SINGAPORE: They install alarm systems at homes and offices, deploy security guards - and now, they could also be the people to turn to, should you need something suspicious like IT or financial fraud investigated.

Computer forensics and commercial fraud investigations are just some of the investigation-related offerings at Certis Cisco Security.

The company, which has been offering professional investigation services since 2005, also performs background checks, surveillance and private investigations as part of its consulting arm.

Clients are mainly multi-national corporations, financial institutions and law firms, said Certis Cisco Security Consulting managing director Charles Loh, who pointed to the "interconnectedness among the realms of security, safety, crisis management and even business continuity".

And with increasing demand for security services that go beyond the patrolling of premises, the authorities are encouraging other security companies to diversify.

"We encourage security agencies to provide more comprehensive solutions to meet the needs of security buyers and to ensure their agencies' continued relevance in the business environment," said a spokesperson for the Singapore Police Force, which regulates the local security industry.

For example security systems provider Ademco Security performs "audit" services - helping customers trace the sequence of events when an intrusion or break-in occurs.

"For example, when a logistics company loses a shipment of goods, we can detect the flaws and the breach and help to determine when it was lost," said Mr Patrick Lim, marketing manager of Ademco.

"We are familiar with the system and we know where to look. It's faster if we can narrow down the options and help the investigation."

The company started providing such services about five years ago upon clients' requests. "We've seen a gradual increase in demand from our customers, usually big corporations and MNCs.

"It's not a big part of our business but there are a significant number of requests," said Mr Lim.

But he drew the line at venturing into areas like fraud investigation. "You can't enter that field without the expertise," he said.

Agreeing, Mr Yves Nolin, director of sales and marketing at ADT Monitoring said: "How can we do a better job than the police? We prefer to focus on developing our strengths and products."

He pointed out that providing a sound security system would help the police in investigations. "When the police come, we know we have the intruder's face captured on video, because we have developed the technology to do that," he said.

Mr Nelson Tee, vice-president of the Security Systems Association of Singapore, said it encourages all companies to "provide services that are as comprehensive as possible".

Investigative work was a "different field", he said: "It's something you can't do without the knowledge. But if companies are interested in providing a total solution, and have the know-how, they should go ahead." - TODAY/ym