U.S. Awards $86.9M Cybercrime Training Contract

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

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 majordomo () attrition org with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY
of the mail.