ISO 37001

ISO 37001

ISO 37001 is the standard that certifies that an organization has adequate procedures in place to prevent corruption and bribery (anti-bribery management system). This is highly relevant for organizations operating in activities or jurisdictions perceived as high-risk for corruption.

To highlight the significance of this standard, consider the notorious case of Odebrecht, which revealed the devastating impact that widespread bribery of public officials can have on a company.

Since corruption, especially bribery, is often "off the books" and leaves no trace in financial records, a whistleblower hotline becomes a fundamental pillar of an Anti-Bribery Management System, which is what ISO 37001 certifies through an audit.

In fact, according to statistics from the ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners), almost 50% of fraud cases are initially detected through whistleblowing, rather than through internal and external audits. This percentage increases significantly in cases of bribery and corruption.

Other crucial elements include:

• The existence of a Code of Conduct signed by personnel at all levels and known to business counterparts (customers and suppliers).
• Regular monitoring of operations.
• The existence of an Ethics Committee within the organization for handling, investigating, and sanctioning irregularities.

Regarding the services provided by Shogun as a leading product in whistleblowing, its distinctive feature is that it is a completely digital tool, which:

Facilitates whistleblowers' submission of supporting documentation for their reports, such as videos, recordings, or footage.

Ensures the confidentiality and anonymity of whistleblowers and provides interaction with investigators, crucial for handling a high volume of reports and conducting effective investigations.

Facilitates data mining necessary to prioritize received reports in relation to other information received before and after, such as monitoring and auditing data.

Author: Guillermo Casal
International consultant and trainer in fraud prevention and investigation and anti-money laundering. He is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a Master's degree in Economics and Administration, and has six international certifications, including the CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), and CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).