The Securities and Exchange Commission recently released its Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2018 to 2022. The plan identifies three goals. The first goal is to focus on the long-term interests of Main Street investors. In order to accomplish this objective, the SEC intends to: enhance its outreach and educational efforts; pursue enforcement initiatives related to retail investor misconduct, including microcap fraud; modernize disclosure requirements and the EDGAR system; and promote investment options for retail investors by expanding the number of companies that are SEC-registered and exchange-listed. The second goal relates to enhancing data security. To further this goal, the SEC will focus on ensuring that market participants are engaged in managing cybersecurity risks. The third goal is to invest in the SEC’s analytical capabilities and human capital development. The SEC intends to continue to expand the use of risk and data analytics in detecting improper behavior and bringing enforcement proceedings.
