The tactics of whistle blower hotlines are simple - provide professionals a confidential manner to report complaints. Sarbanes-Oxley provided the impetus for organizations to take a closer look at their complaint reporting process. Now, 12 years after the original Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, hotlines are considered one of the essential tools for organizations to appropriately manage compliance programs.

The effectiveness of hotlines can vary depending on how it is managed and administered. In addition, management's attention and response to hotline calls is an important aspect of maintaining an effective and positive control environment. The Audit Committee of public companies is responsible for ensuring a confidential and effective complaint reporting process and should fully understand processes as well as information that come through the hotlines.

In the advent of new regulation which allows whistleblowers to go outside internal lines of defense to report misdoings, companies should be strategically aware of their programs and the effectiveness and perceptions of their programs. Audit Committees, senior management and all professionals should understand the important implications of hotlines.