External Protection: Due Diligence Investigations

Due Diligence Investigations Can Give You External Protection

Due Diligence investigations involve thoroughly identifying, evaluating and verifying all available information on a person, company or entity. By conducting a comprehensive due diligence investigation through a reliable partner, you can make informed and confident business decisions – especially important when you’re hiring or considering prospective business partners or new commercial relationships – and protect your organization and team from external risks.

With corruption rife on an international scale, due diligence investigations with a global reach are more important than ever. To protect your business from liabilities and regulatory non-compliance and to ensure successful, legitimate business transactions, you must make sure your organization has timely and accurate business intelligence as a business leader.

Due diligence is called for whenever an individual or company enters into a high-stakes transaction. For example, if your company is considering acquiring a piece of real estate, purchasing another business, or hiring a job candidate to fill a top position, a due diligence investigation can uncover information that might not be readily available. Companies may also benefit from investigating potential clients, overseas business partners, and intellectual property.

In theory, anyone can perform a due diligence investigation. However, the process is time-consuming and requires access to a wide range of data sources. Most companies hire professional investigators who have the time and the expertise to do in-depth due diligence research properly and legally and to provide an informed analysis of potential risks. CRI Group™ uses a proven, multi-faceted research approach to third-party investigations involving a global array of databases, court and public record searches, local contacts, industry and media resources, and in-depth web-based research. Our resources include:

• International business verification
• Individual business interest search
• Personal profile on individual subjects
• Company profile on corporate entities
• Historical ownership analysis
• Identification of subsidiaries and connected parties
• Global and national criminality and regulatory records check
• World-check politically exposed person database
• international media research
• Country-specific databased that include litigation checks, law enforcement agencies and capital market, regulators
• Company background analysis
• Industry reputational assessment
• FCPA, UK Anti-Bribery and corruption risks databases
• Global terrorism check
• Global Financial authorities check
• Money laundering risk databases
• Financial reports

CRI Group™ investigations delve deep into every aspect of the third-party provider, including operational performance, financial condition, reputation, references, present and past litigation, key principals, internal controls, current relationships, customer services, quality control and insurance coverage. A company’s reputation is one of its greatest assets and should be protected at all costs. Unfortunately, one dishonest associate or poor choice of investment can do a lot of damage to a company’s image as well as to its bottom line. A proper due diligence investigation can protect you and your business from bad investments, unpleasant surprises, and even legal troubles. Getting a more complete picture of a situation through due diligence can help you make better, more profitable decisions. If you’re ready to perform a due diligence investigation but don’t know where to start, contact CRI Group™ today. 

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Who is CRI Group™?

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

We’d like to share with you 10 great reasons to partner with CRI Group™ today:

1. CRI Group™’s personal touch: Our high level of service sets us apart from our competitors: As your partner, our team become members of your team – working for you with our “boots on the ground” approach to gathering information. Our experts excel at deterring, detecting and investigating fraud and other crimes against businesses.
2. Our vast business intelligence network: We access information from 180 countries, gathering local knowledge in places our competitors cannot. Our presence in Pakistan, Oman, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, as well as other countries in Africa and the whole of Southeast Asia, means that many of our competitors contact us for information from those countries.
3. Competitive pricing: CRI Group™ does not maintain the high overhead of larger firms, many of which lack our specialisation and level of individual client attention. We work within your budget, as CRI™ Group’s prices are consistently lower than our competitors’ rates.
4. “3PRM” – Our Third-Party Risk Management Strategy™: At CRI Group™, we have developed our own comprehensive service for helping clients manage third-party risks. Our team of experts provide the highest level of protection for companies worldwide.
5. CRI Group™’s wide knowledge base: Our experts come from a variety of professions and possess industry knowledge and experience serving clients spanning the oil and energy, banking, investments, international finance, and public and privately held multinational business sectors. CRI Group™ professionals work closely with your business to analyse systems and develop effective solutions that reduce the risk of your company falling prey to employees, suppliers or outside crime.
6. Our background checks catch everything: CRI Group™’s background screening and pre-employment screening services expose vulnerabilities and threats within your organisation and can significantly reduce the potential of business and financial crime, fraud and malpractice from occurring within your workplace.
7. We’re recognised and acclaimed: As well as winning awards for “Anti-Fraud Advisor of the Year,” “Leading Adviser in UAE”, and “Business Due-Diligence Firm of the Year,” CRI Group™ is also working towards the “Investors in People” accreditation.
8. We are discreet: Let’s face it; there are some problems you just don’t want announced to the world. Fraud, internal investigations, due diligence or liability issues – CRI Group™’s experts are trained to maintain the highest levels of client confidentiality. We keep your private business private.
9. Our updates keep you in the know: As industry experts, we offer a publication called Fraud 360, which is produced on a quarterly basis, with monthly email updates offering awareness, knowledge, latest trends and helpful advice for companies on fraud. If you would like to be on our mailing list, please subscribe here.
10. CRI Group™ is truly international. We maintain offices in UAE, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.crigroup.com.

Check out our “Why Partner With CRI Group™” InfoPack

In 2016, CRI Group™ launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301:2021 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC™ operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI Group™’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organizations. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certifications and trainings.

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Stop Gender Based Violence: Incorporate Risk Assessment Into Your Due Diligence Process

Gender Based Violence: Incorporate Risk Assessment Into Your Due Diligence Process

Gender based violence is constantly on the rise – research by the UN Women, “The economic costs of violence against women” suggests that the cost of violence against women is 2% of global GDP, equivalent to US$1.5 trillion – incorporating gender-based violence into risk and mitigation analyses is a must. The company and country-level economic costs of violence include losses in productivity and increases in health and legal costs according to UN Women, “Ending violence against women”

Gender-based violence is known to increase in emergency situations, and the global COVID-19 pandemic has increased the urgency across the globe. During this global pandemic with long-lasting effects, the rising rates of violence are impacting every country and sector. Incorporating an analysis of gender-based violence can help to mitigate the risks of a future that looks very different than it did even three months ago.

UNICEF has launched the 2022 Covid-19 Diligence Tool Criterion. This tool equips investors to understand the risk their investments are exposed to because of gender-based violence and to incorporate that risk assessment into the due diligence process.

Due diligence is a standard process that all investors undertake when deciding whether and how to invest in a company. This tool is designed to align with standard diligence processes for direct private investments. It also offers recommendations and tools that investors can use to mitigate the risks of violence. The risk assessment is also relevant to public investors at the sector and market levels.

Covid-19 Diligence Tool Criterion highlights the areas of focus in due diligence to determine a company’s exposure to risks created by gender-based violence in the company. This tool provides you with company-level due diligence questions that can help you mitigate any risk:

• Is the company leadership, including the board, aware of potential regulatory changes?
• Have any policies been reviewed or changed in response to the pandemic?
• How has the company responded during the crisis? Have disaster mitigations been measured, effective, and gender-balanced?

