Looking forward to 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations said in a report released earlier this month that its examination priorities include digital assets, cybersecurity and anti-money laundering efforts.

“These priorities reflect OCIE's assessment of certain risks, issues, and policy matters arising from market and regulatory developments, information gathered from examinations, and other sources, including tips, complaints, and referrals, and coordination with other regulators,”  the report states.

As both consumers and members of industry call for federal legislation on data privacy and cybersecurity, OCIE says in the report that cybersecurity is critical to protecting the financial markets. The report says that OCIE will focus on cybersecurity in each of its five program areas. Those areas are investment adviser/investment company; broker-dealer and exchanges; clearance and settlement (OCS); FINRA and securities industry oversight, and the technology controls program (TCP).