Rapid advances in technology are presenting greater opportunities for criminals.

Offshore we have to be increasingly alert to the threats.

Island based investigation, training and data security consultancy ‘Intelect’ have joined forces with Great Chatwell Academy of Learning (GCAL) and Lee Byrne a leader in the field of Anti Money Laundering and relevant financial crime issues.

They are together promoting three days of events in September to raise the understanding of the risks of conducting business in the digital world.

Great Chatwell represents an international association of risk and compliance professionals who have formed together to create an exciting new risk and compliance advisory service.

Director of Intelect, Colin Tansley said: ‘Technology is driving change at a rapid pace, with issues such as crypto currency and the blockchain overtaking regulation, procedure and training.

‘Partnering with Great Chatwell provides fantastic opportunities to bring global experts to the Isle of Man to give their views on how best to tackle these important issues’.

On September 18 at the iMuseum the two companies are hosting an event titled ‘Conducting Customer Due Diligence in the 21st Century’.

Sponsored by Grant Thornton (Isle of Man) the conference is of particular relevance to companies operating in legal or financial services and those working with crypto currencies.

The objective is to discuss how best to approach conducting the checks required to satisfy legislation and manage risk when working with crypto.

The event will be opened by Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly with international speakers including Samantha Sheen (financial regulatory, risk management, financial crime and legal advisory expert) and Pawel Kuskowski (CEO of Coinfirm).

On the same day Great Chatwell will be demonstrating a virtual reality experience tailored for data security.

Developed by Lee Byrne and soon to be available on the island this is an innovative way to train staff on the fundamentals of information security.

Mr Byrne said: ‘After many years of personally experiencing death by PowerPoint I came up with the idea of virtual reality training in the workplace. I believe that when training is fun delegates learn more and retain information for longer because it engages and stimulates the brain.

‘I am confident that the virtual e-gaming experience will provide a memorable experience and is definitely the future for data security training in the workplace.’

The following two days (September 19 and 20) are devoted to training compliance professionals in forensic customer due diligence techniques.

With organised crime groups continuing to seek out methods to evade the controls and systems designed to prevent money laundering this course, certified by the University of Gloucester, will cover online investigative techniques, crypto currencies and Blockchain analysis.

Mr Tansley said: ‘The Isle of Man is already a well-regulated and respected offshore centre, but we should not be complacent.

‘Companies engaged in financial services are very much in the crosshairs of cyber criminals and those with malicious intent.

‘These three days are about data security and continuing to enhance our reputation as a safe place to do digital business’. [email protected]