Deloitte has almost doubled its Forensic team in the North West in response to heightened demand for forensic technology expertise, including those related to investigations involving instant messaging apps.
The team, which specialises in helping clients react to crises, investigations or disputes, has appointed nine new specialists. Half of the Forensic team now focus on forensic technology, using the most advanced technological solutions to retrieve, search and analyse large and complex data sets, including those related to instant messaging applications.
Companies and their employees are increasingly conducting business via a range of platforms alongside the traditional corporate email account, including mobile communications apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Slack. WhatsApp Business, the corporate version of the Facebook-owned messaging app, was used by over five million users last year alone.
However, these mobile apps present numerous challenges for businesses when it comes to monitoring, accessing and controlling communications, partly due to the encryption of the underlying data. As communication between parties using these apps is often vital evidence, the encryption these applications use can create serious challenges for investigations.
In response, Deloitte’s Forensic team has developed a methodology for capturing communications data when standard extraction tools don’t work. Data is extracted, processed and loaded into an e-Discovery document review tool, enabling clients and their advisors to assimilate the information in an intuitive and easily digestible format.
Ian Hughes, Forensic Director in the North West, said: “We’ve made significant developments in the way that we respond to the challenges presented by evolving technologies and rapidly increasing data volumes.
“In the event of an economic crime or misconduct investigation, the process of extracting relevant data to uncover the facts is complex but our clients understandably need answers quickly to enable them to implement an appropriate response.
“Innovative solutions, such as our instant messaging application methodology, enable us to obtain these insights more quickly and add real value to our clients. With plans to expand our technology team further in the future, we are excited for what the future holds.”
