Ernst & Young Oceania fraud investigation and dispute services leader Paul Fontanot said one of the greatest challenges faced by businesses was how they manage their information in a cost effective manner, particularly so when they are faced with a commercial dispute, conducting an investigation, responding to increasing regulatory requests or simply monitoring compliance with financial, anti-bribery, or other industry-based regulations.

"Escalating pressure from compliance and regulatory authorities, coupled with the proliferation of data, and globally integrated transactions companies are forced to manage their data according to increasingly complex IT privacy, access, and governance standards," Mr Fontanot said.

"Over the past 14 months, we have been steadily expanding our e-discovery and IT forensic infrastructure, and expect our new team members to continue building capability in this area."

Mr Fontanot said in many dispute, compliance or investigative cases, organisations either launching or defending a lawsuit require computer forensics, and electronic discovery technology.

"Having robust processes in place, adequate tools, and trained professionals is absolutely critical in ensuring that electronic data is managed effectively," Mr Fontanot said.

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