This tool is one component of a broader global effort to ensure the right to live free of violence and toward greater gender equality. Download the report now.

The mere process of asking questions about gender-based violence creates an impact and could result in improved practices and business.

Staying one step ahead of any critical risk to your organisation is part of being an effective business leader. Contact us today to get started on implementing a robust program that will serve you well for years to come. Get your FREE QUOTE now!

Let’s Talk!

Don’t leave hiring to chance. Take a proactive stance with the highest level of background screening as a part of your essential corporate strategy. Contact us today to learn more about our full range of services to help your organisation stay protected.

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Who is CRI Group™?

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI Group™ launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management- Guidelines; ISO 37000:2021 Governance of Organisations; ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management System; ISO 37301:2021 (formerly ISO 19600) Compliance Management system (CMS); Anti-Money Laundering (AML); and ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems ABMS. ABAC™ offers a complete suite of solutions designed to help organisations mitigate the internal and external risks associated with operating in multi-jurisdiction and multi-cultural environments while assisting in developing frameworks for strategic compliance programs. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.

Meet the CEO

Zafar I. Anjum is Group Chief Executive Officer of CRI Group™, a global supplier of investigative, forensic accounting, business due to diligence and employee background screening services for some of the world’s leading business organizations. Headquartered in London (with a significant presence throughout the region) and licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre-DIFC, the Qatar Financial Center – QFC, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market-ADGM, CRI Group™ safeguard businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. CRI® Group maintains offices in UAE, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, China, the USA, and the United Kingdom.

Contact CRI Group™ to learn more about its 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy program and discover an effective and proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with corruption, bribery, financial crimes and other dangerous risks posed by third-party partnerships.

Zafar Anjum, MSc, MS, CFE, CII, MICA, Int. Dip. (Fin. Crime) | CRI Group™ Chief Executive Officer

37th Floor, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AA United Kingdom

t: +44 207 8681415 | m: +44 7588 454959 | e: zanjum@crigroup.com

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Ensuring Compliance and Quality Hires Drives the Need for Background Checks

A recent CRI Group™ survey of business leaders finds that enhanced regulatory compliance, ensuring quality hires and maintaining workplace safety and security were considered the top benefits of conducting background checks. Key considerations for engaging a background screening service include cost, turnaround time and compliance with local and international regulations.

Statistics show that organisations that don’t perform thorough, comprehensive pre-employment background checks play a risky game with their business security. According to popular employment site careerbuilder.com, “Fifty-eight per cent of hiring managers said they’d caught a lie on a resume; one-third (33 per cent) of these employers have seen an increase in resume embellishments post-recession.” This statistic is equally concerning: an estimated 34 per cent of all job applications contain outright lies about experience, education, and ability to perform essential functions.

Combine those stats with the knowledge that company insiders often commit fraud and other criminal acts. You’ve got a recipe for disaster among organisations that skip background checks or only do the bare minimum for pre-employment screening. Against this backdrop, CRI Group™ sought to gauge some of the most important business leaders’ considerations regarding hiring and background checks. Among the key findings:

• More than 75%of organisations conduct some sort of background checks: That’s good news. But it also means that nearly a quarter of companies don’t do any pre-employment screening, which should concern their business leaders and employees. Having screened employees means having a safer, more secure work environment.
• Around 70% of respondents have found less than 15 fraudulent CVs in their careers: A few candidates marked 15-30 or even 30-45 fake CVs found during their careers. This happens about half their working time – the frequency level of spotting red flags is 46 (when ‘100 =always’, and ‘0=never’).
• Stretching employment dates is the most commonly seen form of resume fraud: Survey respondents also cited enhancing job titles and responsibilities, faking credentials, fabricating reasons for leaving the previous job, and unexplained gaps and periods of “self-employment” as the other top methods of deception that they’ve seen during the hiring process.
• Financial services, insurance, investments, and banking positions are high risk: Nearly half of survey respondents said they considered such positions the most critical need of background checks, followed closely by government relations and administration, healthcare and medical devices, telecommunications, information technology and services. Experts also note that some positions are more sensitive than others, even in organisations outside of those industries. For example, a CFO at a semiconductor company may be well-placed to commit fraud.
• Previous employment verification and criminal history are top needs for employers: Survey respondents were asked to choose the three types of checks they would most like to implement, barring budget concerns. Those two led the list, followed by academic verification, name/DOB/identity checks, address verification and pre-employment credit checks. The good news is that CRI® Group’s background checks and pre-employment and post-employment screening services offer all of those and more – including civil litigation checks and bankruptcy searches.
• Background checks have many benefits: Most survey respondents noted enhanced regulatory compliance, quality hires, and workplace safety and security as key benefits. But they also said that background checks could improve the company’s culture and ethics, and personnel competency while reducing financial loss, employee turnover and workplace accidents.

CRI Group™’s employment background screening services EmploySmart™ expose vulnerabilities and threats within your organisation and significantly reduce the business’s potential and financial crime, fraud, and malpractice from occurring within your workplace.

CRI Group™ provides full in-depth background screening services of employees and candidates at all levels, from senior executives to shop-floor employees.

• Address Verification (Physical Verification)
• Identity Verification
• Previous Employment Verification
• Education and Credential Verification
• Local Language Media Check
• Credit Verification & Financial History (where publicly available)
• Compliance and Regulatory Check
• Civil Litigation Record Check
• Bankruptcy Record Check
• International Criminal Record Check
• Integrity Due Diligence … 
• and more

The survey results are heartening because they show that business leaders today are thinking about background checks as an important part of their business process. In most cases, they are implementing some sort of screening. However, it is always important to evaluate those processes, ensure the organisation is as comprehensive in those checks as possible, and monitor the results.

Growing your business and hiring new employees should be something to celebrate when done properly, without risk and uncertainty. There is no reason for taking unnecessary risks with your business, assets, investments, and reputation. Conducting a thorough pre-employment background check is critical with every new hire. A third party best conducts such a process with experts in this field and access to the most up-to-date resources.

CRI Group™ Employee Background Checks

Employee background checks, also known as EmploySmart™, is a robust new pre-employment background screening service certified for BS7858 to avoid negligent hiring liabilities. We are a leading worldwide provider, specialising in local and international employee background checks, including pre-employment and post-employment background checks. Ensure a safe work environment for all – EmploySmart™ can be tailored into specific screening packages to meet the requirements of each specific position within your company.

