http://www.osopinion.com/perl/story/15060.html By Robyn Weisman www.NewsFactor.com, Part of the NewsFactor Network November 30, 2001 The DoD's Computer Investigations Training Program offered its first class, Introduction to Computer Search and Seizure, in September 1998. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is awarding a contract worth US$86.9 million to train cybercrime fighters. According to news sources, the DoD announced that the contract will go to Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), an El Segundo, California-based firm with over 68,000 employees and revenue for its last fiscal year of $11.1 billion. Computer Sciences will use the money to assist the DoD's Computer Investigations Training Program (DCITP), instructing various agencies in the best methods for combating computer-based crime and for maintaining the security of defense-related computer networks from counterintelligence and other incursions. Agencies whose operatives receive training under DCITP include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Army Criminal Investigations Division, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Defense Computer Forensics Lab, the Defense Criminal Investigative Services and the 902nd Military Intelligence Group. Huge Increase French Caldwell, research director for the project of technology and public policy at Gartner, said the contract was a milestone in cybercrime-fighting policy. "[$86.9 million] is an extraordinary contract," Caldwell told NewsFactor Network. "It represents at least a 50 percent increase in annual global spending." Until now, the total worldwide budget across all nations for cybercrime investigations has not exceeded $20 million annually, Caldwell told NewsFactor. "Approximately one-half of global law enforcement expenditures aimed specifically at investigating computer crime is spent in the United States," added Caldwell. "Most national governments spend negligible amounts preparing for the cybercrime threat." Caldwell went on to say that there has been serious underfunding of cybercrime competencies in government and noted that prosecutors need to be trained in this area just as much as investigators do. Valuable Training CSC received the task order through the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Technology Service's Millennia agreement. GSA officials told news sources that the training operatives will receive through DCITP will be invaluable to homeland defense, in particular. The program already offers numerous classes, such as "Introduction to Networks and Computer Hardware," "Basic Forensics Examinations," and "Incident Response in a Network Environment," and has strict requirements for passing the courses. DCITP offered its first class, "Introduction to Computer Search and Seizure," in September 1998 and opened a training facility a year later, although students may also take courses online. Clinton Initiative DCITP has already trained almost 1,500 agents connected with DoD law enforcement. The courses run from two days to six weeks. In February 1998, the Defense Reform Initiative Directive launched DCITP, along with the Defense Computer Forensics Laboratory. In May 1998, then-President Bill Clinton issued a directive requiring federal agencies to collaborate with the private sector in order to safeguard critical infrastructure. - ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org To unsubscribe email majordomoat_private with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY of the mail.
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