One of those activity types is transactions. For example, a hypothetical search for overseas corruption might focus on certain countries to identify influential people and transaction patterns that suggest an arms deal is taking place. If a person of modest means suddenly becomes wealthy, an alert might be posted. The data structure lends itself to acquiring and analyzing information from a virtually unlimited number of sources, he says. Depending on the system's configuration and user requirements, these updates can arrive daily, weekly or monthly.
Time is critical when detecting fraud, and even a delay of a few hours can cost money.
SRD is testing an updated system that can report events in near real time. As fast as a user introduces a new element into a source system, such as a telephone number on an employment record or a new mailing address, the information is instantly tested against the entire repository. Should an alert be triggered, the system notifies an administrator within seconds. This will aid many of SRD's clients. Shortening the detection time on a crime translates into millions of dollars, he says.