Editorial

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-02-2017-0014
Published date03 July 2017
Date03 July 2017
Pages390-392
AuthorShima D. Keene
Subject MatterAccounting & Finance,Financial risk/company failure,Financial crime
Editorial
International symposium on economic crime think tank on “security,
intelligence, and law enforcement” Jesus College, Cambridge
On 11 September 2016, exactly 15 years to the day after the events of 9/11, the rst
meeting of the Security, Intelligence and Law Enforcement (SILE) Think Tank was held
at Jesus College, Cambridge, as part of the 34th International Symposium on Economic
Crime. In addition to bringing international terrorism to the top of the international
security agenda, the events of 9/11 highlighted the crucial role nancial intelligence
could play in combatting future similar threats. Since 2001, the threat of international
terrorism and other security threats such as transnational organised crime have evolved
considerably. As the climate of global insecurity deepens, it is more important than ever
to gather strength by working closely with our colleagues from all sectors, irrespective
of background, rank or seniority to share knowledge and experiences in order that our
own organisational responses to these various security threats can be improved.
The concept of the think tanks was developed by Professor Barry Rider, Director of the
Symposium, with three main objectives in mind. First, to better capture and enhance the
activities of the Symposium; second, to provide continuity between the annual events; and,
third, to develop deliverable outputs in terms of papers and think pieces. The aim of the SILE
think tank in particular is to examine how intelligence, including nancial intelligence, can
be better utilised to mitigate security risks associated with terrorism and organised crime.
To that aim, as Chair of the think tank, I was greatly privileged to be able to bring together
colleagues from a wide variety of professions representing institutions across law
enforcement, judiciary, nancial institutions, defence and intelligence, the private sector and
academia. Furthermore, the panel comprised practitioners from all levels of seniority to
enable an in-depth understanding of both strategic and practical/tactical issues. This Special
Edition of the Journal of Financial Crime has been produced on the basis of discussions
which emerged from the rst meeting of the SILE think tank.
It is easy to forget that two or three decades ago, organisations were challenged by
data paucity. Currently, the reverse is true. As a result of the internet and advancements
in related technologies, access to published information and data has led to data deluge,
where managing that information has become increasingly challenging but, at the same
time, increasingly necessary. For information to be useful, it must be evaluated to sift
reliable from unreliable and further analysed to create a product that is t for purpose –
in other words, actionable intelligence.
Good actionable intelligence is needed not only for institutions directly involved in
defence and security but also for all sectors wishing not to fall victim to the threats posed
by terrorist and criminal organisations. Even within security institutions, there is
evidence to suggest that better use of intelligence is necessary, nancial intelligence in
particular. For example, within policing, far too often time is spent by intelligence
ofcers and staff processing rather than analysing information. The tendency to reject
technology as something that is too expensive, or on the basis of the myth that money
spent on technology will result in job losses for police ofcers, is widespread and
problematic. But this technology is intended to assist personnel, not to replace them. In
addition, technology is becoming far more affordable. In the security environment of the
twenty-rst century, of which technology and cyberspace are core elements, it is more
JFC
24,3
390
Journalof Financial Crime
Vol.24 No. 3, 2017
pp.390-392
©Emerald Publishing Limited
1359-0790
DOI 10.1108/JFC-02-2017-0014

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