Bridges for Information Sharing between Industries
In the recent years, we have seen the effort and collaboration between different law enforcement agencies, security agencies, experts in the field of cyber security and digital computer forensics, Web industry as well as individuals, to deter and bring to an end various threats on our internet and network securities. Their effort has lead to many positive results and one of them is putting cyber criminals behind bars.
Our law enforcement agencies may have good relations and collaborations with other country against cybercrime, but we all know that it is not enough. Security industries, researchers and other groups that hold plenty of information about cybercrime is a crucial piece that could spell the difference between a successful cybercrime investigation or not. It is not all about collaboration between policemen and secret agents, but it is also in collaboration with researchers, engineers and IT experts.
Collaboration between law enforcement and security experts is an on-going relationship and it can be successful or not. However, the best way to make a fruitful relationship between the industry and law enforcement is to share intelligence and information. Indeed, there are no returns for the security agencies if they provide information because law enforcement are forbidden to do so, particularly if they are doing an on-going investigation. In fact, these industries do not seek any gain because they know it is the right thing to do.
But the sad reality is that, most organization, security industries as well as researchers have limited resources, particularly time. That time is most of the time devoted to giving the best services for their clients and users. In fact, research with low value gets lower priority and the research that provides better value gets more. But these low priority researches could have great value to any law enforcement agency. Example a research about criminal activities will be of no interest to their customers, but it could be helpful to computer forensics in law enforcement; however, there are cases when these researches will receive no acknowledgement from law enforcement agencies around the globe.
Another factor to have successful relationships between the industry and law enforcement is the level of the openness as well as the communication within the agency. The levels of communication, openness of the contact could change, but it all depends on the results and findings on the investigation that is going on. Even if security agencies, were able to have and open communication channel or line with a certain law enforcement group; it is difficult to establish a good communication within the agency because it is hard to pinpoint whom you should talk to due to the fact that each agency are complex. In fact, the contact has control whether he will continue with the relationship or not, but it may be worthwhile to have a contact who is tasked in building relationships with the security industry as well as the public sector.
Between the security industry and also law enforcement, it is an important task for both sides to strengthen their relationships. The industry in cyber security must be able to uncover highly important, valuable as well as relevant information regarding cybercrime and that information could be used in arresting cybercriminals. It is not only for the best interest of the two parties to work hand-in-hand against cyber crime, but it is also in the best interest in the public they serve.
Just like any other working relationships, communication is important. One way to ensure better communication between each party is having conferences together where computer forensic course are offered. However, since law enforcement agencies are limited on what they can share in conferences because they are conducting an on-going investigation or going after suspects, security experts, industry leaders and researchers must be able to understand that fact.
As laws are slowly changing just to adapt with the changing times and just to quicken the pace of investigations on cybercrimes, the same should also happen in the security industry. So that together, both sides can work together and have better communication in order to provide a more effective plan against cybercrime and the minds behind them.
The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) is a member-based organization that certifies individuals in cybersecurity and e-commerce. It is the owner and developer of 20 security certifications. EC-Council has trained over 90,000 security professionals and certified more than 40,000 members. These certifications are recognized worldwide and have received endorsements from various government agencies. They also offer trainings in computer forensics.
More information about EC-Council is available at http://www.eccouncil.org.
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