SPARK Institute and FS-ISAC to Partner with DHS on Workshops to Help Employers Protect Employee Data

Issued by: SPARK Institute

Date: Sept. 9, 2019

Simsbury, CT, Monday, September 9, 2019 - The SPARK Institute and the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) announced today the kickoff of a series of regional Cyber Security Workshops in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). With cyber-attacks a constant threat to American businesses, these events will promote cyber programs, education and other tools intended to help strengthen the retirement cyber security chain.

On Thursday, October 17, 2019, Charles Schwab will host the first of these FS-ISAC / SPARK / DHS workshops at its Denver Lone Tree Campus. FS-ISAC and SPARK reached out to the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This new agency within the DHS enterprise is tasked with leading the national effort in managing risk to our critical infrastructure.

This event is designed to educate plan sponsors and other retirement industry providers on four topics:

1. How the U.S. Government and DHS / FBI / USSS can help businesses better defend against cyberattacks,
   
2. Share the mission of FS-ISAC; an industry consortium dedicated to reducing cyber-risk in the global financial system.
   
3. The tools SPARK members developed to help employers evaluate the cyber security of their vendors and
   
4. Charles Schwab's approach to cybersecurity and protecting client data.

Mr. Rouse noted "As a member of SPARK's Data Security Oversight Board, Charles Schwab immediately reached out to me about hosting a regional event for Denver-area plan sponsors, thirdparty administrators (TPAs), consultants, and advisors."

"As an industry, we all understand the importance of helping plan sponsor clients and their employees manage and mitigate cyber security risks. Charles Schwab is very pleased to host this inaugural workshop with SPARK, FS-ISAC and CISA at our Denver Lone Tree campus," said Catherine Golladay, president, Schwab Retirement Plan Services.

About The SPARK Institute
The SPARK Institute represents the interests of a broad-based cross section of retirement plan service providers and investment managers, including members that are banks, mutual fund companies, insurance companies, third party administrators, trade clearing firms and benefits consultants. Through the combined expertise of its member companies, the Institute provides research, education, testimony and comments on pending legislative and regulatory issues to members of Congress and relevant Government agency officials. Collectively, its members serve approximately 100 million participants in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans.

About FS-ISAC
The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) is an industry consortium dedicated to reducing cyber-risk in the global financial system. Serving financial institutions and in turn their customers, the organization leverages its intelligence platform, resiliency resources, and a trusted peer-to-peer network of experts to anticipate, mitigate and respond to cyberthreats. FS-ISAC has nearly 7,000-member firms with users in more than 70 countries. Headquartered in the US, the organization has offices in the UK and Singapore. To learn more, visit www.fsisac.com.

About Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
On November 16, 2018, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2018 was signed into law. Replacing the old agency term of NPPD - National Protection & Programs Directorate renaming it to CISA.

The new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the Nation's risk advisor, working with partners to defend against today's threats and collaborating with industry to build more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future. CISA is at the heart of mobilizing a collective defense as we lead the Nation's efforts to understand and manage risk to our critical infrastructure as part of the DHS enterprise. Our partners in this mission span the public and private sectors. Programs and services, we provide are driven by our comprehensive understanding of the risk environment and the corresponding needs identified by our stakeholders. We seek to help organizations better manage risk and increase resilience using all available resources, whether provided by the Federal Government, commercial vendors, or their own capabilities.

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