The drama continues ... on several fronts.

• Position: FROM THE EDITOR - Tax increases for population and business as usual - Editorial

The fiscal cliff episode resulted in tax increases for a targeted portion of the population but made no meaningful change in taming the nation's out-of-control spending. In fact, after much drama, reports note that the deal--which will leave Americans with an additional $4 trillion in debt over 10 years--includes special-interest treatment to favored constituencies. Welcome to business as usual in Washington, D.C.

Now, business as usual in the business world has a different definition. Business, for the most part, is a daily exercise with measurable and accountable results, which are often good. People report to work, knowing their responsibilities and what they aim to accomplish. Many work on deadlines and cannot kick cans down roads; they develop and implement plans and budgets that reflect reality. And, businesses perform--as expected--by their customers, shareholders/investors and other constituencies. If they don't, they will be out of business.

Since our readers operate, for the most part, far away from D.C., there is work to be done, and we want to help. We present this issue, which includes topics to assist financial executives in their jobs.

The cover story examines the growth of cybercrime and the resulting cybersecurity initiatives--and oftentimes lack of comprehensive programs. Kelly Bissell, a Deloitte principal and security and privacy specialist, writes: "Though many are calling for federal standards and regulations--which may be a matter of time--in their absence, organizations should transform how they think about cybersecurity." He further argues that organizations should view cybersecurity not through an IT lens, but as a strategic issue.

With risk management a hot topic still, Ken Posner, author of the article Beware the Black Swan, reports that executives need special protocols for strategic decision-making in a world...