Deloitte to Merge with Forensic Data
Deloitte to Merge with Forensic Data
December 5, 2007: Professional services firm, Deloitte has announced a merger with the Australian based Forensic Data Services (FDS), effectively doubling the size of its Computer, Forensic and Electronic Discovery group.
FDS is no stranger to mergers; the company actually began as a merger in 1998 between a data recovery service and a software company. FDS currently supplies data recovery and computer forensic services, as well as being involved in several high profile investigations for the ACCC and a number of Royal Commissions.
“The merger will create the largest and most experienced forensic technology team of its kind in Asia Pacific and is recognition of the ever increasing demand for a Forensic approach to the collection and processing of electronic information required for legal or regulatory proceedings.” Giam Swiegers Deloitte Australia’s CEO.
The FDS team, which is currently spread between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will be assimilated into Deloitte’s Computer, Forensic and Electronic Discovery Group. The increased coverage will help boost Deloitte’s existing team in an area it believes has a rapidly growing demand.
“We have seen a dramatic increase in demand for technology forensic and electronic discovery support services as regulators and legal firms increasingly rely on the completeness and accuracy of electronic information, such as email, business documents and transaction records related to business activity.” Said Tim Phillipps, Deloitte’s Forensic Asia Pacific Practice Leader.