In October 2012 Expol Limited, a local company of Corporate Risk Consultants & Forensic Investigators, expanded its business to include a specialist training division.  Providing a 2 day Internet Investigation Workshop for compliance professionals, staff with KYC responsibilities, due diligence and fellow investigators, proved to be a sell out.  The success of the course has resulted in a high demand for the provision of additional courses with various organisations making block bookings.

Rob Kinrade, Director, said ‘initially places on the course were snapped up by delegates from the Finance and Compliance Sectors.  Since then the course has attracted attendees from various Government Departments, eGaming Companies, Banks, Law Firms, Insurance Brokers as well entrepreneurs from the private sector!’

Mr Kinrade stated, ‘continued investment in the course and course materials has ensured our aim of producing and delivering a high quality training session has been maintained.  New laptops were purchased at the start of the year, venues have been changed and workshop content has been altered as appropriate to suit individual corporate needs.  More importantly a major investment has been made to secure the services of a colleague with an enviable CV as an Internet Investigation Practitioner and Trainer, Colin Tansley.

‘Colin is a retired senior police officer from the Cleveland Police.  He has many years’ experience in the specialist subject of handling and analysing Intelligence and Internet Investigation.  Travelling to and providing an intelligence service in places such as Kosovo, Cyprus, Croatia,  as well as the UK on numerous occasions and the Isle of Man, have added to his wealth of experience and knowledge in this area.  Choosing to offer training in this field was the obvious direction for him to branch out into and it makes him the perfect choice for delivering this training on behalf of Expol as he is the consummate professional’.

Mr Tansley had the following to say regarding concerns relating to the use of the Internet and the availability of laptops, tablets and mobile devices:

‘The Internet has become a huge part of our lives and this interaction will continue to increase as other technologies and applications go ‘online’.  Known as the ‘Internet of Things’ our daily routines are becoming easier as they become more automated and controlled - even our homes can be monitored and controlled via our smartphones!

‘Apart from our computers, devices and connections, we rarely pay anything for services which include downloading apps from online stores and using social media platforms.  Few of us ever give thought to why these items are, on the face of it, ’free’.’

Mr Tansley continued: ‘what I find on the Internet Investigation Courses I conduct, locally, nationally and internationally, is that prior to the session Delegates, when asked what they want from the course, tend to say (quite rightly) that they want to find better quality information about people and companies.  Rarely do they say they have concerns about their online privacy – or lack of it!

‘Let’s call this ‘Internet Safety’ and for many of us, particularly parents, this will invoke fear about how children interact with others online.  What most people do not realise is that each and every time you visit a website it has the ability to identify things about you as well as track your activity as you ‘browse’ the Web.

‘Rogue websites have been set up by Criminals with the intention of obtaining your personal information, stealing your identity or accessing your bank account details.  Criminals with increasing knowledge and intelligence are exploiting the lack of knowledge on the part of users making it easy for them to commit offences.

‘There are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.  Background activity such as ensuring you have up-to-date virus protection, configuring your browser properly, using certain applications, taking cognisance of where you download from and examining the web address should be done routinely.

‘In the conventional world this would be known as taking preventative measures.  For instance, we lock our front doors at night, we avoid going to unsafe places and we hide our valuables from view in our cars.  Can you honestly say that you adopt anything remotely approaching this when using your computers, devices and online resources?’

Mr Kinrade said, ‘the preventative measures mentioned and the subsequent investigations are all covered in this course and it is ideal for anybody involved in compliance and due diligence.  In recognising and understanding how difficult it can be for employers to release key staff for 2 days we have now introduced the ‘Pop Up’ training course.  The practice is simple – we come to you, we supply the laptops, we deliver the course tailored to your requirements or that of the organisation and then we leave at the end of the session’.  The only resources the client needs to provide is a suitable room and an internet connection – we do the rest’.

Mr Kinrade continued, ‘Pop Ups’ are perfect for delivery over a working lunch or on a Friday afternoon – a great way to finish the week!  The hour long modules are based on content from the full course but, of course, we can deliver whatever the client wants’.  Suggested topics include:
 
• Basic searching and how to use search engines to optimise your results
• Searching for specific individuals and companies – aimed at the management of risk, compliance and due diligence enquiries – this module demonstrates enhanced search techniques
• Advance search – going beyond the basics of search, increasing the opportunity for success and getting focused, specific information in a shorter timescale
• Internet safety issues – understanding how best to protect yourself and the organisation whilst online
• ‘Power hour’ – a round the table ‘ask the Expert’ type discussion where you present your investigative problems or ask questions which we will try and resolve there and then

Mr Tansley said, ‘we have found the ‘power hour’ session particularly appealing to many Clients as they tend to enjoy the opportunity to raise current issues and problems in a confidential and discreet arena where we try and direct them to the most effective solution.  The feeling is that this gives the Client true value for money as they are working on real problems whilst learning new techniques.’ 

Mr Kinrade concluded, ‘we are currently dealing with enquiries from new Clients showing an interest in our ‘Pop Up’ sessions.  We are very enthusiastic about this new venture for Expol, however, as much as we are a commercial enterprise we pride ourselves on continually seeking to engender a feeling of participation within the Community.  He went on to say, ‘prior to Christmas last year we met with the Headteacher of Ballakermeen High School and arranged and delivered presentations on Internet safety to the parents and students from various school years, which were very well received.  Expol are keen for all Heads of Secondary Schools to be aware of our offer to deliver presentations on risk awareness to students or parents evenings free of charge.  Safe use of the Internet can only be improved through education of all ages and if we can make a contribution to young people on the Island, then we will’.

Full details of Expol’s ‘Pop Up’ courses and secondary school presentations can be obtained by contacting Rob Kinrade on 611190 or by emailing him at enquiries@expol.co.uk.  For further information relating to Expol please visit the website at www.expol.co.uk