Pinkerton Insights Podcast

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: operational and physical risks: - On November 25, tens of thousands of people marched in the main cities of Peru to protest against the high rate of murders of women and gender violence that persists in the country. - In Canada last week, Manitoba health officials reported 1,268 cases of mumps since September 2016. Typically, there are less than five cases of mumps reported in a single year and yet there have been more than 1,000 in 2017. - On November 27, health officials in Ontario, Canada issued a health alert regarding the ongoing streptococcus outbreak in the Middlesex-London area. hazard and event risks: - In Kenya, opposition supporters clashed with security forces during the ongoing inauguration of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. market and economic risks: - Early last week, Turkey, Iran, and Qatar signed a trade and transport ag

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: technology and information risks: - A newly published report indicates that businesses around the world were targeted by up to eight distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack attempts each day during July-September, 2017; registering an increase of 35% compared to the April-June quarter. - According to an investigation by a group of analysts at Quartz, smartphones and tablets running Android have been collecting addresses from nearby cellular towers and sending this information to Google. - Early last week, the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) issued an alert regarding multiple vulnerabilities on Intel processors. operational and physical risks: - Per reports last week, Mitsubishi Materials, a core member of the Mitsubishi Group, admitted and "sincerely apologized" for three of its subsidiaries falsifying data f

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: technology and information risks: - Cyber-security firm Bitdefender Labs has published a whitepaper noting the discovery of a new variant of the Terdot banking trojan. - Earlier this month, cyber-security experts from Palo Alto Networks discovered that the Toast Overlay Attack method was integrated into live malware distribution for the first time. - In Sweden, an investigation commissioned by the government proposed that the police should have the right to conduct secret data reading and interception of online communications without prior approval from the court. Operational and physical risks: - Per Pinkerton Vigilance Network sources citing government authorities in Indonesia, the armed separatist group the West Papua National Liberation Army has detained at least 1,300 people in the villages of Kimberly and Banti since November 10. - 

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: Hazard and event Risks: - The Indian Medical Association has declared a public health emergency in the national capital region of Delhi after air quality deteriorated to the “severe” category. - Four foreign workers of Turkish company Enka were kidnapped in southwest Libya. - The Organization of American States revealed that following the municipal elections that took place on November 5, violent unrest broke out in the Caribbean Coast Region of Nicaragua. Technology and INformation Risk: - Crypto-wallet company Parity Technologies Ltd. issued a “critical” security alert after some users reported that their funds were “frozen.” - Mexico’s National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services (CONDUSEF) warned clients of the multinational banking and financial services company, HSBC, about a new scam. - Late las

In this special edition of the Pinkerton Insights Podcast, we provide an overview of the Spanish province of Catalonia's effort to become independent, issuing a referendum that was quickly refuted by the Spanish government. In this edition, we look at the international and business implications of Catalonia independence and provide our analysts' insight into how this could affect risk levels in Europe and beyond.

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: market and economic risks: - On Tuesday, the Brazilian Senate approved a legislative project to regulate applications related to private passenger transport services. - Last week, the Bank of England (BOE) stated that about 75,000 jobs in the financial services sector could likely be lost due to Brexit, especially in case a UK-EU financial services deal is not reached. - Per Chinese media reports on Thursday, the provincial authorities in Shanxi ordered the local government to limit industrial activity in the province to restrain winter smog. - Per reports on October 31, Singapore released the draft bill on carbon pricing for public consultation on the carbon tax. hazard and event risks: - In Mexico last week, at least three boxes containing human remains were found in downtown Irapuato along with cartel-related criminal messages. - Author

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: Market and economic risks: - The Bank of Canada’s governing council recently issued a statement indicating that it would not raise interest rates for a third time in 2017. - Per reports on October 25, policymakers in Japan are considering forcing businesses to use their cash resources to increase salaries and revise fiscal measures to increase growth in the economy. - The European Central Bank has announced a 50% reduction in its bond-buying program, from  60 billion EUROS a month to 30 billion, starting January 2018. hazard and event risks: - Last week, a freight ship sailing from Equatorial Guinea en route to Monrovia, Liberia, was boarded by pirates three days earlier outside the coast of Nigeria. - In Asia, per a report by The Soufan Center, published last week, with the Islamic State (IS) losing territory in Iraq and Syria, returnees

