Caroline McDonald

Articles By Author

Disasters Highlight Potential Uses for Drones

October 1, 2018

Risk managers and insurers are finding new applications for drone technology.

Costs of SOX Compliance

October 1, 2018

Enacted in 2002, Sarbanes-Oxley has continued to evolve for the publicly held companies it governs, as do the costs of compliance.

Managing Energy Sector Risks

September 4, 2018

A new study highlights both the growing risk management capabilities and enduring barriers in the energy sector.

The Surprising Toll of Invasive Species

August 1, 2018

Non-native plants and animals can cause billions of dollars in damage every year.

Captive Trends Reflect Today’s Business Needs

August 1, 2018

A recent report sheds light on what kinds of companies are using captives and why.

Adapting to Innovation Risks

June 1, 2018

While innovation is necessary to move companies forward, it also presents another set of risks.

Fertility Clinic Failures Highlight Storage Risks

May 1, 2018

Equipment malfunctions at two fertility clinics underscore the need for better safeguards.

Risk Complexity Increasing

May 1, 2018

A majority of organizations recently experienced operational surprise due to unexpected risks.

Active Shooter Coverage Gaining Traction

April 2, 2018

Insurance products are adapting as the number of mass shootings grows.

Q&A: Communicating Risk

April 2, 2018

RIMS President Robert Cartwright, Jr., discusses the evolution of risk management.

M&A Growth Consistent in 2018

April 2, 2018

Despite large recent acquisitions, M&A activity is expected to largely comprise smaller transactions in 2018.

The Rising Tide of ­Maritime Shipping Risks

March 1, 2018

New technology and increased global trade have led to new risks for the shipping industry.

Global Fraud Incidents on the Rise

March 1, 2018

As incidents continue to rise, the lines between forms of fraud are increasingly blurred.

Insurance Buyers Face Shifting Market

February 1, 2018

Willis Towers Watson’s Joe Peiser discusses what insurance buyers can expect in the coming year.

Preventing Employee Lawsuits

February 1, 2018

Employee lawsuits cost companies an average of $160,000 for cases that result in a defense and settlement payment.

Can Employees Be Fired for Political Action?

December 1, 2017

Employers must tread carefully when addressing employees who act on controversial beliefs.

ERM Benchmarks

December 1, 2017

Adoption and advancement of enterprise risk management programs are on the rise, but considerable room for improvement remains.

The Rise of Intangible Assets

December 1, 2017

Businesses are shifting from a focus on tangible assets to intangible assets.

Notepad: Risk in Review – November

November 1, 2017

The Las Vegas massacre, Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico, and more.

Cyberrisk, Talent Pose Top Risks for Financial Services

November 1, 2017

Risk management is gaining prominence in the financial services industry, where boards are devoting more time to oversight.

Improving Water Risk Management

November 1, 2017

Businesses in the food industry are becoming more aware of their usage and management of water.

Alternative Energy Strategies

October 2, 2017

Businesses in the United States are getting serious about energy resource management programs.

College Captive Offers Hands-On Experience

September 1, 2017

A Butler University program gives students the chance to develop and manage their own captive.

Notepad: Risk in Review – September

September 1, 2017

Hackers extort HBO, Kanye West v. Lloyd’s, voting machine flaws exposed, and more.

Global Risk Concerns

September 1, 2017

Headline news correlated directly with the top-10 concerns of risk managers globally in 2016.

Notepad: Risk in Review – July/August

August 1, 2017

Investigating the cause of London’s Grenfell Tower fire, Uber’s CEO resigns, and more.

IoT Risks for the Oil and Gas Industry

August 1, 2017

The internet of things has improved productivity and lowered costs in the oil and gas industry, but also introduces vulnerability to cyberattacks.

Notepad: Risk in Review – June

June 1, 2017

Hacking the French election, a unicorn fight, a reputation crisis at United Airlines and more.

Board Oversight and Sustainability

June 1, 2017

Environmental, social, and governance initiatives appear to be directly related to a company’s long-term performance and profitability.

