Yogesh highlights a key issue which distributors and advisors will do well to take note of, just as all FIFA members have, thanks to a recent knowledge initiative that FIFA organized for its members. FIFA asked Mr. D Sivanandhan, who recently retired as Mumbai's top cop, to give a presentation on the theme "Future crimes in a connected world", where he highlighted just how easy it is for rogues to steal your client data and even access your personal credit card without ever touching it. Read on to understand how data is being compromised and what you can do to protect your and your clients data.

FIFA had organised a talk by Mr. D. Sivanandhan on Thursday, 25th September 2014 as part of their knowledge series. Mr. D. Sivanandhan was the Police Commissioner of Mumbai after the 26/11 attacks and retired as the Director General of Police Maharashtra in 2011. He has worked in the Intelligence Bureau (I.B.) as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation (C.B.I.). Most recently, he has been a member of the special task force in the National Security Council Secretariat (Prime Minister's Office) for revamping India's internal and external national security measures. He is also the security advisor to the Reserve Bank of India.

Mr. D. Sivanandhan addressing FIFA members and AMC guests

He spoke on the topic "Future Crimes - in a connected World", a real eye opener for one and all on how easily our and our client's data can be accessed and misused. AMC CEOs, Sales Heads, Fund Managers and other representatives along with FIFA members present were really in awe when even the devices were shown to them physically along with live demos on how easily data can be compromised through these devices. The audience was mesmerized when a video was shown of how easily one's credit card or even one's access card can be cloned by a thief without one even touching these cards and not even being physically in contact with the owners of these cards. All that a thief needs to do is be in close proximity of the person either standing next to him in an elevator or just standing in a queue or market place besides him or her.

A rapt audience, spell bound by the presentation and live demos

A device was shown and also demonstrated live to the audience on how someone can come to one's office and just plug in a small USB device into one's computer or even remotely in close proximity to the laptop or computer and copy the complete data of that computer even if the computer and data is password protected. True examples of how easily Bank frauds were committed by insiders were shown and also how just with an umbrella ATMs were robbed without detection of CCTVs.

Websites were shown where these devices were easily available online and therefore it further reinforced that how important it is for organisations and companies to not be complacent of their data and the personnel they hire as it was also demonstrated as most data thefts occur with insider help. Mr. Sivanandhan now heads a successful organisation called Securus First where they guide and help organisations and companies and individuals to protect their data.

Dhruv Mehta and Yogesh Sharma thank Mr. Sivanandhan for a truly enlightening talk

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