One of the spin-offs from the emerging e-commerce industry is the investigation of those involved in any new e-commerce company.

Paul Field of Caribbean Investigative Network (CIN) revealed that his business in the area of due diligence had increased significantly as a result of the new technology.

"With the emergence of e-commerce, the necessity to find out just who you are doing business with has become very important,'' he said. "We get a lot of requests for this type of work.'' The new work has also caused the 14-year-old company to venture further out into the world.

"We now truly operate worldwide and have dealt with countries as far afield as Kazakhstan and other former Eastern block countries, Afghanistan as well as Japan and Hong Kong, doing due diligence,'' he said.

The volume of work CIN is now doing, has been so enormous that Mr. Field has incorporated it as a separate company.

CIN was a division of Safeguard Security Ltd. up until the beginning of the month when a restructuring of Safeguard took place.

On August 1, two of Bermuda's leading security service firms joined forces creating Safeguard International Security Ltd.

A deal was struck between Carlton Crockwell, head of International Security Investigation (ISI), and Safeguard Security Ltd. to merge.

"We have been able to absorb all the staff without any terminations,'' said Mr. Field, who is chairman of the newly formed company.

"It's good for mergers when everyone can be kept on,'' said Safeguard chief executive officer Carlton Crockwell, "and we were very concerned about our employees and keeping them happy. It wasn't all about what is best financially for the company,'' he added.

Continued on page 22 Safeguard sees business boom Continued from page 19 The new company has just over 200 employees with most working as security guards.

"We have about 170 security guards,'' said Mr. Field "and about 220 clients.'' Safeguard International Security Ltd. offers a complete range of physical security to Bermuda clients including security guards, store detectives, cash escorts and property supervision.

"We have enhanced our performance and service to our clients and the feedback we are getting is that they are pleased with the results,'' said Mr.

Crockwell.

Safeguard International Security Ltd. also operates Safeguard Fire Extinguishing Ltd. and maintains a minority holding in Bermuda Alarm Company Ltd..

"We reviewed the companies and looked at how they fit in the 21st century,'' said Mr. Crockwell.

"Mr. Field, who is our chairman, wrote the vision and we are here to fulfil the vision that makes us number one on the Island,'' he added.

"People keep asking me if I am retiring,'' said Mr. Field, "but I am not, I will take a very active role in the companies at least for another four to five years.

"With Mr. Crockwell, we've just got some new younger blood in and that is good,'' he added.