Thirty years ago, South Africa\u2019s professional landscape looked completely different to what it is today. The investigations industry has been revolutionised by the advent of auditing firms which conduct internal investigations, and innovative technology that both simplifies and complicates the sector.<\/p>\n
Today, the private investigations and risk management sectors are led by businesses that have developed the basic principles to investigations, while embracing global technology advancements and industry shifts.<\/p>\n
According to Kyle Condon, Managing Director of D&K Management Consultants (D&K), market shifts offer immense growth potential if investigators are willing to evolve.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not unique to our industry,” he said.<\/p>\n
“In every sector, Industry 4.0 and global transformation must be considered, planned for, and capitalised on to reach the organisation\u2019s full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
Security Service Consultants\u2019 (SSC) Managing Director, Howard Griffiths, added: \u201cThe key is to build a strong foundation of service, based on basic investigative principles \u2013 and then learn how to apply these effectively in today\u2019s world.\u201d<\/p>\n
When considering investigations in 2019, Griffiths confirms that his business has changed quite dramatically \u2013 most notably by the establishment of auditing firms and technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you go back 20, 30 or 40 years, you\u2019ll find that there were no forensic auditing firms. As companies became more aware of compliance requirements, auditing firms developed forensics departments which offered the perception of ethics and morals. This shift definitely affected the pipeline for regular investigators.<\/p>\n
“As we\u2019ve seen quite recently, however, auditing firms such as KPMG are being hauled over the coals for being less than honest. This has driven the reverse-shift, as big businesses turn back to their investigations firms with good reputations for integrity, and far more affordable pricing structures.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second key factor in the development of the industry is technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the digital revolution comes not only tools to use within day-to-day investigations, but access to immense information sources from the Internet, social platforms, and digital channels,\u201d added Condon.<\/p>\n
Griffiths agrees, confirming that modern techniques are certainly being applied in the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn any investigative firm you have your on the ground investigators, but there\u2019s another aspect now with the use of social media and the Internet,” he said.<\/p>\n
“There\u2019s a monumental amount of information that\u2019s now (legally) available online, if you know where to look. Whether conducting Open Source Intelligence Investigations (OSINT) or Social Media Intelligence Investigations, highly skilled specialists dig into the information that\u2019s readily available on the Internet; because people are na\u00efve about online security. Then, of course, there\u2019s the dark net too.\u201d<\/p>\n
The MDs stress the importance of traditional methods, which are still being used in the modern world.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite global shifts, the basic principles of investigations are the same,” said Griffiths.<\/p>\n
“While there is a lot more information that\u2019s readily available, investigators must know how to work through that information to find what\u2019s relevant. The principles are the same, but to succeed investigators must understand the modern world, and how to apply those principles accordingly.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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