View source for Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is a U.S. government agency under the Department of the Treasury responsible for implementing and enforcing economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. OFAC administers and enforces sanctions programs against targeted foreign countries, organizations, individuals, and entities involved in activities such as terrorism, narcotics trafficking, human rights abuses, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

OFAC's primary functions and activities include:

*'''Designation of sanctioned entities and individuals''': OFAC identifies and designates individuals, organizations, and entities that engage in activities that threaten the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. These designations are typically published on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, which is regularly updated.

*'''Sanctions administration and enforcement''': OFAC implements and enforces economic and trade sanctions against designated countries, entities, and individuals by freezing their assets under U.S. jurisdiction, prohibiting U.S. persons and businesses from engaging in transactions with them, and restricting their access to the U.S. financial system.

*'''Licensing and compliance''': OFAC issues licenses authorizing specific transactions that would otherwise be prohibited under the sanctions programs. Additionally, it provides guidance to the private sector, financial institutions, and individuals to ensure compliance with the sanctions regulations.

*'''Penalties for non-compliance''': OFAC has the authority to impose civil and criminal penalties on individuals and organizations that violate U.S. sanctions laws. These penalties can include significant fines, denial of export privileges, and even imprisonment.

U.S. businesses, financial institutions, and individuals are required to comply with OFAC regulations, regardless of whether they operate domestically or internationally. Compliance typically involves screening customers, partners, and transactions against the SDN List and other restricted parties lists, as well as implementing internal controls and procedures to identify, report, and prevent potential violations of the sanctions laws.

In summary, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is a U.S. government agency responsible for implementing and enforcing economic and trade sanctions in support of U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. It plays a critical role in combating illicit activities, such as terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and human rights abuses, by targeting and restricting the financial resources of those engaged in such activities.





== See Also ==
*[[IT Strategy (Information Technology Strategy)]]
*[[IT Governance]]
*[[Enterprise Architecture]]
*[[Chief Information Officer (CIO)]]
*[[IT Sourcing (Information Technology Sourcing)]]
*[[IT Operations (Information Technology Operations)]]
*[[E-Strategy]]






== References ==
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