Portman Square Group

The recent Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of certain Mexican cartels by the US government has major implications for American businesses operating in Mexico. This classification brings new legal, financial, operational, and cybersecurity challenges—and companies need to act now to stay ahead of the risks. What This Means for US Businesses: - Legal & Compliance Risks – Stricter anti-money laundering (AML) and counterterrorism financing (CTF) regulations may affect supply chains, financial transactions, and vendor relationships. - Supply Chain Disruptions – Increased border inspections, logistics delays, and rising security costs could impact operations. - Liability for Executives – Under US law, even indirect financial transactions linked to cartels could trigger serious legal consequences. - Insurance & Risk Exposure – Higher costs for kidnap & ransom (K&R) insurance, political risk insurance, and potential operational shutdowns in cartel-dominated regions. - US-Mexico Diplomatic Tensions – Potential trade disruptions and stricter enforcement actions could reshape the USMCA business environment. - Cybersecurity Threats?–Cartels are evolving beyond traditional criminal activities, leveraging?cybercrime-as-a-service?models to conduct?cross-border attacks, financial fraud, data breaches, and espionage. These attacks could disrupt U.S. businesses, compromise sensitive data, and facilitate further criminal activity. ? For companies operating in manufacturing, logistics, energy, agriculture, finance, and beyond, this evolving landscape demands proactive risk mitigation. Now is the time to assess vulnerabilities, strengthen compliance programs, and build resilient supply chains and cybersecurity defenses. With over two decades of operating experience in Latin America and the US, Portman Square Group can deliver security risk assessments, regulatory compliance, and corporate risk mitigation for businesses operating in high-risk regions. Whether you need a supply chain audit, legal risk analysis, or crisis management strategy, our team is here to help. Connect with us to discuss how your business can navigate this complex environment safely and strategically. #RiskManagement #Security #MexicoBusiness #SupplyChain #Compliance #USMexicoTrade #FTODesignation #CrisisManagement #BusinessContinuity

While recent shifts in U.S. FCPA enforcement have made headlines, global anti-corruption oversight continues to expand and evolve. Organizations operating internationally face regulations that often exceed FCPA requirements in scope and scrutiny. The UK Bribery Act, France's Sapin II, and Canada's CFPOA maintain enforcement mechanisms with extensive jurisdictional reach. These laws set compliance standards that affect companies across industries and borders. With over two decades of experience in regulatory compliance, Portman Square Group provides strategic guidance to help organizations build resilient compliance programs that address current requirements and emerging risks. Connect with us to discuss how your organization can strengthen its anti-corruption framework in today's shifting regulatory landscape. #FCPA #RegulatoryCompliance #CorporateGovernance #AntiBribery #InternationalBusiness #UKBriberyAct #Compliance #RiskManagement #AntiCorruption #BusinessEthics

Every business—large or small—faces the potential for unexpected challenges. At Portman Square Group, we specialize in helping organizations prepare for the unforeseen. Our Business Resiliency services empower you to proactively mitigate risks and confidently navigate worst-case scenarios. From Threat and Vulnerability Assessments, Cyber Resilience and Threat Prevention Services, Supply Chain Risk Assessments, to Crisis Communication Strategy, we partner with domestic and international organizations to create tailored strategies for success. With extensive expertise in guiding businesses through complex situations, our team is ready to help you build resilience and safeguard your operations. Don’t wait for a crisis to test your preparedness—be ready. If your business needs a crisis strategy or you’re looking to strengthen your existing plans, connect with us today. #BusinessResilience #CrisisManagement #CyberSecurity #RiskMitigation #LeadershipStrategy #CrisisCommunication #SupplyChainResilience #Preparedness #ExecutiveProtection #BusinessContinuity

OffshoreAlert's London Conference 2024 kicks off today and Portman Square Group is proud to sponsor this year's event. PSG CEO Michael Baker will be presenting a session on "Utilizing Investigators & Intelligence Specialists to Win Disputes & Locate Assets." PSG leaders Emily R. Baker, Kurt Pipal, Aaron Cheng, and Alan Caldwell will be onsite during the conference, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul's on December 2-3. Come visit our booth to learn more about PSG. #offshorealert

Last night, the members of PNDC came together to celebrate a year filled with new opportunities, events, and friends. Keith Swenson, from the Washington State Department of Commerce, welcomed guests to the state, and Denise Ryser gave opening remarks and a review of the year. Ben Sappington, Director of Aerospace and Defense at Moss Adams introduced the evening's Keynote Speaker, Michael Baker, Chairman & CEO of the Portman Square Group. PNDC's Board Chairman, Eric Yates, shared a look at what is to come in 2024 while also thanking our departing board members. We would like to congratulate our 2025 Award Recipients PARTNER OF THE YEAR Washington State Department of Commerce SUSTAINING MEMBER OF THE YEAR Dorsey & Whitney LLP MEMBER OF THE YEAR Trillium Engineering INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR Geist Robotics COMMITTEE MEMBER OF THE YEAR Tyler Lewis Grover, GrovTec Machining 2024 LES DE ASIS ANNUAL DEFENSE & SECURITY LEADERSHIP AWARD Eric Pool, Teledyne FLIR If you missed this year's Annual Dinner, we hope you will mark your calendars and join us next year! A huge thank you to our sponsors - Washington State Department of Commerce Moss Adams Boeing LocalFresh, Inc. HBG Consulting LLC Sigma Design Dylan Aerospace Northwest Aerospace News Magazine inTech Consulting, LLC.

?? Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: From Risk Management to Value Creation Geopolitical instability is now the top concern for global economic growth, as confirmed by recent McKinsey & Company research. But here’s the key insight: with the right strategies, these challenges can become catalysts for growth. At Portman Square Group, we help companies transform uncertainty into opportunity through: * Commercial Acceleration: Capturing new markets and customer bases * Strategic Portfolio Optimization: Aligning investments with emerging opportunities * Operational Optimization: Building resilience while driving efficiency The evolving trade landscape, changing risk perceptions, and new growth corridors demand a proactive approach. Learn how PSG empowers organizations to thrive in a volatile world by turning risks into sustainable competitive advantages. Read more about how your organization can adapt and seize emerging opportunities. #GeopoliticalRisk #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #GlobalTrade #EconomicGrowth #RiskMitigation #BusinessIntelligence

Portman Square Group is proud to announce that we are sponsoring OffshoreAlert's London Conference 2024. PSG CEO Michael Baker will be presenting a session on "Utilizing Investigators & Intelligence Specialists to Win Disputes & Locate Assets." Meet with PSG leaders Kurt Pipal, Aaron Cheng, and Alan Caldwell at the OffshoreAlert London Conference 2024 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul's on December 2-3. #offshorealert Emily R. Baker

We’re thrilled to welcome Kurt Pipal as our new Director of Cyber Services and Investigation, marking a pivotal expansion of our cybersecurity and investigations capabilities. Kurt brings over 20 years of distinguished service with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where he led landmark counterintelligence and cyber investigations—including the groundbreaking 2013 economic espionage case against Chinese hackers. His expertise in tackling advanced persistent threats and managing high-stakes international investigations will be instrumental in helping our clients navigate today’s evolving risk landscape. “We are excited to welcome Kurt to the PSG team,” said Michael Baker, CEO of Portman Square Group. “His knowledge and strategic leadership in cyber investigations will be an incredible asset as we tackle the growing complexities?of cyber threats.” Kurt shares our passion for safeguarding businesses and institutions. As he puts it: “Joining PSG presents an exciting opportunity to bring my experience to the private sector and help organizations navigate today’s complex cybersecurity landscape. I look forward to collaborating with this talented team to deliver unparalleled security and intelligence solutions.” At Portman Square Group, we’re committed to protecting our clients’ interests against the most complex risks. With Kurt on board, our ability to deliver cutting-edge cybersecurity and investigative services reaches new heights. Join us in welcoming Kurt to the team! #Cybersecurity #Investigations #Leadership #PortmanSquareGroup #RiskManagement #Innovation

?No olvides asegurar tu registro a este evento! Portman Square Group se complace en anunciar el evento Combatiendo el Fraude en Latinoamérica: Tendencias y Soluciones para la Detección y Prevención de Fraude. Nosotros se enorgullece de ser una organización de apoyo para la Semana Internacional de Concientización sobre el Fraude este mes. Estamos organizando una sesión educativa de 4 horas y media el 21 de noviembre de 2024 en la Universidad Anáhuac México, Campus Norte. Nuestro equipo compartirá los conocimientos adquiridos a lo largo de décadas de experiencia en ciberseguridad y mitigación de riesgos para empleados, clientes y el público. Las sesiones se centrarán en las tendencias de fraude en la cadena de suministro, fraude bancario, fraude en el sector minorista, y en la detección y prevención de ciberseguridad. Esta sesión se llevará a cabo en espa?ol. Para más información: https://lnkd.in/g98t9tW5 #fraudweek

Portman Square Group is proud to be a supporting organization for International Fraud Awareness Week this month and we invite you to attend our seminar in Mexico City - Combating Fraud in Latin America: Trends and Solutions for Fraud Detection and Prevention. This 4 and a 1/2 hour long educational session on November 21st, 2024 will be hosted at Anáhuac University Mexico,?North Campus. Our team will share what they have learned through decades of experience in cybersecurity and risk mitigation for employees, clients, and the public. Sessions will focus on trends in supply chain fraud, bank fraud, retail fraud, and cybersecurity detection and prevention.?This event will be held in Spanish. #fraudweek?