Improving Awareness of Computer Forensics Service

by: jameswalsh
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Word Count: 574

Awareness of Computer Forensics among Individuals and Businesses

Awareness of the existence of sophisticated criminals spying into our computer is not yet a generally understood or even known fact among the home users. We have come across a virus so often while working at the pc. While wiping it off with the anti-virus almost none of the home users click on the ‘report it’ option. As a result, the anti-virus developers are being bereft of important updates through the lack of public responsibility.

The picture is equally dismal among businesses, perhaps even more so. If we pick up the knife left behind by the assassin to see how it looks like, the police will not be able to obtain finger prints. There are ‘sniffer dog’ software like digital finger printing, brushing for evidence, setting traps for intruders, encryption and decoding, and several other such options. These are necessary for gathering the evidence in an un-tampered condition, so that analysis would be possible. It has to be remembered that if the evidence has not been preserved properly, the court will not accept the inferences drawn from it.

The forensics industry and the Government of the UK had conducted a joint initiative called ‘Get Safe Online’ to provide security awareness and advice to users. Respondents acknowledged in general that computer security should be a matter of high priority, but more than 50% admitted having no knowledge of safe practices. 75% claimed having a firewall installed, but 86% did not care to update their security software once they had put it into their computers.

More public-oriented initiatives, needless to say, are needed if this situation is to be rectified.

Corporate In-house Problems

One of the greatest threats posed to a corporate house today comes from its own employees. An ambitious employee will steal data in order to prepare for his or her own business start-up. Those who are looking for a job change will steal data to pass it on to the new master. And those who are offended or dissatisfied by their company will tamper data out of a revenge motive. Employers often have a suspicion that something fishy is afoot, but do not know how to catch the culprit.

A typical businessman, unfortunately enough, does not think of calling up computer forensics professionals until heavy damage is done. To combat this, the forensic industry needs to spread awareness about itself. It needs to discuss its services in simple jargon-free English in various sites, blogs etc. A few well-placed print and audio-visual ads (television and internet) would not do much harm. How are they expected to get customers who have no idea about what they do? The uses of computer forensics need to be illustrated with examples so that a client may identify his or her needs with services offered.

Objections to Using Forensics Services and Counter Points

There are some typical objections raised by businesses when it comes to hiring forensics services.

1) What if they turn out to be data thieves themselves?
2) How does one know that they aren’t working for a rival?
3) They would charge astronomically high

The first two cases will not happen if one is careful about the choice in the first place. For this, one should bank on recommendations about the company, and check its credentials thoroughly. As for money, there are really competitive prices available in the market. Besides, isn’t it foolish to withhold a few hundred pounds for security today, so that the loss does not run into millions tomorrow?

About the Author

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. For more information on computer crime and Computer Forensics see http://www.fieldsassociates.co.uk

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