VIEW EMPLOYSMART™ BROCHURE

We are always ready to assist you in effectively managing your business and organisation efficiently and risk-free manner that best suits your needs. CRI® Group’s investigators and Certified Fraud Examiners understand fraud patterns. They are trained to recognise the elements of fraud characteristics and where they might come into play at any organisation. Through this knowledge, we can help you uncover the trail of fraud and help bring about a quick and successful resolution.

Having global coverage, CRI® works directly with the key personnel to lead and conduct fraud investigations, including, if needed, your internal board of directors, audit committee, ethics and compliance officers, general and in-house counsel, corporate security, human resources, and C-level executives. Explore our broad range of risk management solutions for your business.

ABOUT CORPORATE RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATIONS (CRI GROUP™)

Corporate Research and Investigations Limited (CRI Group™) has been safeguarding businesses from fraud, bribery and corruption since 1990. Globally, we are a leading Compliance and Risk Management company licensed and incorporated entity of the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) and Qatar Financial Center (QFC). CRI® protects businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. Based in London, United Kingdom, CRI® is a global company with experts and resources located in key regional marketplaces across the Asia Pacific, South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, North and South America. Our global team can support your organisation anywhere in the world.

In 2016, the company launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that helps organisations mitigate internal and external risks by providing a complete suite of Anti-Bribery, Compliance and Risk Management programs.

OUR MISSION AND VISION

• CRI™ mission is to safeguard the corporate world by detecting and exposing those elements that can cause irreparable harm to a business
• Stand up against the outside forces that, through corruption, collusion, coercion and fraud, can cause financial, organisational, reputational and legal harm to our global clients
• Stand out as the preeminent provider of specialised investigative services that enable our clients to exhibit the highest standards of business integrity, ethics and behaviour

WHY PARTNER WITH CRI GROUP™ 

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Managing HR through COVID-19 in 4 Simple Steps

Managing HR through COVID-19

Managing HR through COVID-19, here are the four simple steps. COVID-19 continues to affect communities on every continent. This global crisis called for fresh due diligence and risk management review of the company’s third-party partnerships; it has disrupted business and entire industries as we know it; a fraud spike in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has consequently led to an increase in identity theft cases; for many HR professionals, employee screening during COVID-19 has become complicated, with its many new ways COVID-19 impacted background checks enhancing why critical background Screening has become. This pandemic has made managing HR more difficult than ever.

While we must take vigorous action to control the spread of the coronavirus and save lives, we must also act to protect our livelihoods. The steps you need to take now relate to four categories: Review, Communicate, Update and Travel. These checklists provide chief human resources officers (CHROs) and other HR professionals with practical ideas for keeping employees safe while maintaining productivity and charting recovery paths. And then, the following will form a good starting point.

The four simple steps in managing HR through COVID-19

1. REVIEW

• Review business continuity plans and how these would be maintained if employees suffer from coronavirus absences.
• Review existing sickness policies and procedures, are they disseminated to staff? Do they need amending? 
• Review contracts of employment. It may be relevant to establish whether individuals can be asked to undertake different work or at other locations or at various times from the norm. 
• Review your emergency procedures, e.g., if there is an infection and the workplace is closed temporarily. If appropriate, carry out a test run of emergency communication to see how robust the process is. 
• Ensure contact details for all staff are up to date. 
• Undertake risk analysis of high-risk groups of employees and what steps can be taken to try and reduce risks for those groups. These groups may include: 1) those who frequently travel to countries where there is currently or may well be a risk of infection. 2) those with health issues, such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, or those who are pregnant, are more likely to suffer adversely if they become infected with the virus. 
• Review procedures in the office for preventing the spread of the virus, e.g., increased cleaning, availability of hand sanitisers and tissues etc. 
• Review planning for the possibility of large-scale absenteeism. For example: 
• Identify the essential positions within the business, what needs to carry on during an emergency, and what is the minimum number of employees required?
• Identifying employees with transferable skills so that these essential positions can always be temporarily filled. 
• Considering flexible work patterns, such as employees working from home.
• Identify employees who have the necessary IT infrastructure to work from home (e.g., remote access to the office computer systems). 

2. COMMUNICATE

• Identify an appropriate person as spokesperson/ communicator of updates on policies etc., with appropriate credibility.
• What, if anything, is said about absence from work for reasons other than ill-health, e.g., where an office is closed?
• Assuming the employer has a health and safety committee, have there been any discussions with that committee about COVID-19 and its potential impact? If there is no such committee, the employer may want to consider setting one up. 
• Communicate as a matter of urgency with the high-risk groups identified in any risk review to ensure they are aware of their high-risk status and the measures taken to assist. 
• Ensure managers are aware of the relevant workplace policies. 
• Consider issuing guidance to employees on recognising when a person is infected with the coronavirus. What are the symptoms, and what should one do if one is taken ill at home or work? It is also important to emphasise that individuals may not recognise that they have the virus and may not be exhibiting symptoms. Employees should be informed of the reporting procedure within their employer if they have a potential infection and any official reporting process. 
• Provide advice to encourage individuals to take responsibility for their health and safety and slow the virus’s spread. For example, advice on handwashing and sanitiser gels, coupled with a willingness to self-identify where individuals may have encountered individuals with the virus, have become infected themselves or have returned from private travel abroad to an area that turns out to be affected by the virus.
• Make clear that where staff are ill, they must not come to work regardless, i.e. “Struggle through”.

3. TRAVEL

• Log employee travel before it is booked and check against the latest travel protocols. 
• Ensure staff know that this applies to personal travel and business travel. 
• Encourage staff to tell you if close family members with whom they share a house are travelling to infected areas. 
• Replace face-to-face meetings (especially those involving travel) with video conferences, telephone conferences, etc. 
• Consult/communicate about whether to encourage varied work patterns to avoid travelling on public transport at rush hour. 

4. UPDATE 

• Initiate a system to keep up-to-date, especially given the spread of infection. 
• Consider establishing a committee on the employer’s side to coordinate responses and engage with any staff consultative forum, with particular responsibility for staying up-to-date with public health updates. 
• How will employers communicate regular updates on the coronavirus and its spread to employees? As news develops, it is vital for an employer to be issuing fact-based updates to avoid the possibility of fear being used by worried employees to make decisions about whether or not to come to work, whether to travel abroad, etc. 
• Who will have the authority to determine changes to policy and issue any new communications to staff?

Employsmart™: Background Checks During COVID-19 and More

As a background screening provider, CRI Group™ can support you by proactively monitoring the data sources and working with them to understand when and how to carry out verification requests. By working with a background screening partner, we can tailor your screening needs to the challenging times we’re facing. EmploySmart™ is CRI Group’s robust pre-employment background screening service that helps companies of any size and industry avoid negligent hiring liabilities. We know you have lots of questions. We compiled a FAQ ebook, read now or download your FREE ebook.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s imperative to ensure a safe work environment for all of your employees. EmploySmart™ can be tailored to meet the requirements of each specific position within your company. As a leading worldwide provider of specialised local and international employment background screening, CRI Group™’s services are second-to-none in providing risk mitigation and peace of mind in the hiring process.

