Socio-technical analysis of criminal systems examines how new technologies reshape opportunities for crime—and how those opportunities can be mitigated, prevented and, where possible, anticipated. Socio-technical fraud scripting and gap analysis provide structured methods for collecting, organising and systematising knowledge about current and emerging criminal opportunities.

Focus in SAFE

At SAFE, the socio-technical research focus is retail and digital banking fraud. The work:

• Analyses how communication platforms, payment infrastructures, authentication boundaries and governance arrangements create or constrain exposure to fraudulent transactions.
• Examines how institutional incentives, liability allocations and regulatory frameworks influence criminal opportunity structures.
• Constructs detailed socio-technical fraud scripts that represent real-world banking fraud scenarios.
• Identifies gaps in existing anti-fraud controls, especially where biometric systems fail or are bypassed.
• Proposes and strengthens technical and socio-organisational controls that use biometric solutions responsibly.
• Provides reusable frameworks that help banks assess emerging fraud threats proactively.

Focus-area lead

Stewart Kowalski