Recessions are often, unfortunately, characterised by a rise in financial crime. Whether this is because of increased security in cash-strapped businesses or a greater imperative for fraudsters to strike, in the current climate businesses must be switched on to the threats.

Data from Cifas indicates a 25 per cent rise in fraud over the last five years, and according to Kroll's global fraud survey, in 2010 88 per cent of companies around the globe were targeted by some form of fraud. In Europe, the majority of these cases were someone who worked for the organisation.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace and difficult economic conditions, strict control of loss of cash, contacts or data could be the difference between a company's survival and failure.

To ensure that a company is protected from both external threats, and those working within an organisation, managers must be vigilant and professional, and ensure that robust systems are in place to detect and tackle fraud.

Positive actions such as fraud awareness training and a fraud response plan can help a company to ensure that when fraudsters strike they are able to detect and identify threats.