Learn more about how EmploySmart™ can help your company stay protected during these strange and uncertain times. Contact CRI Group™ today.

Want to Know the Most Crucial Factors in the Hiring Process? 

Download our “Top 10 things every organisation should know about background checks” infographic. Get answers to frequently asked questions about background checks/screening cost, guidelines, check references etc. This eBook of compiled list of background screening related questions taken is the perfect primer for any HR professional, business leader and company looking to avoid employee background screening risks. It provides the tools and knowledge needed to make the right decisions. 

READ MORE

Who is CRI Group™?

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider.

We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI Group™ launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management- Guidelines, ISO 37000:2021 Governance of Organisations, ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management System, ISO 37301:2021 (formerly ISO 19600) Compliance Management system, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems.

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Employee Screening During COVID-19: Doesn’t Have to be Complicated

Employee Screening During COVID-19 Made Simple

Employee Screening During COVID-19. Unsurprisingly, the virus has had a massive impact on businesses, and the recruitment industry is certainly not immune to that. Companies adapted quickly to survive, and the legacy of COVID-19 may forever change the nature of recruitment and the workplace landscape. CRI Group’s survey revealed that 77 per cent of HR professionals accept that there is a risk that employees can initiate fraudulent activity because of the work-from-home arrangement. The rise in recruitment fraud is creating several challenges – last year, it cost £23 Billion just in the UK. The COVID-19 is set to cost even more. And what is particularly worrying for any HR professional is that fraud in recruitment regularly sees genuine businesses used to add legitimacy to illegal behaviour. 

Background checks and necessary screenings are vital to avoid horror stories and taboo tales that occur within HR, your business or even your brand – simply investing insufficient screening can save you time, money and heartbreak. COVID-19 is adding even more complexity and new challenges to your job:

1. Money mule scammers specialise in hacking employer accounts at job recruitment Websites like Monster.com and other popular employment search services. Armed with the employer accounts, the crooks are free to search through millions of resumes and reach out to people who are in fragile situations due to COVID-19.
2. According to jobs site Glassdoor, the virus has sparked new demand for professions related to infectious diseases, which has recorded a more than doubling of job postings with keywords related to coronavirus this month, particularly within the government, healthcare, and biotech and pharmaceuticals.

The recruiters that weather the COVID-19 storm will be those that adapt as the situation unfolds. Outsourcing your background screening is smart and effective. CRI™ Employee Background Checks can reduce the risk of hiring someone who could cause irrevocable damage. Firms spend years, thousands, even millions to brand their products and services and one bad hire can cause loss of capital and reputation to the extent that may bring a business to fail. A robust pre-employment check can help you and your company:

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BS 7858:2019 Standard: A new way to mitigate employee risk during COVID-19

BS 7858:2019 Standard is the revised standard for screening individuals working in secure environments. The far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has affected virtually every business and economic sector worldwide. Depending on the global region, the far-reaching implications have hampered (on various levels) the ability to conduct proper and thorough background screening investigations.

In the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, the countrywide lockdowns forced leaders to close sites and send their workforce home. Many must learn how to manage people working from home (WFH) or remotely for the first time. The previous concerns about productivity, privacy and protecting sensitive information only grew more with the practice of WFH.

They highlighted the vital importance of pre-employment background screening and background investigations. BS 7858:2019 Standard for screening individuals working in secure environments offers a complete solution.

Unfortunately, conducting such investigations in a reliable and timely manner has brought its struggles. The closure of public information sources has dramatically impacted accessing public records to verify previous employment, education and criminal charges.

Drug screening tests have been delayed or postponed until such companies are permitted to reopen their doors for business. On the applicant side, it’s been widely reported that individuals are concerned (and rightly so) about participating in face-to-face interviews. Applicants are concerned with leaving their homes to do a drug test and returning to a work environment that may or may not appear healthy, protected and safe.

Want to know the most crucial factors in the hiring process? 

Download our “Top 10 things every organisation should know about background checks” infographic. Get answers to frequently asked questions about background checks or screening cost, guidelines, check references etc. This eBook of compiled list of background screening related questions taken is the perfect primer for any HR professional, business leader and company looking to avoid employee background screening risks. It provides the tools and knowledge needed to make the right decisions. 

READ MORE

Learn more about how EmploySmart™ can help your company stay protected during these strange and uncertain times. Contact CRI Group™ today.

Who is CRI Group™?

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider.

We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI Group™ launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body that provides education and certification services for individuals and organisations on a wide range of disciplines and ISO standards, including ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management- Guidelines, ISO 37000:2021 Governance of Organisations, ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management System, ISO 37301:2021 (formerly ISO 19600) Compliance Management system, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems.

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Do You Know What are the Measures to Implement to Prevent Fraud?

Measures to Fight Fraud: The Implementation

Measures to fight fraud. What are measures every organization must implement to prevent fraud? Reporting fraud is crucial for any organization to do as it aids in not only safeguarding your organization from the outside but also in protecting the economy. When the event of fraud happens on a large scale, it can set back a nation’s economy substantially. Consumers which consist of the public as well as any trade suppliers will not purchase goods or services if there is any possibility of them developing into victims – an issue that has plagued third-world countries in recent years but is not exclusive to just them.

Reporting fraud protects your organizations internal and external team, and organizational leaders must come to realize that they have a responsibility to look out for their personnel whilst also promoting a workplace that encourages the employees to look out for one another. It is therefore vital that all suspicious activity must be brought to light. When offenders are allowed to operate without restraint, the rate of fraudulent conduct tends to spread with many victims clueless to the notion that somebody is taking from them.

The question of mandating the reporting of fraud has always been of prevalence and the ACFE released a report in which it was found that “the main reasons given in support of mandatory fraud reporting included: the prevalence and damaging nature of fraud; the opportunity to gain a better overall understanding of fraud; the need to escalate tackling fraud as an item on the government’s agenda; the value in creating more and better intelligence for policing; and encouraging organisations to take more responsibility for managing fraud.”

Regardless of where you stand on the mandating of reporting fraud, it is important to know what you can do as an organisation to safeguard yourself from the ramifications. We leave you with food for thought on what preventive measures you should implement to avert fraud.

