Nt first vendor to complete GSMA's Certified Fraud Training Programme

Neural Technologies' personnel are amongst the first students to complete the GSM Association's Certified Fraud Training Programme, earning the title of GSMA-Certified Telecommunications Fraud Specialist. Steve Maher and Mike Perry successfully completed the comprehensive training programme alongside students from Mobilkom Austria , Vodafone Ireland, O2 UK and Maroc Telecom.

Comprising four modules, the training programme is designed to help students develop the depth of knowledge and skill required to detect, investigate and effectively manage fraud. It recognises the diverse nature of telecommunications fraud, the international nature of the GSM Association and the differing levels of experience present amongst anti-fraud personnel. Each module consists of a three-day course culminating in a written examination.

"Fraud is a growing menace in all walks of life and telecommunications is not immune," said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA and Member of its Board. "'Telecommunications Fraud Specialists' certified by the GSMA will become recognised as valuable and professional contributors to any telecommunications fraud management team and to the global GSM family of operators fighting against fraud threats."

Steve Maher heads up Neural Technologies' team of fraud and business analysts. His main responsibility is to ensure customers' business targets are fulfilled and that their fraud/revenue losses are reduced to a minimum. Mike Perry works closely alongside Steve as a Senior Business Analyst with responsibility for continually improving the fraud detection capability of Nt's customers.

Both Steve (featured on the right in the photograph) and Mike (on the left) have worked extensively with many of Nt's key clients, including AT&T Wireless, Sprint, Nextel, GE Capital, Orange and VimpelCom, and are active members of both the GSM Association and the Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum (TUFF).

The GSM Association is the premier global body behind the world's leading wireless communications standard. It is responsible for the development, deployment and evolution of the GSM standard for digital wireless communications and for the promotion of the GSM platform. Members of the GSM Association Fraud Forum identified a requirement for training staff in fraud detection and investigation techniques, thus a training programme was established for the benefit of the Association's membership.