With our fast-digitalizing world, the field of digital forensics is evolving quicker than ever. New trends and challenges keep surfacing, forcing investigators to acquire new skillsets and adapt daily. They stress the absolute necessity of law enforcement and intelligence in being updated on a constant basis with the emergence of new technology and solutions.

Digital forensics is revolutionized by some significant trends, including:

1. Mobile Forensics

Mobiles are everywhere, and they contain so much information. Mobile forensics, therefore, is a potent force that cannot be taken lightly by investigators. Leading companies like Cellebrite provide specialized tools and services for mobile data and evidence recovery and analysis. Some of the largest criminal cases determination in the world today have relied on mobile evidence and data to reach their verdicts. Refine your skills and keep yourself up to date with these technologies and learn about the various operating systems and their security controls.

2. Cloud Forensics

As more data is moved to the cloud, investigators must understand how to access and analyse this data as efficiently as possible. Cloud forensics entails an understanding of the layout of various cloud-based services and the implications of accessing off-premises data in the eyes of the law. Improve your expertise in this area by further refining your understanding of cloud environments and their accompanying security measures and staying abreast with the evolving legal framework surrounding access to cloud data.

3. IoT Forensics – the Internet of Things (IoT)

A network of connected devices ranging from smart appliances to vehicles — presents another rich data source for investigators. However, extracting and interpreting data from these devices can be complex, which I’m sure you’re familiar with. Deepen your skill by building knowledge about IoT devices, their communication protocols, and how to retrieve and analyse their data.

4. Artificial Intelligence in Forensics

AI arrived — and it’s all anyone can talk about. AI and machine learning are fantastic weapons that can sift through millions of data points to uncover trends and evidence human analysts might miss. Take advantage of the trend by learning more about AI and machine learning basics and how to apply the tools in your investigations to make your work even better—and faster.

5. Encryption Barriers

As privacy protections are strengthened, so are the barriers to accessing encrypted data. Knowledge of decryption functions and legal boundaries around encryption are most important to investigators. Stay ahead of the trend by developing expertise around ever-evolving encryption models, emerging decryption techniques, the laws of encrypted data, and the compliance laws that govern them.

6. Remote Forensics

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the movement towards remote digital forensics — and it’s not going anywhere. This entails remote access to and examination of digital evidence when in-person access to a device or network is not feasible or safe. Enhance your skillset by becoming proficient in remote access tools and methods and knowing how to preserve the integrity of digital evidence remotely. These are just some of the large trends that will shape the future of digital forensics. You may know them already, but a reminder doesn’t hurt — especially if you are not yet certified, or your certification has lapsed. Having knowledge of these trends and developing your skills will keep you in the lead. Don’t forget, in the rapidly changing digital age today, keeping abreast through continuous learning and flexibility is the way to achieve success.

Conclusion

The field of digital forensics continuously adapts to meet new technologies and emerging cyber threat scenarios. Keeping abreast of these emerging trends, law enforcement and intelligence agents can enhance their investigative capabilities and aid the successful closure of cases.

At RISKHOUSE INTERNATIONAL, we adopt a comprehensive policy of managing digital investigations. Our operations strictly adhere to the laws of Kenya specifically the constitution of Kenya 2010 and the data protection Act 2019.

Moreover, our experts have experience using some of the best tools in the industry and licensed forensic software.

In case you any query about our service or if you would like to have an idea of your matters discussed in detail with us, please contact the Business Development Team on.

For further information about this and to catch up on our other news and alerts you can have a look at our blog on our website at https https://rb.gy/hvxqzj.

At RISKHOUSE INTERNATIONAL, we boast of a team of expert investigators who have continually assisted clients and their legal advisors, through a mix of analysis of publicly available information, human source inquiries and overt investigations. Our team incorporates specialists in intelligence analysis, financial investigations, cyber security and legal advisory allowing us to advise and assist clients by following the proper legal channels. Please reach us on email at info@riskhouse.co.ke and phone @ 0792603759.

