1. Promoting Professionalism in Computer Forensics – who should Accredit ? Alastair Irons Northumbria University

2. Objectives To consider the issue of professionalism in computer forensics programmes Embed in the curriculum Accreditation of programmes Certification of practitioners

3. Context for Professionalism in Computer Forensics Computer forensics is a new discipline No defined curriculum for university programmes or for professional accreditation Principles of forensic science have been in public domain for over 100 years Computer forensics does not yet have a central body which will only admit members when they have reached a certain skill level – although register of practitioners in CRFP is potentially moving in this direction There is no disciplinary board which can stop practitioners from practising There is no accepted framework for ethical principles or professional standards

4. Certification and Licence to Practice Should computer forensics practitioners be certified or accredited through a licence to practice? –What does accreditation mean ? –Who would benefit from certification ? What would be the impact of a statutory computer forensics licence What is the role of experience ? Should an accrediting body have power of licence ? Series of specialisms ? –Operating system based ? Network differences ?

5. Accreditation - who should accredit ? Existing computing professional bodies –British Computer Society (BCS), Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) –Development of register of practitioners ? Forensic science professional bodies –Council for Registration of Forensics Practitioners (digital evidence practitioners) Computer forensics body –International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) –High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) –Institute for Computer Forensic Practitioners (ICFP)

6. Accreditation - Pragmatics What to accredit ? –University courses –Curriculum expectations / benchmark –Computer forensics modules as part of portfolio ? –Training courses –Practice How to accredit ? –Review –Professional exam –Portfolio –Ongoing evidence of CPD

7. Summary Professionalism is a key issue in placing computer forensics Opportunity to enhance university programmes by having them accredited Need to decide as a community who should accredit and work with accrediting bodies to develop process Development of certification opportunities