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: technology and information risks: - Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced last week that customers' credit card information might have been stolen in a breach. Information stolen included card numbers, expiration dates, and verification codes. - Last week,, Google announced that it will be introducing a new cyber-security product, the Advanced Protection Program, that would assist in data-protection for “high-risk users.” - Researchers have announced the existence of a new exploit, KRACK, which targets Wi-Fi networks and access points. - Researchers working at the IT security company, ESET have announced that they discovered a new ransomware attack dubbed DoubleLocker which affects Android devices. Operational and physical risks: - In the United States, the Center for Auto Safety urged Ford Motor Company to issue a recall for 1.3 million 201

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: Hazard and Event Risks: - On October 12, a three-day hearing concluded in which Australia’s High Court debated whether seven parliamentarians that hold dual citizenship are eligible to continue in office. The HIgh Court hearing the case has adjourned to deliberate the outcome. - On Monday last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice to U.S. citizens over a virulent plague outbreak in Madagascar. - The Peruvian government announced a 120-day extension to the state of emergency initially declared on June 13. With this measure in effect, approximately 200 military personnel will remain on the streets of the northwestern district of Tuman until November 9, 2017. technology and information risks: - Per reports last week, two hackers were arrested in Sri Lanka for targeting the Far Eastern Internat

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: Hazard and Event Risks: - Per media reports last last month, Australia is facing what could be the worst flu season recorded. At least 170,000 cases have been confirmed this flu season, which is 2.5 times more than the cases reported in 2016. - The official Saudi Press Agency reported that 22 people had been arrested for “inciting public feelings” on social media, one of which was a Qatari national. - Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajeet Pai proposed providing 77 million US Dollars to fund repairs to communication networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that were damaged by hurricanes in 2017. - Late last month, Air France Flight 66 en route from Paris to Los Angeles lost an engine while over the Atlantic Ocean and was forced to land in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada. Pinkerton finds it likely that Air France wi

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: Hazard and event risks: - The Supreme Court of Thailand has convicted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawattra for negligence in a rice subsidy program; she has been sentenced in absentia to five years in prison. - The Brazilian Army has deployed 950 soldiers in Rio de Janeiro’s Rocinho favela (slum) to counter growing violence there. - According to reports issued by Chilean authorities, at least two Catholic and two Evangelical churches were allegedly torched by a group of Mapuche indigenous people in the southern region of Araucania on September 20, 2017. - Per media reports, increased weather changes pose a threat of zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses spreading further in sub-Saharan Africa. Technology and information risks: - Singapore has been ranked the highest in launching global cyber-attacks according to a study released las

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: Market and Economic Risks: - The European Commission took steps to regulate and introduce a new tax system for digital economy companies such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Uber. - Per reports last week, India and South Korea held a new round of negotiations to improve the existing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which was implemented in 2010. - Free trade agreement talks between China and the Maldives have concluded after two years, following five rounds of negotiations. - The government of the Mexican state of Puebla last week announced that Cabify, a transportation network company, would no longer be able to operate in the state. - On Thursday last week, it was announced that the Argentinean authorities approved a new sanitary certificate for the importation of fresh and unboned Brazilian meat into the country. TEchnolo

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: Hazard and Event Risks: - The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on key information regarding the cholera epidemic that has broken out in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to official estimates, the disease has so far affected 20 of 26 provinces, with a total of 528 deaths, since the beginning of 2017. - The upcoming referendum on Kurdish independence in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq was officially rejected by Iraq’s parliament last week. - In Mexico, the Ministry of Communications and Transport stated that at least 26% (34 out of 130) of the Federal Highway Network faces structural damage. Market and Economic Risks: - An advisor to Japan’s Financial Services Agency reported that the consolidation of regional banks in Japan is unavoidable given the "rapidly aging population and ultra-low interest rates." - U.S