To catch up on our other news and alerts, you may visit our blog on our website at https://riskhouse.co.ke/blog/.

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Introduction;

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, one of the exceptions to the semantic realm of ‘snitches get stitches’ is the word “whistleblower”. A whistleblower is defined as a person who reveals something clandestine or who informs against another. In an employment setup, a whistleblower can be defined as an employee who brings wrongdoing by an employer or by other employees to the attention of the employer, a government, or a law enforcement agency.

The Legal Framework Governing Whistleblowing in Kenya;

The foundation of whistleblowing in Kenya can be traced back to Section 9 of the Bribery Act [hereinafter “the Act”], which places a duty on public and private entities to put in place procedures appropriate to their size and the nature of their operation, for the prevention of bribery and corruption. Under the said Act, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission [EACC] is mandated to assist private entities, public entities, and any interested person to develop and put in place procedures for the purposes of the said legal provision.

In 2021, the office of the Attorney General, in consultation with the EACC, published the “Guidelines to assist Public and Private Entities in the preparation of Procedures for the Prevention of Bribery and Corruption” [hereinafter “the Guidelines”] with the purpose to assist the public and private entities to prepare procedures for the prevention of bribery and corruption.

The Guiding Principles When Developing Whistleblowing Procedures;

As per the Guidelines, when developing procedures for the prevention of bribery and corruption within an entity, the following principles ought to be taken into account:-

1. The prevention procedures should be in writing and in the Kenyan official languages;
2. During the development of the policies, the entity shall assess and map out bribery and corruption risks in its operations and develop a plan to mitigate such risks;
3. The prevention procedures ought to provide for an implementation structure or arrangement that takes into account the size, scale, and nature of operations of the entity and the identified risks;
4. The procedures ought to provide sufficient mechanisms to facilitate efficient and effective reporting of bribery and corruption within the entity and facilitate, among other things, confidentiality and protection of whistleblowers, informants, and witnesses;
5. The procedures shall designate a person or persons in authority to set up an enforcement structure; and
6. The procedures should provide for effective communication, training, awareness-creation, and dissemination to internal and external stakeholders on the bribery and corruption prevention procedures established by the entity.

Why You Need A ‘Whistle Blowing’ Policy and Procedure in Your Organization;

Every public and private entity is expected to have whistleblowing policies and procedures. While the Act and the Guidelines set out the basis for the development of the procedures to be used in the reporting of bribery and corruption, whistleblowing policies within an organization can cover a wider scope and provide an avenue for reporting other inappropriate acts such as; malpractice, fraud, failure to comply with laws and regulations, crimes and concealment of crimes, abuse and other inappropriate acts or omissions that would prejudice the interests of the entity.

With the rampant increase of fraud and illegal activity within the workspace, the presence of a watertight whistleblower system is likely to reduce the likelihood of illegal activity and create a significant reduction in fraud cases. There are several benefits that a whistleblowing system can bring to an entity, such as:-

1. Violators are held accountable – unlike a system where employees are unable to report any illegal activities within an organization for fear of being exposed, the presence of a whistleblower system encourages people to expose wrongdoing which is a major factor in combating fraud, corruption, and illegal activities.
2. Provides protection to whistleblowers – a policy that guarantees confidentiality and protection to whistleblowers ensures that employees who come forward on illegal practices within the Organization do not face retaliation or victimization from their colleagues or from their employers. This also ensures the whistleblower’s right to access justice is guaranteed, as any employer who violates the policy faces fines or a lawsuit.
3. Reduces reputational risks – Reports of illegal activities within an entity may create bad press for an organization. Creating an internal mechanism and an enforcement structure to handle such incidents safeguards the Organization’s reputation.
4. Promotes a better work culture – a whistleblower system safeguards a safe culture within a workplace and allows employees to voice their concerns without fear of repercussions.

So what next, after providing an avenue for the “whistle” to be blown?

