it.
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“Faces of Financial Crime” is a NFT collection available through Opensea and recorded on the Ethereum blockchain.
A set of 94 individual - unique - images with each image incorporating distinct elements of financial crime.
Each NFT (available for 0.11 ETH) also includes 17.5 hours of Financial Crime content from the TWELVE Financial Crime Program.
The collection can be viewed at https://opensea.io/collection/facesoffinancialcrime
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Several years ago I wrote a post detailing my 12 recommended book related to Financial Crime, now is time for an updated list.
Below are a collection of my favourite books related to Financial Crime. They cover a wide range of different financial crime types, from bribery and corruption to fraud to money laundering to soccer match-fixing.
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If you are currently working in the field of Financial Crime - or have been exploring entering the profession - you will know how expensive many of the courses and certifications can be. A word of warning: just because a course or certification has a high price tag, it doesn’t mean it will be the “best”.
Through my career in Financial Crime I have seen many good certifications that are worth the cost and several that are worth avoiding!
There are many short courses which are low cost - in some cases Free - that can be useful additions both to your own knowledge but also your resume (under the “short courses” or “professional development” section).
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“Public-Private Partnerships: An Examination of the Dynamics of Multi-Agency Arrangements in Different Cultural and Legal Contexts” is now available in Hardback and Paperback.
Topics include:
The Globalisation of Crime: Beyond the Nation-State
The Different Models of Multi-Agency Working
Examples of International Multi-Agency Arrangements
CEOP as a Domestic Multi-Agency Arrangement
ICPN as an International Multi-Agency Arrangement
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On 19th November 2021, I presented at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Fraud Conference Canada on the subject of managing high risk customers.
The session was titled “How FINTRAC-regulated sectors can use due diligence as an internal control for high-risk customers”.
While the title includes reference to Canadian regulator FINTRAC, the concepts and principles can be applied to most jurisdictions - not just Canada.
As always, the views expressed in the video are my own and not representative of any organization.
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As the 2nd winter of the COVID pandemic approaches, I thought I’d take a moment to share some of my Work from Home Essentials. Some of these are “nice to have” and some of them are “lessons learned”.
I’ve broken this post into sections:
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I’m excited to announce that my primer book examining the role of Private Security in society and its role in the overall security picture is now available in paperback format.
Topics include:
- Policing and Nation
- ‘Crime as a normal social fact’: Anxiety, Insecurity, and the Fear of Crime
- Private Security as a Commodity and the Effect on the Collective
- Private Security: Creating a New Style of Policing?
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In 2021, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic restricting in-person events or in an effort to broaden access to the certification (I’m not sure which, or both, or neither), ACAMS launched an exam-based version of their advanced audit certification, the Advanced Certified AML Specialist - Audit or CAMS-Audit.
Previously the CAMS-Audit certification involved a 3-day in-person workshop and a white paper in order to achieve the certification. Much to my frustration these workshops - and those for the other in-person advanced certifications - were rarely / never offered in Canada. The associated costs of attending such a workshop in the US made undertaking the certification not possible. So, whatever their motivation, kudos to ACAMS for producing an exam-based version.
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On 04th May 2021, I was part of a roundtable discussion at the Canadian Institute's 20th Canadian Annual Forum on AML and Financial Crime.
The topic for discussion was “How to Equip Your Organisation for the Future of AML Compliance”
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If you are looking for learning and development in the area of Betting, Gambling and/or the Casino industry, there aren’t many options…
Despite being located in North America, none of the major bodies (at time of writing) appeared to offer any certificate courses in this area (save for the GAMS certification). As a result I had to go outside the continent to the International Compliance Association - an association which is more popular in Europe - which offered a specialist-level certificate in Money Laundering Risk in Betting and Gaming.
The syllabus for the certificate covers:
Essential AML Concepts
The Gambling Market - A Summary
Money Laundering Risks in Gambling
Risk Based Approach, Culture & Governance
AML in Operation
Market Outlook
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