Since its formation in 1996, Quest has provided corporate investigative and forensic accounting services to leading law firms, commercial organisations, regulators and financial institutions alike.
In recent times, of course, there has been a substantial rise in threats from hackers, the growth in cases of serious identity fraud and, of course, terror attacks. Quest’s new Technical Division – co-ordinated by four experts with unrivalled security and defence research experience including MOD operations – will work with the objective of tackling these challenges.
Combating asset security threats
The technical team’s research and development skill sets will support Quest’s core capabilities – identifying clients’ vulnerabilities, combating asset security threats and launching investigations into malpractice. Based at the Malvern Hills Science Park, the Technical Division’s key competency will be the ability to design and implement bespoke solutions that meet clients’ needs head on.
Effective Information and data security designed to sustain practicality and minimise loss remains at the forefront of Quest’s development programme.
The Technical Division’s work will be facilitated by the development of market-leading advanced surveillance, counter surveillance and information security systems. In addition, ongoing threat analyses will guarantee that the team’s capabilities and resources are appropriately tailored to meet emerging corporate risks.
Significant investment in technology
According to an official statement, the Technical Division is expected to publish a comprehensive security-related review in the third quarter of 2009.
Speaking about Quest’s Technical Division, Michael Dunne BEM – who’s leading the new venture – told SMT Online: “The creation of this Technical Division means that Quest is one of very few companies that has fully integrated, end-to-end, in-house capabilities. We’re confident that, alongside our extensive experience, the technical expertise we have coupled with the significant investments being made in bespoke technological solutions will ensure our clients are well protected from rapidly evolving commercial security threats.”
Quest’s Technical Division: the main capabilities
One of Quest Technical Divisions’ key competencies is the ability to design and develop requirement-led solutions (including bespoke tracking, location and monitoring systems) for a range of clients.
The company has extensive experience in geo-location using GSM, GPS or RFID-based technologies, while the new division itself also makes use of the full range of available information back link paths such as GSM (SMS, GPRS, 3G, CSD), satellite communications (Iridium, Thurya, Argos) and LAN or WAN network links.
The Technical Division has recently invested in a new suite of state-of-the-art technical surveillance detection equipment, and is in the process of developing new commercial systems to counter developing threats.
Technical threat analysis plays an important role, and constant watch through open source networks enables counter capabilities to be developed specifically tailored to meet emerging threats
This new part of the business also undertakes constant horizon scanning activities in order to maintain world-leading knowledge of the security intelligence arena, and produces a quarterly commercial watch paper to discuss its findings.
Scoping studies for the end user
Information obtained from the horizon scanning activity is also used where appropriate to generate quick win solutions to customer problems. These solutions are built using extensive systems engineering expertise.
Quest conducts scoping studies upon customer request. The end result provides the client with a comprehensive review on a specified topic or related security issue. Aspects covered by the report can include the current COTS/MOTS market, current technology readiness levels and unbiased advice on suitable third party companies.
Examples of modified off-the-shelf (MOTS)-based solutions recently undertaken by Quest are vehicle tracking systems using power-saving RF leash technology, the provision of demonstrative hacking tools (using a variety of open source software options), secure mobile voice and data communication systems for commercial purposes and security tools designed for portable devices such as laptops, theft protection and data protection.