In conclusion, a whistleblower system does more than provide an avenue for the “whistle” to be blown. It helps in promoting proper corporate culture checks and balances by ensuring that issues are dealt with before they escalate to unmanageable levels that can lead to financial and/or reputational loss. It helps an organization comply with the laid down laws and procedures and ensures specific procedures are set out to ensure a safe and ethical way of handling concerns within an organization.

How can we help?

Do you have a Whistleblowing policy in your Company? If not, look no further. At Riskhouse International, we have a policy review and development program led by seasoned lawyers and fraud experts. We are available to help review the processes and operations within your Organization, develop a tailor-made whistleblower policy that fits your organizational needs, and offer continuous period reviews on the policy.

To learn more about our policy review and development program and to catch up on our other news and alerts, you can visit our blog through our website at https://riskhouse.co.ke/blog/.

The post “Snitches don’t have to get stitches” – why you need a Whistleblower Policy in your Organization appeared first on Riskhouse International Limited.

Introduction;

Insurance fraud occurs when someone deliberately lies to obtain a benefit that they are not entitled to or fabricates a claim. Insurance fraud can also occur when an Insurer intentionally denies one a benefit that is due, under an insurance policy.

While fraud is rampant in all types of insurance, in this Article, we shall discuss the various forms of life insurance fraud, and how to prevent them.

Life Insurance companies that have been in the business long enough have encountered various forms of insurance fraud ranging from application fraud, account takeovers, false identities, fake deaths, inflated claims, unauthorized beneficiaries, attempted murder to profit from a life insurance policy, and so forth.

While life insurance fraud is not new, recent research suggests a rise in these incidences since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Aviva’s Annual Report published in 2021, for example, the UK saw a 13% increase in fictitious claims compared to 2020. Insurers encountered more than 11,000 incidences of insurance fraud totaling £122 million. This and several other reports suggest an upsurge of fraudulent insurance claims related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fraudsters were quick to pounce on the opportunity and exploit the gaps created by uncertainties during the pandemic. The restriction of movement imposed by Governments also created a challenge in obtaining and verifying documents, resulting in modified underwriting and claims practices which created an opening for fraudsters to exploit.

As the life insurance sector faces numerous challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing industrialization, it is apparent that fraud prevention remains a priority and should also be given due consideration. By adhering to the below practices, providers can leverage digitization to process claims and ensure timely settlement of claims. This limits the risk of insurance fraud: –

1. Implementing suitable claims control and processes– this should be a basic procedure for providers. For instance, in situations where there are only copies of death certificates, random post-claim audits should be conducted to ensure the legitimacy of death.
2. Regular training and continuous professional education for claim examiners– it is essential for claim examiners to stay current since fraudsters are constantly finding new avenues to exploit. While most claim examiners receive initial training, follow-up training is not conducted regularly. This in turn makes them unaware of the latest schemes, making them ill-equipped to observe emerging red flags. It is therefore important for every insurance company to ensure regular training on emerging trends in insurance fraud and how to avoid them.
3. Ensuring the rest of the organization is aware of fraud schemes and can detect possible red flags – this helps to ensure that there is an extra set of eyes and can save the company from a potential fraud scheme.
4. Attending industry conferences – industry conferences have proven to be effective since they create an avenue for sharing challenges, best practices, and lessons learned. This helps the insurance industry at large to keep abreast of emerging trends in insurance fraud.
5. Collaboration with other business units – when there is a proper communication channel, from application through claim payment, red flags, if any, are easily identified.
6. Application of data and predictive analysis – albeit a work in progress, in recent times, this prevention measure is becoming an important aspect of fraud detection as it can connect data points and identify combinations constituting potential fraud.

How can we help?

At Riskhouse International, we have a team consisting of specialist insurance fraud investigators who can obtain all the requisite evidence that allows insurers to question an insurance claim they suspect to be fraudulent. Our Investigators are capable of dealing with alleged frauds using forensic techniques, experience, and methodologies that produce successful outcomes for our clients. We have established a proven reputation in the industry for exposing suspected insurance claims.

To learn more about this service and to catch up on our other news and alerts you can visit our blog on our website at https://riskhouse.co.ke/blog/.

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