Notepad: Risk in Review - May

May 1, 2017

North Carolina’s bathroom bill repeal, the Atlantic hurricane season outlook and more.

The Infrastructure Investment Gap

May 1, 2017

The United States spends only 2.5% of its GDP on infrastructure.

Arson Dogs to the Rescue

April 3, 2017

Fire scene investigators team up with trained canine detectives to help sniff out foul play.

Oroville Dam Highlights Infrastructure Risks

April 3, 2017

The near-collapse of a California dam underlines the perils of decaying infrastructure.

Only Humans Can Prevent Wildfires

April 3, 2017

A study of wildfires in the United States found that the number of blazes caused by humans is much higher than previously believed.

Low Margins Put Shipping at Risk

March 1, 2017

Market conditions in the shipping industry may mean crises for cargo companies.

Delivering Risk

March 1, 2017

As restaurant deliveries become more popular, so do the accompanying risks.

Steady Supply: The 2017 P/C Insurance Market Outlook

February 1, 2017

Declining premium rates and abundant capacity point to a favorable market for property/casualty insurance in 2017.

Marijuana in the Workplace

February 1, 2017

Only seven states do not allow usage of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes, but complicated workers compensation issues remain.

Hurricane Matthew's Destructive Path

December 1, 2016

Experts survey the toll of Hurricane Matthew’s damage from Haiti to the Southeast United States.

Insurers and Climate Change

December 1, 2016

While more U.S. insurers are improving their disclosure and management of climate risk, most are still giving it minimal attention.

Pollution Risks for Contractors

November 1, 2016

While the construction industry is seeing a revival, the skilled labor shortage has increased the risk of errors.

Better Supply Chain Monitoring

October 3, 2016

Many of the tools companies are using to monitor their supply chains are not adequate to identify compliance and reputation risks.

Compliance Officers Under Fire

October 3, 2016

As new regulations put increased focus on individual accountability, more chief compliance officers are questioning their careers.

The Insurance Impact of the Fort McMurray Wildfires

September 1, 2016

Canada's costliest natural disaster will have significant insurance implications.

The Weakest Supply Chain Link

September 1, 2016

As supply chains become more digitally interconnected, they are also becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyberattack.

Captive Creativity

August 1, 2016

Many innovative companies are developing new strategic uses for their captives.

Integrating Organizational Risk

August 1, 2016

While risk management is becoming increasingly prominent, companies are still trying to find a more integrated approach.

Political Statements Send a Costly Message

June 1, 2016

What happens when artists cancel shows in protest against North Carolina’s “bathroom law?”

Combating C-Suite Fraud

June 1, 2016

A persistent minority of executives continues to justify corrupt activity to improve financial performance.

Third-Party Risks Spark Corruption Concerns

May 2, 2016

As third-party and M&A activities rise, gaps in anti-corruption measures are increasingly clear.

Why Go Global?

May 2, 2016

For organizations wishing to grow into other areas of the world, knowing why can be a key factor in success.

Getting the Lead Out

April 1, 2016

Flint's water contamination crisis underscores a risk faced by communities around the country.

Q&A: All in a Day’s Work

April 1, 2016

Julie Pemberton, RIMS’ 2016 president, discusses ERM implementation and goals for her term.

M&A and Talent Risk

April 1, 2016

Organizations that give the same focus to talent as they do to operations and finance will realize the most value from a merger or acquisition.

Climate Change Tops Global Concerns

March 1, 2016

The World Economic Forum highlights the greatest risks facing the planet this year.

Class Action Litigation Trends

March 1, 2016

The top 10 settlements in employment-related categories reaching an all-time high in 2015, and the surge of activity is expected to continue.

Boards Still Not Prepared for Social Media Risk

March 1, 2016

Only 6% of boards feel as though they are well-versed in social media risk.