The Fraud Triangle Theory

Renowned criminologist Donald R Cressey developed a theory that implicated three aspects that trigger fraud, these include:

• Opportunity
• Rationalization
• Pressure

Trusted persons become trust violators when they conceive of themselves as having a financial problem that is non-shareable, are aware this problem can be secretly resolved by violation of the position of financial trust, and are able to apply to their own conduct in that situation verbalizations which enable them to adjust their conceptions of themselves as trusted persons with their conceptions of themselves as users of the entrusted funds or property (Donald R. Cressey, Other People’s Money (Montclair: Patterson Smith, 1973) p. 30

When offenders are allowed to commit fraud, they will do so promptly. An absence of core regulations or reporting structure/oversight increases the chances of fraud as the offenders are aware that they are unlikely to face any repercussions.

The offender then goes on to rationalize the repeated dishonesty, which, feasibly over a few years, rises slowly and becomes a prerogative as they feel entitled to the easily obtained profits they received from the deceptive act.

They may feel that the gains are easier to obtain rather than confronting the vast pressure, be it corporate reasons such as meeting organization targets or personal pressures, such as addiction or financial crises which is what prompts them to carry out their fraudulent conducts over a prolonged time. Consequently, it is incredibly important to implement preventative measures to safeguard your organization from fraud.

What preventative measures should I implement to fight fraud?

At CRI Group™, we offer a wide array of services catered to several industries to help implement anti-fraud procedures. Fraud can be found in many aspects of an organizational core and peripheral structure, so it is, therefore, important to tailor it to each element.

To detect employee fraud, for example, it is advised that you pursue the proficiency of a skilled employee fraud accountant as early as possible. Employee fraud accountant aids in inspecting an employee’s professional conduct. This can be done by obtaining and by reviewing your organization’s bank statements and financial documents and advising you whether an employee is committing fraud and to what extent; the report will also give you the evidence you need to take the necessary action against your employee and act as a preventive to others. However, this is vastly different from conducting a pre-employment screening check.

What are the makes of an ideal candidate? The experience, qualifications, and academic accreditation, right? But how do you verify everything that they have presented to you? Employee background checks and necessary screenings are crucial to avoid a bad hire that can impact HR, your business, or even your brand –the financing of sufficient screening can save you time, money, and despair.

Know Your Workforce

Employee Background Checks investigate a potential candidate’s character in and out of their professional lives. These checks as inclusive of a candidate’s qualifications (documents provided), work history (with a reference check), right to work in the country and even a quick social media presence scan. Conducting employee background checks can diminish the probability of hiring a candidate who could cause irreversible damage to your organization. Organizations can spend years and a substantial amount of money to brand their products and services; one bad hire is all it takes to cause a loss of capital and reputation to the extent that may cause an organization to break.

EmploySmart™ is CRI Group’s exclusive employee background checks service providing a comprehensive check of all the necessary data required for pre-employment. EmploySmart™ is a robust pre-employment background screening service certified for BS7858 and is used in a bid to avert inattentive hiring charges. CRI™ helps organizations create a safe work environment for all and our EmploySmart™ system can be customized into special screening packages to meet the requirements of each specific position within your organization. Why not check out our brochure?

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Why not contact one of our specialists for a free 30-minute consultation? Our experts range from different fields and industries hence allowing us to provide your organisation with a truly bespoke service. Prevent fraud in your workplace today – it all starts with you.

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Implement a Third-Party Risk Management Process

Apart from the internal aspects of fraud, it is equally as important to remember that fraud can happen with any external connections your organization may have including suppliers, consumers, investors and so on. It is vital to ensure that you are conducting third-party risk management to avoid such an instance. CRI Group’s private but professionally developed 3PRM™ facilities aid organizations in proactively abating risks from third-party associations, safeguarding your organization from legal responsibility, brand damage, and any other impairment to the organization. Regardless of where your organization is in terms of the stages of development, our 3PRM™ solution is the perfect solution for eradicating exterior risks associated with your progress. The 3PRM™ restructures the third-party risk management process through scalability and efficiencies – from third-party risk identification to assessment. 

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Fraud can be an incredibly formidable task and with more legislation looking to be implemented regarding reporting fraud, you must keep yourself aware of it. Overall, the process of preventing fraud can be an extensive one, but one whose benefits outweigh the onerous course. Protect your organization from liability, business interruption and brand damage by partnering with the CRI Group. Our 3PRM solution address various specific areas, including:

• Third-Party Integrity Due Diligence & Screening: ensures global compliance, provides adequate monitoring & protection against potential litigation;
• 3PRM Enhanced Background Checks: uncovers derogatory information within the public & private record resources through risk-based background checks, including investigative research into suppliers & individuals, ultimate-beneficial owners;
• ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System: CRI Group’s independent and accredited Certification Body can examine your Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption procedures & issue an accredited Certification; and
• ISO 37301 Compliance Management System: CRI Group’s independent certification body helps companies worldwide to increase & measure their efforts against regulatory compliance risks.

If you still have any questions surrounding fraud prevention, why not contact CRI™? Our experts have years of experience and have been trained to provide your business with bespoke advice that fits your organizations’ needs.

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Don’t hesitate to prevent fraud in your workplace today.

About us…

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS102000:2013 and BS7858:2019 Certifications is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI Group™ launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC™ operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI® Group’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organizations. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.

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CRI™ to attend PBSA Mid-Year Legislative & Regulatory Conference 2022

Corporate Research and Investigations Limited (CRI Group™) is delighted to unveil our place at the 2022 PBSA Mid-Year Legislative & Regulatory Conference in Virginia, USA.

The PBSA Mid-Year Legislative & Regulatory Conference is convened each year in the spring with a large emphasis on law, legislature, training, and compliance associated topics in correlation to the background screening industry. This specific conference offers insight and support for everyone across a range of industries at all levels in the operative hierarchy. Every attendee is guaranteed to leave this conference equipped with significant data and resources to advance them in their individual corporate objectives. It is standard for the Exhibition Hall to be packed with industry affiliates and experts showcasing their goods and services and is an excellent prospect for you to educate yourself about the most recent industry manufactured goods and services that can be used to enrich your organisations stance on conducting background screening.

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Who are the PBSA?

The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) is an association that originated in 2003 as a means of progressing brilliance in the screening vocation through encouraging the use of background screening companies when conducting checks on the likes of employees and occupants and presently platforms the abilities of more than 900 member firms around the globe; they diverge from Fortune 100 corporations to smaller, regional organisations that perform masses of employment and tenant background checks each year as a portion of the hiring and leasing process. The PBSA does this by determining and supporting the maximum degree of integrity and execution standards for the experts in this profession.

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What is a background check?

A background check is data which is recorded on a single individual which is brought about at the point of evaluation when verifying their suitability for a role or board. Proprietors ascertain what elements to incorporate in the background check – this is generally built on the trade, location, or housing unit. These elements may include facets such as criminal history data, public records, motorist data, employment records, scholastic information, license authentication, credit information and reference checks. Background checks may also include drug testing, a physical, and even psychological evaluations or assessments. To decide which elements may be included in a background check, candidates are urged to discuss matters with their prospective managers and property administrators.