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. See below for the key issues from this week’s edition: Market and Economic Risks - U.S. President Donald Trump instructed government officials to prepare for the U.S. withdrawal from its free trade agreement with South Korea. - The Trump administration announced that it would the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy aimed at protecting immigrants brought illegally into the U.S. as children from deportation. - Sources familiar with the current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation talks in Mexico City reported that the three countries’s negotiators have not been able to agree on most of the key issues. - China is attempting to delay the progress of the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC). Developed by India and Japan, the AAGC aims to create new sea corridors linking Asia-Pacific countries with Africa through infrastructure programs. - China has agreed that t

Each week, we break down international news into our four quadrants of risk and present ways to mitigate those risks. Click below for the key issues from this week's edition: Market and Economic Risks - PAKISTAN’S PRIME MINISTER ABBASI ANNOUNCED THAT THE COUNTRY WOULD NOT DEVALUE ITS CURRENCY, THE PAKISTANI RUPEE (PKR), DESPITE FALLING FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES AND DECLINING CREDIT RATINGS. - IN POLAND, THE NATIONAL LABOR INSPECTORATE REPORTED HAZARD THAT SINCE 2007, LABOR INSPECTORS HAVE CARRIED OUT NEARLY 240,000 CONTROLS ON EMPLOYMENT LEGALITY CONCERNING 18 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. - THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING EXCLUDING IMPORTS OF POWDERED MILK FROM ARGENTINA AND URUGUAY FROM THE MERCOSUR FREE TRADE AGREEMENT DUE TO A COMPLAINT FROM BRAZILIAN PRODUCERS. - ACCORDING TO DATA PUBLISHED BY THE CONFEDERATION OF RURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF BUENOS AIRES AND LA PAMPA , THE RECENT RAINS HAVE FLOODED ALMOST A THIRD OF THE TWO REGIONS COVERED BY THIS CONFEDERATION. TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATI

In this edition, the following key global security issues are reviewed based on Pinkerton's four quadrants of risk:   Hazard and Event Risks - U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED AN UPDATED TRAVEL WARNING FOR U.S. CITIZENS HEADING TO MEXICO DUE TO INCREASED VIOLENCE. - ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY, ABOUT 60 MILLION PEOPLE IN PAKISTAN ARE AT “HIGH RISK” OF ARSENIC POISONING FROM CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER. Technology and Information Risks: - A SECURITY REPORT SUGGESTS THAT TURLA, A RUSSIAN-LINKED CYBER-ESPIONAGE GROUP, HAS BEEN USING A NEW MALWARE DROPPER. - THE UNITED STATES HAS OFFICIALLY INITIATED INVESTIGATIONS INTO CHINA’S ALLEGED THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. - ACCORDING TO MEDIA REPORTS, IDENTITY THEFT HAS REACHED AN “EPIDEMIC LEVEL,” HENCE, MAKING ONLINE FINANCIAL ASSETS, AND PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION, MORE VULNERABLE. - ALIBABA’S UC BROWSER IS UNDER GOVERNMENT SCRUTINY FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS THAT THE BROWSER IS A TOOL FOR DATA THEFT. OPERATIONAL AND PHYSICAL RISKS - LAST TUESDAY IN COLUMBIA, AT L

This week some of the key issues are warring cartels in Mexico leading to insecurity….military exercise raise fears in Venezuela….new malware that uses PowerPoint to infiltrate computers….and sanctions on North Korea being imposed by China in response to a nuclear threat.

This week some of the key issues are tainted eggs affecting the health of people in 15 European countries….Cyber-security threats in the solar energy sector….New rules in the UK that puts more responsibility on data owners for information protection….And new border regulations in Austria aimed at controlling immigration.

This week, we look at a massive cocaine seizure in Peru….drought conditions in Rome likely to lead to water rationing...a sharp rise in dengue cases in Sri Lanka….and a new phishing scheme targeting Bank of America customer accounts in the United States.

This week we look at a cyber attack against a financial institution in India...new measures in the German state of Bavaria to reduce air pollution….The arrest of the Turkish director of amnesty international on suspected terrorist connections...and a sanitary alert issued in Chile due to more than 27,000 eggs entering the country from Bolivia, a country known to have animal diseases.