Buyer's Market: Favorable P/C Insurance Pricing Expected Through 2016

February 1, 2016

While property/casualty insurance rates remain low, uncertainty over cyberrisk coverage and potential catastrophe losses looms.

Q&A: Preventing Tragedy in the Workplace

December 1, 2015

Jay Hart of the Force Training Institute shares strategies that can help keep employees safe.

Attitudes Toward Corruption

December 1, 2015

A gap between the perceived effectiveness of a company’s compliance program and reality gives businesses a false sense of security.

Planning for Water Shortages

December 1, 2015

Multi-year droughts may be part of a new normal that requires businesses to plan ahead for water shortages.

U.S. Businesses Lag Behind on ERM

November 2, 2015

A study found U.S. companies have more immature ERM processes than those in any other region.

Taking Control of Legionnaires' Disease

October 1, 2015

A recent outbreak reminds building managers to take critical precautions.

Advantages of Strategic Risk Management

October 1, 2015

SRM addresses risks that are disruptive, but also looks at a risk’s “flip side."

Risk Students Face Real-World Challenges

September 1, 2015

The Spencer/RIMS Risk Management Challenge helps students bridge the gap between classroom lessons and real-world implementation.

Leveraging Compliance

September 1, 2015

Despite rising regulatory risks and ambitious growth plans, compliance departments are often not involved in strategic planning.

Onward and Upward: Trends in Captive Insurance

August 3, 2015

Trends in the captive insurance market point to continued growth and expansion.

Amtrak Derailment Spurs Focus on Safety

August 3, 2015

Updated safety technology could have prevented May's deadly crash in Philadelphia.

Hurricanes and Climate Change

August 3, 2015

Has climate change had any effect on the hurricanes driving catastrophe market losses?

Q&A: Finding Fault with Faulty Workmanship

June 2, 2015

Attorney Tracy Alan Saxe discusses one of the ways property owners miss out on claims.

Risk and the Bottom Line

June 2, 2015

Organizations with a proactive risk management focus saw the benefits in annual profit margins.

Coverage Scarce for Crude Oil Haulers

May 1, 2015

The increased demand for oil trucking has outpaced insurance coverage availability.

The Costs of Not Going Paperless

May 1, 2015

Capturing and storing data on paper forms costs businesses worldwide more than $30 billion annually.

In the Event of an Emergency

April 1, 2015

Events like RIMS 2015 require hospitality professionals to become risk managers.

Q&A: Reining in the Risks

April 1, 2015

RIMS President Richard Roberts discusses his risk management program and industry trends.

Internet of Things Use Lagging

April 1, 2015

Most executives see the opportunities in IoT technology, but few have developed a strategy and committed funds to use it.

The Night the Lights Went Out

April 1, 2015

How emergency planning saved Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans

Globalization Drives Top Risk Concerns

March 2, 2015

A study reveals that businesses worry most about business interruption and supply chain risk.

Hospitality's Unwelcome Risks

March 2, 2015

The very amenities that attract guests to a hotel, motel, resort or casino can also be the cause of injury, disease or even death.

P/C Pricing Inching Down for 2015

February 2, 2015

After almost three years of premium increases, the property/casualty market may be softening.

Drone Power

February 2, 2015

According to a new study, about 40,000 drones are expected to be in use in 2015, but a few challenges still need to be addressed.

Insurers Unprepared for Climate Risks

February 2, 2015

Only about half of property/casualty insurers are comprehensively addressing climate risks.

The Implications of Ebola for the Workforce

December 2, 2014

Employers need to be aware of certain legal and financial issues related to the Ebola epidemic.

Global Fraud Report

December 2, 2014

Global fraud losses add up to $3.7 trillion a year, with three-fourths attributed to employees.

P/C Market Softening Expected for 2015

December 2, 2014

Insureds should have many options for coverage in 2015, according to a new Willis report.

Protecting Students Abroad from Ebola

October 1, 2014

As Ebola spreads throughout West Africa, vigilance and contingency planning are critical.