CRI® is certified by British Standard Institute BSI for the scope of BS 7858:2019 Screening of individuals working in a secure environment, Code of practice and BS 102000:2018 Code of practice for the provision of investigative services. The BSI is the only BS 7858 accredited background screening services provider in the UAE and across the Middle East. Find out more about the BS 7858:2019 below or download the free playbook.

FIND OUT MORE or DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE

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Why conduct background checks?

Background checks are completed for numerous occasions – this is comprehensive of compliance with accommodation, certification as well as employment rules and regulations. Additionally, background checks can be used to diminish workplace hostility, fraud, larceny, and theft; organisations have an obligation to safeguard their personnel, customers, and the community by directing their efforts to completing their due diligence and accordingly completing a background check on candidates to alleviate perils in homes and workplaces.

The pros of using a specialist third-party service to oversee background checks are countless. All-inclusive background checks are best performed by industry experts who understand where to find and confirm employee data vacillating from criminal, education and employment history records checks to verification of credentials, training, certifications, and other important info claimed by the employee or candidate.

Proprietors tend to employ background checks as a means of generating educated employment decisions by mitigating the risk in selecting the wrong candidate by preserving highly competent candidates for roles in their organisation and thereby reducing their employee turnover rate. These are just a few of the advantages of conducting a background check. Find out more about the significance of conducting a background check below or download the free brochure.

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It is an honour for us to be a part of a conference that extends to and facilitates so many organisations across the globe; more information on the event will be released soon so keep your eye out for our updates! We hope to see you there.

About CRI Group™

Corporate Research and Investigations Limited, or CRI Group™ for short, has been safeguarding businesses from fraud, bribery and corruption since 1990. Globally, we are a leading Compliance and Risk Management company licensed and incorporated entity of the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) and Qatar Financial Center (QFC). CRI™ protects businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. Based in London, United Kingdom, CRI™ is a global company with experts and resources located in key regional marketplaces across the Asia Pacific, South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, North and South America. Our global team can support your organisation anywhere in the world.

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Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Checks; The Lowdown

Anti-Money Laundering checks is a broad term applied to define checks conducted as a portion of the UK’s Anti-Money Laundering regulatory framework. An AML can be a check on a person carrying out a specialised role, or an organisation supplying goods or services.  The official structure comprises of various distinct Acts and Regulations and differs from nation to nation depending on the laws and legislations the land has in place. The UK law makers are frequently recognised to pursue regulations that aim to counteract, identify, and report money laundering pursuits. This is in an effort to deal with the ever-increasing concerns encompassing criminal activity, terrorism, extremism and profits of corruption. In that sense, the UK Government have succeeded in detecting various vital segments that may be prone to money laundering and ought to take the lead in advocating for best practice and greater regulation within corporate organisations. This is comprehensive of a number of legal and fiscal sectors.

Why are Anti-Money Laundering Checks (AML) Necessary?

Anti-Money Laundering checks intend to generate alterations in the notion adjacent to money laundering as well as other types of monetary violations. Countless trade regulators and organisations employ Anti-Money Laundering checks as the first step in the HR and recruitment process as it helps HR people ensure that employees and candidates have the qualification to work or practice. Checks are also frequently utilised to detect clients while also confirming that additional organisations in the supply chain are proper and appropriate for the business needs. There is no exact collection of obligations for all Anti-Money Laundering checks nevertheless, the existing applicable regulations that are in place to pursue the advancement of risk-based intelligent surrounding money laundering and other such activities. However, it is important to note that there are laws in place that correlate with the need for an anti-money laundering check. Some of the legislations in the UK for instance include:

• The Terrorism Act 2000 (as amended by the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 and the Terrorism Act 2006
• Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001
• The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) as amended by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA)
• Counter-terrorism Act 2008, Schedule 7
• Terrorist Asset-Freezing Act 2010
• The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017
• The Criminal Finances Act 2017

An efficient Anti-Money Laundering structure is an indication of your organisations position in opposition to its competitors in the industry against the fiscal offenses. As international commercial nations become progressively more mindful of their obligations, international organisation must develop the comprehensive capability to report these matters and execute procedures, practices, and related risk assessment mechanisms in a bid to minimise their risk and consequence in the grand scheme of things.

CRI™ Anti-money laundering (AML) consultative solution intends to help the investigation of existing systems and further improve operational solutions that decrease your organisations risk of falling quarry to operative, supplier, or outside corporate and fiscal crimes. Our immense Anti-Corruption and Compliance network offers the defense you require when making significant bottom-line decisions crucial to your organisation’s success.

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What are the Outcomes of a Deficient AML Framework?

To have inadequate regulations can result in being indicted with participating in illicit pursuits surrounding money laundering and lead to several of the subsequent adverse outcomes:

• Damaged corporate reputations: brands and organisations who have a diminishing reputation can progressively expect both their supplier and consumer base to weaken causing brand devaluation. This can lead to monetary complexities as well as challenges being able to work in partnership with other organisations and suppliers as a great reputation ensures collaborators that your organisation conducts business lawfully and suitably making them more probable to want to work beside your organisation.
• Negative investor perceptions: in correlation to a wounded reputation, organisations may also find it increasingly challenging to find investors to back their ventures. This could lead to the premature shutting down of a business as well as other issues such as liquidation and bankruptcy.
• Corroding employee morale: trustworthy enterprise always begins from within the corporate culture. Engaging in illicit activities often result in high employee turnaround whilst also corroding employee morale and giving them the opportunity to embark on other illicit activities within the corporate area. This may lead to fraud, bribery and corruption commenced by the employees which is a detrimental and ominous oversight for any organisation. It’s also just as important to screen your employees so you know that your employees are competent for the role in question. Find out more about our employee background screening solutions here.
• Probable consumer boycotts: ethics are just important to a brands consumer as it is to the brand. In the wake of social activism, no organisation is renowned enough to not fall victim to a boycott effort. You may have some loyal consumers left but your organisation may end up with a longstanding, damaged reputation.
• Possible legal action: A general trend when it comes to issues surrounding money laundering is that it usually leads to further penalties surrounding fines and expenses. In this case, legal action not only damages the reputation of an organisation to investors, suppliers, and consumers, it can also result in fines & potential jail terms for company directors and fighting these cases are often as costly as they are time consuming.
•  

It is evident to see that the aftermath of partaking in illicit money laundering schemes and not implementing anti-money laundering checks can lead to the downfall of the entire organisation. And in a world of ever-tightening regulations, why wouldn’t you want to be one step ahead of the industry?

