Fraudulent activities committed by dishonest employees using computers, mobile phones and the Internet – otherwise known as cybercrime – could be costing regional businesses around the country hundreds of thousands of pounds every year in lost revenue.
At present, the Federation of Small Businesses estimates that fraudulent Internet transactions, unscrupulous e-mails (sent as part of so-called ‘phishing’ attacks) and security problems caused by viruses and hackers cost an average small business something in the region of GB pound 800 per annum.
Some businesses can be hit with problems that are so severe the losses eventually run into several thousands of pounds every year, and may even lead to a cessation in trading or operations.
Money laundering and false accounting
Computers are also used to commit financial frauds like money laundering or false accounting, and allow unauthorised access to restricted web sites or classified information held on databases. The cybercrime problem is widespread and, at times, so sophisticated it can be very difficult to spot (in turn placing a severe drain on the resources of hard-pressed anti-corruption agencies).
Computers and mobile phones are essential tools for business success, but every time they’re used they leave a digital trail that a skilled investigator can unpick to compile evidence of fraudulent activity.
Helping security professionals tackle the growing problem of digital fraud, the new GB pound 75,000 lab at Quarryfield Road on Tyneside offers the very latest courses to equip companies with the overriding skills needed to track criminal activity and implement preventative measures.
The lab is the first of its type in the region to make use of advanced PC-based software that teaches in-house IT and security personnel the latest in high-tech digital investigation techniques.
Compiling evidence of criminal activity
Now, end user organisations can enrol staff on a digital forensics investigation course at the college to learn how to hunt for these trails and compile evidence of criminal activity even if the data has been deleted. This will enable them to improve their security systems, reduce the impact of fraudulent activity and improve productivity, leading to significant savings in both time and costs.
The Digital Forensics Lab was designed with support and guidance from the Northumbria Police – who will have the opportunity to use this specialist resource for their own training purposes – and the North East Fraud Forum, which works with organisations to raise awareness of the latest techniques for fighting fraud.
The lab employs the latest forensics equipment and systems to replicate an industry-standard fraud protection and law enforcement facility. Using this, the college will be able to provide a range of courses delivered by fully-trained lecturers covering all the important aspects of computer forensics like opening a case file, searching for evidence and preparing this for presentation in Court.
Cybercrime in the North East on the increase
Detective sergeant Alan Batey – the head of Northumbria Police’s Computer Crime Unit – told SMT Online that the number of investigations carried out by local police over the last ten years had increased four-fold (from 72 in 1998 to almost 300 come 2008).
Batey explained: “We’re seeing year-on-year growth in the number of people using computers, the Internet and mobile phones to co-ordinate and undertake criminal activities. The new Digital Forensics Lab will be a great resource to help companies uncover fraudulent activity, helping them to better protect their business, market share and, ultimately, their profits.”
Gateshead College’s assistant principal for adult and higher education, Mary Lindsay, added: “We’re delighted to launch this new facility. It’s our latest initiative aimed at helping business retrain and up-skill their existing workforces. Our digital forensics courses will provide people with the skills and confidence to tackle a costly and highly damaging problem that could be affecting hundreds of local businesses.”
Lindsay added: “The lab represents a significant development. It’s a welcome addition to the facilities and services offered by the college that ensure key employees are able to learn in a high quality and stimulating environment, and benefit from access to the very latest resources and equipment.”
Ofsted results speak volumes for integrity
Gateshead College was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted last January, with grade ones across all six areas of inspection. This result places Gateshead College among the top colleges in the country.
Certainly, the College is the top performing provider of apprenticeships and Train to Gain in the North East. It’s also the preferred training provider for Nissan, and delivers the Ford Masters Programme.
Gateshead College is one of the largest businesses in the Borough, with an annual turnover of GB pound 27.5 million. It currently employs 700 members of staff and educates over 13,000 students every year.