To Insure or Not To Insure

October 1, 2014

Insurance expert Michael Levine discusses the implications of the Napa Valley earthquake.

Warming Trends May Benefit Maritime

October 1, 2014

Climate change risk could turn into an opportunity for the shipping industry.

Captive Use for Cyberrisk Low

October 1, 2014

Few organizations use their captive insurer to cover cyberrisks.

Wind Farms Run Afoul of Endangered Birds

September 1, 2014

As wind turbine construction increases, so do threats to federally protected bird species.

New Crop Strategies Target Bee Scarcity

September 1, 2014

Researchers are increasing their efforts to combat disappearing bee populations.

The Graduate's Perspective

September 1, 2014

Risk management professionals discuss how their educational experience shaped their career.

Trends in Higher Education: Real World Lessons

September 1, 2014

By maximizing program relevance, schools are drawing in more students for a new class of risk managers.

Total Cost of Risk on the Rise in 2013

September 1, 2014

Organizations paid more to cover their risks in 2013 than in previous years.

Beware of Lightning Season

August 1, 2014

Summer is the peak season for lightning strikes, which cost insurers millions of dollars every year.

Turning up the Heat on Climate Change

August 1, 2014

Teenage polar explorer Parker Liautaud discusses his first-hand research on climate change.

Steady As She Goes: 2014 Captive Domicile Review

August 1, 2014

In our annual captive review, we examine the top trends influencing key domiciles.

Data Legislation Patchwork

August 1, 2014

Despite a number of recent high profile data breaches, efforts to establish national standards for data security have failed.

GM Faces Uphill Climb After Recall

June 1, 2014

General Motors has been forced to reassess safety protocols as costs mount for its ignition switch recall.

Should TRIA Be Renewed?

June 1, 2014

The economic impact on federal spending if TRIA is allowed to expire.

A Snapshot of the Property Market

June 1, 2014

Premium rate trends in the property-casualty insurance market.

Risk Miscommunication

May 1, 2014

Examining risk communication at the executive level.

Are You Ready for the Hurricane?

May 1, 2014

With the Atlantic hurricane season approaching, companies can better prepare by using past storm experiences as a guide.

Safety Rules Put Railroads Back on Track

April 1, 2014

Accidents involving freight trains carrying crude oil have prompted a new focus on rail safety.

West Virginia Spill Reveals Lax Regulation

March 1, 2014

A chemical spill that contaminated the drinking water for thousands of residents prompts regulatory scrutiny.

A Conversation with Carolyn Snow

March 1, 2014

RIMS President Carolyn Snow shares her thoughts on risk management and the society’s focus for 2014.

A Bridge Too Far: Repairing America’s Aging Infrastructure

February 1, 2014

Even as much of the U.S. transportation infrastructure faces the possibility of failure, states are struggling to fund maintenance and repairs.

Paper Pushing

February 1, 2014

Old-fashioned board reporting.

Respect Your Supply Chain

December 1, 2013

Supply chain concerns.

Shifts in Class Action Trends

December 1, 2013

Class action litigation trends focus on emerging areas such as food safety, data privacy and patent trolls.

Board Risk Preferences

December 1, 2013

The board’s role in risk strategy.

Risk Status Rising

November 1, 2013

Accenture’s Steve Culp discusses a new survey that reveals an increasing corporate profile for risk managers.

Driverless Cars: A Risky Opportunity?

November 1, 2013

Autonomous vehicles are creating new risks for manufacturers and insurers alike.

Boards More Attuned to Risk

November 1, 2013

Board risk management.

Supply Chain Angst

October 1, 2013

Supply chain concerns.

Cell Tower Deaths Get OSHA’s Attention

October 1, 2013

The increasing demand for cell phone service may be compromising the safety of cell tower workers.

Death, Taxes and Cybersecurity

September 12, 2013

The cybersecurity concerns of tax professionals.

The Path to Risk Management

September 1, 2013

Graduates are finding that jobs in other sectors of the insurance industry can lead to a solid risk management career.