Africa’s rapid adoption of mobile money is reshaping the digital economy, expanding financial inclusion while introducing new security and compliance challenges. This article explores the role of PCI DSS in cloud environments, fintech innovation across Africa, and how artificial intelligence is transforming fraud detection, customer experience, and trust in digital payment ecosystems.

This briefing examines Version 2 of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Statutory Code of Practice through the lens of the digital forensics practitioner. It explains why the Code exists, outlines key changes from Version 1, and critically analyses the requirements that directly affect digital investigations, evidential integrity, quality management, and courtroom admissibility.

Quantum computing is accelerating toward capabilities that could break today’s cryptographic foundations. This briefing examines quantum cryptography, post-quantum cryptography, timelines, societal impacts, and profound implications for digital investigations. It provides strategic recommendations for CISOs, investigators and policymakers navigating the transition to a quantum-resilient future.

Issue 56 examines practical challenges facing digital-forensics practitioners, including expanding cloud attack surfaces, emerging EU governance for space systems, and the regulatory maturation reflected in NIS2. It further evaluates applied HUMINT–OSINT intelligence models for financial-fraud disruption, the operational value of standardisation in evidential reliability, and structured, legally resilient approaches to transnational fraudulent-website removal within contemporary investigative and organisational contexts today.

The UK’s proposed national digital ID scheme represents a major shift in identity assurance, with significant implications for security, privacy, digital inclusion and investigative practice. Costed at £1.8bn, the system will integrate with GOV.UK One Login and Wallet, offering stronger identity verification while introducing new risks, legal complexities and cybersecurity challenges requiring careful governance and oversight.