dictionary shown through glasses

Massachusetts Drug Lab Scandal

Christine L. Peterson, CPP, ISPBackground Investigation, Compliance, News, Theft, Embezzlement, and Fraud

On Saturday, September 29, 2012, the News and Observer covered the story of Annie Dookhan, a chemist at a Massachusetts drug lab. This story underscores some of the devastation that can result when an organization doesn’t follow basic security principles which require both screening and guardianship. The lack of screening and guardianship at the Massachusetts state drug lab has already …

people texting

Legal Requirements as Mobile Devices Inundate Offices

Amanda StricklandCompliance, Computer Forensics, Crisis Management Planning, Electronic Data Recovery, Intellectual Property, Security Program Development

By Elizabeth Johnson Originally published in Business North Carolina’s Law Journal, May 2012 issue With 87% of employees confirming they use personal electronic devices for work, designing a workable “bring-your-own-device” program is probably overdue. BYOD is a tricky issue; 48% of companies claim they would never authorize employees to use personal devices for work, but 57% acknowledge that employees do …

employment application

Yahoo Chief Executive Scott Thompson Steps Down

Tasha Dyson, CFEBackground Investigation, Compliance, Theft, Embezzlement, and Fraud

Based on experience with some of our clients, there seems to be an assumption that applicants for C-level positions are somehow immune from falsifying information and are above reproach. The assumption seems to be that since an applicant has worked at “Alpha Company”, there is no need for “Beta Company” to do a thorough background investigation. The faulty logic is …

BP texting

Government Files First Criminal Charges In BP Oil Spill

Amanda StricklandCompliance, Computer Forensics

As businesses have evolved and grown, so have the ways we communicate. It is no longer as simple as a letter, meeting, or a phone call. We send emails, have video chats, communicate with instant messages, and send text messages at an exponential rate. Have you ever stopped to consider how your company would respond to a preservation letter or …

Digital Message Resonance and Its Impact on Economic Advantage

Christine L. Peterson, CPP, ISPSecurity Program Development

Using Social Media Monitoring and Analytics to Protect Human Capital, Company Property, and Your Brand Social Media is a relatively new term that has become ingrained in our consciousness and language, but do you know what it means or encompasses? If you answered no, then you are in the majority. Everyone talks about Social Media, but few really understand it. …

cargo plane

FedEx Settles Charges of Causing, Aiding and Abetting Unlicensed Exports

Christine L. Peterson, CPP, ISPCompliance, News

In 2010, Michael R. Epperly, Esq. who heads RMA’s Corporate Compliance consulting arm, wrote an insightful article that addressed the corporate compliance challenges that American companies face in the global marketplace. Through his experience as legal counsel, investigator, and consultant he is acutely aware of the importance of a solid corporate compliance program to an organization and the penalties that …

laptop with lock on it

When Employees Leave, Data Should Stay

Russell W. Gilmore, CISSP, CISM, EnCEComputer Forensics

As a security consultant, quite often I am asked to assist with the hiring and termination of employees. The hiring process generally includes background checks, reference interviews, and financial history, along with other information. My involvement in the termination process is as a third-party observer and advisor. As a computer forensics expert and consultant, I am often called in sometime …

dont-click

Don’t Click that Link!

Christine L. Peterson, CPP, ISPSecurity Program Development, Training

NCMS (National Classification Management Society) is a society that provides training and guidance to private sector firms who are industrial contractors to the federal government on classified contracts. As a member of the national organization and the Carolinas Chapter, RMA has access to some excellent and timely training. “Don’t Click That Link!” came from another member and is a good …

Painful Lessons from Leland

Christine L. Peterson, CPP, ISPBackground Investigation

SBI investigates Leland’s former Asst. Town Manager Excerpts from article: Michelle Cox was hired by the Town of Leland in January, and left after about six months on the job. During that time she was the highest ranking female employee in Leland, and was assigned to investigate claims of sexual harassment filed by Officer Sherry Lewis. About the same time, …

gavel law books

Penn State: Clery Act Implications

Amanda StricklandCompliance

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced that it would launch its own investigation into the now infamous Penn State football scandal. This investigation will focus on whether the university failed to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act) – the federal law which, among other …