In the best-run organizations, compliance is about prevention, policies, controls, and culture working together to avoid trouble before it starts.

The compliance profession has always been about navigating rules, ensuring accountability, and guiding organizations through complex regulatory landscapes. But in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation, the compliance officer’s role is undergoing a fundamental shift.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), enacted in 2002, was a direct response to major corporate scandals like Enron and WorldCom that shook investor trust in U.S. markets. Over two decades later, SOX continues to be one of the most influential pieces of corporate governance legislation in the world. It is designed to safeguard investors, promote transparency, and hold executives accountable for the accuracy of financial reporting.