SEC Appoints Ex-Morgan Stanley Exec as First Chief Risk Officer

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the appointment of its first Chief Risk Officer (CRO) on Thursday evening. Gabriel Benincasa, a lawyer with an array of experience at different financial institutions, will replace acting CRO Julie Erhardt.

“It is an honor to serve America’s investors and markets as the SEC’s first [CRO]," said Benincasa. "I look forward to joining the team and building upon existing programs to help the agency tackle current and future challenges.”

Most banks and other financial institutions are, of course, required to have some form of CRO. With growing regulatory scrutiny and massive fines for infringing upon compliance rules, the importance of the CRO role has been growing since the financial crisis took place a decade ago.

Thus, it's not too surprising to see a regulator, especially one as respected as the SEC, appoint its own CRO. It was Jay Clayton, the regulator's Chairman, who decided to create the position.

“Establishing the [CRO] position at the SEC is an important step forward in our continuing efforts to strengthen the agency’s Risk Management Risk Management One of the most common terms utilized by brokers, risk management refers to the practice of identifying potential risks in advance. Most commonly, this also involves the analysis of risk and the undertaking of precautionary steps to both mitigate and prevent for such risk.Such efforts are essential for brokers and venues in the finance industry, given the potential for fallout in the face of unforeseen events or crises. Given a more tightly regulated environment across nearly every asset class, One of the most common terms utilized by brokers, risk management refers to the practice of identifying potential risks in advance. Most commonly, this also involves the analysis of risk and the undertaking of precautionary steps to both mitigate and prevent for such risk.Such efforts are essential for brokers and venues in the finance industry, given the potential for fallout in the face of unforeseen events or crises. Given a more tightly regulated environment across nearly every asset class, Read this Term program,” said Clayton.

Strengthening Cybersecurity Cybersecurity Cybersecurity is a blanket term that refers to the protection of computer systems and networks from the theft.More broadly speaking, cybersecurity can also represent countermeasures against damage to hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.It was not long ago that the term cybersecurity not exist as it was first used in 1989. In today’s vernacular cybersecurity, refers to measures taken to protect a computer or computer Cybersecurity is a blanket term that refers to the protection of computer systems and networks from the theft.More broadly speaking, cybersecurity can also represent countermeasures against damage to hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.It was not long ago that the term cybersecurity not exist as it was first used in 1989. In today’s vernacular cybersecurity, refers to measures taken to protect a computer or computer Read this Term at the SEC

According to a statement released by the regulator, Benincasa will be advising other executives on enterprise risks and controls. On top of that, he'll be attempting to bolster the SEC's cybersecurity efforts and identify, and defend against, any other risks facing the regulator.

"Gabe is an experienced senior leader with deep risk, legal, compliance, and financial markets expertise," continued Clayton. "I am certain we will benefit from his advice and insights. I also want to thank Julie for giving us a running start on this initiative.”

Erhardt, who had been acting CRO as the SEC looked for someone to take the position, will remain with the regulator. She will return to her prior position as Deputy Chief Accountant for Technology and Innovation.