If the perception of an AML check still feels a little overwhelming to you, why not consider booking a free 30-minute consultation with one of our experts here at CRI® Group? Our specialists have years of experience and are qualified to offer your organisation personalised guidance to fit your professional requirements. Don’t hesitate, get in touch today and stay ahead of the rules and regulations that impact your organisation.

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Risk Assessment Breakdown: Identification, Analysis, and Evaluation

Risk management is a full-time, ongoing endeavour for organisations in today’s business world, and it poses constant challenges. Unfortunately, fraud, bribery and corruption are major factors affecting businesses and agencies of all sizes and industries. Being proactive against these risks can mean the difference between success and ruin. Whatever your reasons or motivations might be, if your organisation’s objective is to have an effective risk assessment management strategy in place. This article discusses the importance of Risk Assessment. There are two important building blocks that form the core of risk management:

• Risk assessment
• Risk treatment

Each of these stages can stand on their own – in this article we will go into detail about best practices for identifying risks, how to analyse them in terms of probability and severity, and how they can be evaluated in terms of the company’s risk appetite.

What is Risk Assessment?

Risk assessment is the overall process of identification, analysis and evaluation of any given risk. It can be a systematic examination of a task, job or process that a risk professional carries out at work for the purpose of identifying significant hazards. For example, the risk of someone being harmed and deciding what further control measures to take to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. The process will vary between organisations, but it should start with identification of hazards, analysis of who and what might be harmed, evaluation of the risk, documentation of the risks, taking action and review. Your organisation should conduct a risk assessment systematically, interactively and collaboratively, drawing on the knowledge and views of stakeholders. It should use the best available information, supplemented by a further inquiry as necessary.

Risk assessment breaks down into:

• Step 1: Identification
• Step 2: Analysis
• Step 3: Evaluation

Business Intelligence (BI) Solutions can help during this stage. BI take many shapes and forms in today’s complex business environment. Budgets are stretched and the challenges facing a business and its employees can sometimes lead to issues that start off small, but then lead to wider spread problems which can affect the very fabric of your organisation and damage both your credibility, reputation and bottom line profits. CRI Group™ takes two approaches to BI solutions:

• Intelligence operations (via market research and analysis): we focus on researching the future and potential growth of your business – i.e. determine the commercial viability and potential for success in the market, analyse consumer behaviour and business trends in that market, etc.
• Investigative operations (via commercial investigations): we focus on the current status of your business – i.e. location of assets, financial information, identification of unmet needs of any market, gauge brand awareness and identity in the market, etc.)

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Risk Identification

The purpose of risk identification is to find, recognise and describe risks that might help or prevent an organisation achieving its objectives. Relevant, appropriate and up-to-date information is important in identifying risks. The organisation can use a range of techniques for identifying uncertainties that may affect one or more objectives. The following factors, and the relationship between these factors, should be considered:

• Tangible and intangible sources of risk;
• Causes and events;
• Threats and opportunities;
• Vulnerabilities and capabilities;
• Changes in the external and internal context;
• Indicators of emerging risks;
• The nature and value of assets and resources;
• Consequences and their impact on objectives;
• Limitations of knowledge and reliability of information;
• Time-related factors;
• Biases, assumptions and beliefs of those involved.

Your organisation should identify risks, whether or not your sources are under your control. Consideration should be given that there may be more than one type of outcome, which may result in a variety of tangible or intangible consequences.

Risk Analysis

Risk analysis allows you to understand the nature of risk, its characteristics and level. Because an event can have multiple causes and consequences and can affect multiple objectives a risk analysis should involve a detailed consideration of uncertainties such as risk sources, consequences, likelihood, events, scenarios, controls and their effectiveness.

Risk analysis can be undertaken with varying degrees of detail and complexity, depending on the purpose of the analysis, the availability and reliability of the information, and the resources available. Analysis techniques can be qualitative, quantitative or a combination of both, depending on the circumstances and intended use. Risk analysis should consider factors such as:

• The likelihood of events and consequences;
• The nature and magnitude of consequences;
• Complexity and connectivity;
• Time-related factors and volatility;
• The effectiveness of existing controls;
• Sensitivity and confidence levels.

A risk analysis is likely to be influenced by a wide range of variables, from any divergence of opinions, biases to perceptions of risk, from judgements, quality of the information used to the assumptions and exclusions made and any limitations of the techniques and how they are executed. These influences should be considered any risk analysis, documented and communicated to any decision-makers involved in the process.

It is important to remember that any highly uncertain event can be difficult to quantify, and this is an issue. If you find yourself in such a situation, using a combination of techniques generally provides greater insight. Risk analysis provides input to risk evaluation, to decisions on whether risk needs to be treated and how, and on the most appropriate risk treatment strategy and methods. The results provide insight for decisions, where choices are being made, and the options involve different types and levels of risk.

Risk Evaluation

Risk evaluation can support your decisions. Risk evaluation involves comparing the results of the risk analysis with the established risk criteria to determine where additional action is required. This can lead to a decision to:

• Do nothing further;
• Consider risk treatment options;
• Undertake further analysis to better understand the risk;
• Maintain existing controls;
• Reconsider objectives.

Any decisions should take into account the wider context and the actual and perceived consequences to external and internal stakeholders. The outcome of risk evaluation should be recorded, communicated and then validated at appropriate levels of the organisation.

Who should do Risk Assessments?

Well, by law, every employer must conduct risk assessments. Risk assessments should always be carried out by a professional who is familiar to risk, a person who is experienced and competent to do so.  Competence can be expressed as a combination of knowledge, awareness, training, and experience. Remember competence does not mean you have to know everything about everything, competence also means knowing when you know enough or when you should call in further expert help.

But we all like to think that all of our employees will be trustworthy, but this is not always the case. There have been many instances in which an employee has been dishonest about their job history, qualifications or even criminal history. A dishonest employee could be unqualified for the position, possibly endangering others on the job. Or they might be a fraud risk, willing to bend the truth in other ways in order to enrich or advance themselves on your dime. No organisation can afford to have employees or staff who aren’t what they claim to be. Even a seemingly innocent embellishment can indicate more background problems under the surface, and the potential for future problems down the road so remember, trust your employees but, verify them too. 

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Risk Assessment and ISO 31000 Certification with ABAC™

While the team at CRI® do not deliver any training or certification on ISO 31000, our partner ABAC™ Center of Excellence do. ISO 31000 can provide the principles, framework and a process for managing risk. ISO 31000 is not a certifiable standard; the standard is a set of guidelines which provide guidance for internal or external audit programmes. However we recommend taking ISO 31000 Awareness training, this will enable you to fully understand Risk Management activities and mitigate risk. 

ISO 31000 was developed by hundreds of experts in risk mitigation, from thirty countries. This international effort produced a standard that is worldwide and represents best practices and leading operations for risk management. Organisations can trust that they are following a tested, robust standard to increase success. The standard converts risk management into a set of “friendly” and actionable – and straightforward to implement – guidelines, regardless of the size, nature, or location of a business. 

