The HTCIA "High Technology Crime Investigation Association"

HTCIA-The High Technology Crime Investigation Association

The High Technology Crime Investigation Association or as known by the abbreviation HTCIA Inc., Roseville, CA, is devoted to digital forensics for investigation of crimes. Members of HTCIA Inc. are made up of a professional body of investigators, prosecutors and security professionals .The HTCIA is designed to promote, aid encourage and effect the voluntary interchange of data, experience, information, knowledge and IDeaS AbOUT processes, procedures, methods, and techniques relating to investigations and security in advanced technologies, and new technologies introduced into the field of forensic investigation for crime and the law. The HTCIA also promote uniformity in investigative methods, and develop matters of mutual interest It is also one of the most successful collaborative efforts between law enforcement and private industry working together. The HTCIA serve a common theme within each member state and internationally. This is to foster the growth in knowledge of investigation methods, processes and techniques amongst their Chapter’s within their own national capital region in the US and Internationally. The HTCIA hold annual conferences. The HTCIA are primarily intended for Computer forensic analysts, Cybercrime Investigators, Mobile forensic analysts, IT Security, Security Managers, CIOs, Lawyers, Prosecutors, Police Officers, Judiciary, and Incident Response specialists. Training opportunities do exist for law enforcement personnel, and investigative professionals. Which is seen today of paramount importance within the organization The HTCIA has local chapters that sponsor meetings. These meetings attract law enforcement as well as their public sector counterparts and academia. Generally, topics of current interest are presented, allowing members to obtain valuable knowledge. One of the clearest benefits of becoming a member is the ability of members to network &meet other investigators in similar fields. The ability to contact others who have faced the same problems is invaluable. It is today one of the most respected organizations for professional, in-service training of law officials interested in computers and their role in criminal activity. Some high profile members include Howard Schmidt,Matthew Blake and James Lance.

History

The HTCIA had its beginnings in the early 1980s when security managers in Silicon Valley saw the need for law enforcement investigators to understood the importance of investigation with high technology and computer crime. In 1984, the Santa Carla District Attorney, Leo Himmelsbach was approached by members of the Santa Carla County Industrial Security Managers Group. Including security manager at Intel and later Sun Microsystems John Callaghan, and Pete Kostner security manager at AMD, they discussed the need for having law enforcement officers trained in the field of high technology crime. This was seen as quiet visionary for its time. Mr. Himmelsbach then applied to the state of California and received a grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Planning Project approved by the California State Assembly, State Assembly Bill 1078 passed into law August 31, 1984, Penal Code Section 13970 (GrntProjSummry) called " SANTA CLARA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S HIGH TECHNOLOGY CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM" The HTCIA started as part of the 1985 OCJB grant “Project Objectives and Activities. The main objective at that time was to train San Francisco Bay area investigators and prosecutors in high-technology theft investigation. During that time, law enforcement officers from the Los Angeles area attended DATTA training and wanted to start their own organization in southern California. A second objective was then conceived “to establish a base that will provide the nucleus for the development of a regional high technology theft prevention effort”( OCJB Grant Contract Feb 1985). In 1990, the District Attorney’s Theft Technology Association of Santa Carla County affiliated with the other HTCIA chapters in existence in the Silicon Valley Chapter. Later private investigators were allowed to become members. The HTCIA now covers many areas throughout the United States, and has grown internationally.

HTCIA Core Values

HTCIA Core Values are defined as follows: I) The HTCIA values the Truth uncovered effective techniques used to uncover that Truth, and within digital information and the so wrongful convictions are avoided! II) The HTCIA values the security of their society and its citizens through the enforcement of our laws and the protection of our infrastructure and economies. III) The HTCIA values the ethical concept of its members and the evidence they expose through investigative procedures and computer forensic best practices including specialized techniques used to gather digital evidence. IV) The HTCIA values the trusted network of forensic and investigative professionals within private and public businesses including law enforcement who share our values and our vision. V) The HTCIA values the confidentiality of its membership and the information, skills and techniques they share within the association

Membership

I) Membership is open to prosecuting attorneys, and investigators engaged in the investigation of criminal activity associated with computers or technology. II) Senior security specialists, and managerial level professionals engaged in professions covering computers or advanced technology environments III) On October 2008, the international board of directors approved the bylaw provision creating the student membership. The purpose of this membership class is to promote and encourage the study of criminal investigations involving advanced technologies and security by the academic community. This would comprise of students studying in areas such as criminal justice, law enforcement computer science; forensics, corrections, accounting, a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)is established by the International Executive Committee (IEC). The IEC will establish general application procedures and requirements for Student Members which are not in conflict with these bylaws. Scholarship for Service (SFS) provides scholarships that fully fund the typical costs that students pay for books, tuition, and room and board while attending an approved institution of higher learning. The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) HTCIA is not affiliated with the SFS.

Case of the year award

Case of the year award The HTCIA also offer a case of the year award to recognize new technology or techniques which were expended to resolve the case. A synopsis of factors which must be used to evaluate the nominees are either the case was international, national, or regional in scope, it resolved a particularly violent offense & it established an important legal precedent

Training Example

Presentations may include discussing the benefits for using live computer forensic investigation techniques, and outline the situations where these techniques may be most appropriate; an example would be the ability to capture encryption passwords. Members or attendees would be introduced to the components of a live computer forensic investigation, shown tools for identifying the machine state to help mitigate the “trojan defense”