The U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) unit is cracking down on white-collar crime. To achieve this, the DOJ has recommended that companies incorporate data analytics to strengthen their compliance programs. Companies that heed this advice should implement a strong data analytics function, identify key risks and look to mitigate them.

This article explains the DOJ's recent emphasis on robust data analytics in anti-corruption compliance programs, outlines how data analytics can and should be used in these programs, and suggests an approach to help legal counsel and companies determine if corporate programs will pass muster with the DOJ.