The training helps establish an ethical culture by educating your personnel on the following:

• What constitutes fraud, corruption, and bribery, and why these are so damaging to business
• How to identify red flags of fraud, corruption, and bribery
• The process for reporting fraudulent and unethical acts
• The organization’s zero-tolerance attitude toward unethical behaviour and willingness to terminate employees for breaches, and prosecute unethical acts
• The serious ramifications for committing fraud or bribery, the legal consequences, and the negative impact on one’s career

The ISO certifications helps us at ABAC™ to provide appropriate anti-bribery training to personnel across various industries. This standard helps to assess bribery risks, perform the appropriate due diligence required for your business and to take reasonable and proportionate steps to ensure that controlled organizations and business associates have implemented appropriate anti-bribery controls.

> Find out more about ISO 31000 Risk Management and other standards now!

Other Solutions

While CRI™ may not offer the ISO certification, we do offer other services. We specialise in solutions regarding compliance, working as trusted partners to businesses and institutions across the globe. Our experts work with energy, insight and care to ensure we provide a positive experience to everyone involved – clients, reference providers and candidates. CRI’s unique identity and vision evolved from our fundamental desire to support our clients and their candidates, thus creating the DueDiligence360™.

The DueDiligence360^TM reports to help organisations comply with anti-money laundering, anti-bribery, and anti-corruption regulations. This service also proves beneficial ahead of a merger, acquisition, or joint venture as it can be used for a third-party risk assessment, onboarding decision-making, and identifying beneficial ownership structures. Identifying key risk issues clearly and concisely helps enhance your knowledge and understanding of the customer, supplier, and third-party risk, helping you avoid those involved with financial crime.

Why not consider our background investigative solutions? Employee Background Checks can aid in reducing the risk of hiring an employee who does not live up to their supposed skill set and could cause irrevocable damage. Firms spend years, thousands, even millions to brand their products and services – it only takes one bad hire to cause loss of capital and reputation. It can go as far as bringing a business to fail – especially if the employee holds malice towards the organisation. EmploySmart™ is CRI’s own solution aiming to expose vulnerabilities and threats within your organisation. Much like the ISO certification, our EmploySmart™ is a risk management measure which can be used to significantly reduce business and financial crime, fraud and malpractice within your workplace.

Our solutions are also certified by the British Standard Institute BSI for the scope of BS 7858:2019 Screening of individuals working in a secure environment, Code of practice (the only BS 7858 certified background screening services provider in the UAE and across the Middle East); and BS 102000:2018 Code of practice for the provision of investigative services.

Another risk management solution to consider from CRI® is our Third-Party Risk Management solution (TPRM),  also known as 3PRM™. In wake of the global pandemic, the 3PRM™ was developed in a bid to aid organisations to accurately determine the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of external parties, vendors, and customers who seek to be affiliated with and represent the business.

The 3PRM-Certified™ program consists of gap analysis and investigative due diligence on the targeted above parties.  This highly thorough program reveals anti-corruption, compliance and risk management discrepancies associated with the international regulatory framework helping your business to flourish at any scale. Find out more about CRI Group’s Solutions here.

If you’re unsure of what solution may be best for you and your business, how about connecting with one of our experts for a free consultation? Receive tailored advice from the top analysts and investigators across the globe.

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About CRI Group™

Based in London, CRI™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI™ launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC™ operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI® Group’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organisations. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.

Filed under: All Industries, Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption Solution, Background Investigation, Compliance Solution, Due Diligence, ISO 37001, Resources, Third-Party Risk Management by admin
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To Check or Not to Check?

Background Checks: To Check or Not to Check?

Background checks don’t tend to make international news. They are the low-key diligent step in most well-managed recruitment processes to comfort employers that the person they are hiring is everything they seem – and nothing more.

That’s why the background checks of Belle Gibson, a super influencer who lied about having cancer, and Brett Kavanaugh, a nominee to the US Supreme Court, tend to make news headlines for who can you trust if not those in direct line of the public eye?

The Story of Belle Gibson & Brett Kavanaugh

Belle Gibson was a Melbourne “wellness” who rose to fame after sharing her story on Instagram of her terminal brain cancer and how she controls it through the power of healthy eating. Gibson claimed to have kept her cancer under control by turning away conventional medicinal practices and instead of following what she termed a “wellness” diet, a diet consisting of avocados, berries, no alcohol and so on.

Sounds impressive, right? To rid yourself of an incurable disease simply through eating better? Think again – it is too good to be true. The influencers lie caused untold damage, including turning a 44-year-old mother away from her chemotherapy in hopes of attaining Ms Gibson’s lifestyle.

But the reason why this lie broke headlines is because of what followed; a book deal with Penguin Books publishing company and an Apple app titled ‘The Whole Pantry’. It was evident that neither the tech giants nor the publishers thought to verify her assertions, thus leading to a $320,000 fine and a lot more emotional damage for the individual’s that Ms Gibson had provided false hope.

Context is everything, of course, and this job-for-life is one of the more crucial public office positions in the United States. Mr Kavanaugh had undergone six separate background checks during his career before the latest, which the FBI recently completed on behalf of the White House. Each of these will have been meticulous and thorough, right down to interviews with neighbours and acquaintances.

But you don’t have to be entrusted with national security clearance to pose a real risk to your employer. All staff members are in a position of trust, and even the humblest labourers or office workers will have privileged access to property – whether physical or intellectual. And this is not a theoretical risk – it’s a truism that employees or contractors cause the vast majority of security breaches.

The Compliance Perspective

Interviewing the ex-wives and sports coaches of factory and desk clerks is overkill and not economic. And that is where professional background checking comes in. It allows low hassle, cost-effective and fast checking for all recruits and employees to ensure everyone is what they claim to be, from the CEO to the company mascot.

Such checks will cover everything required to give HR directors and governing boards peace of mind: from criminal record checks and right-to-work documentation to education and qualification verifications and employment records.

A properly systematised process, supported by local intelligence, is essential to keeping costs low without compromising quality or effectiveness.

CRI Group™ is one of the few providers with a truly global reach and more than thirty years of experience in the sector. Our proven process means that we have one of the fastest turnaround times in the industry – typically just 3-5 days. Meanwhile, our more than 175 investigatory experts on the ground across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, ensure we can navigate local customs, processes and regulations, no matter where your employees are based.

About CRI Group™

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider.

We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group also holds B.S. 102000:2013 and B.S. 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI Group™ launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™ ) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification.

ABAC® operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI Group’s international team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organisations. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.

Filed under: All Industries, Background Investigation, Industry Insights, Resources, United States of America, New York by admin
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