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New full and affiliate members Pierre Burger, Philip Prestage, Colin Przystupa, Roger Noakes, John Fleming and James Wheeler were presented with their membership certificates by Roy Sutherland, Chairman, at the recent Association of Security Consultants (ASC) quarterly Business Club Seminar held recently in St. James's, London.

New crackdown on cyber crime

11/05/06

vnunet.com carries a report by Daniel Thomas of Computing that the UK's new FBI-style crime fighting agency has unveiled plans to get tough on cyber crime.

The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) has announced a range of new measures to tackle online crime gangs, such as a science laboratory to research emerging technologies that criminals might exploit.

Soca absorbed the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) when it was created last month, and had been criticised for apparently diluting its e-crime focus. But the agency says it is looking to shut down organised crime gangs that use the internet for extortion, fraud, hacking and virus writing. It is also working with electronic payments firms and overseas law enforcement groups to target web sites trading stolen credit cards.

Criminals who design, sell or use malicious software ? such as viruses, keyloggers and phishing emails ? will also be tracked more fervently through joint operations involving Soca, the FBI and Russia's Department K computer crime unit.

'Our intention is to identify, disrupt and deter virtual crime groups that use the internet to attack UK victims, and we intend to seize the profits they make from the activities,' said Sharon Lemon, deputy director of e-crime in her first speech since the creation of Soca.

The former head of the NHTCU also says serious focus will be given to card-not-present fraud, which increased by 21 per cent, and cost the UK £183.2m, last year. Soca will work with retailers to alert them to new tactics used to hack into customer payment card databases.

'Attackers are focusing on ecommerce sites and payment processors. The weakness lies with the firms that hold this mass of data. Credit card fraud is the main market for online criminality now,' Lemon told delegates at a conference in London last week.

The e-crime division will also educate Soca officers tackling drug-trafficking and immigration about how computer forensics can be used to gather evidence from emails, the internet and computer devices. 'Criminals are using voice over IP and encryption to stop us finding them, but we need to get one step ahead,' said Lemon.

But Jim Norton, senior policy advisor for the Institute of Directors, says firms which were previously able to report attacks to the NHTCU now have to contact local police forces that are often ill-equipped to tackle such crimes.

Left to right: Laurie Doust (ASC Secretary), Keith Carey (Salto Systems), Ramesh Gurdev (Salto Systems), Roy Sutherland (ASC Chairman)

Left to right: Simon Lambert (ASC Member), Roy Sutherland (ASC Chairman), Kevin Quinn (Acting ASC Secretary).

Roy also welcomed back Laurie Doust, ASC Secretary, from his most recent journey and said that "if Laurie goes on any more cruises, we'll have to club together and buy him a boat!".

Salto Systems sponsored the event, with Keith Carey giving an introduction to the company. Keith then handed over the meeting to Ramesh Gurdev, whose presentation included available access control technologies and how to increase access security. Ramesh concluded by giving a fascinating insight into the future of access of control, including trends and solutions.

Robert Powell of Integrated Payment Solutions provided information about Smart Cards and how the applications can be integrated. He also gave details about campus and company wide solutions. Robert concluded with his thoughts about facts and fictions of the Mifare world which were of great interest to the capacity audience.

An insight into the role and charitable aims of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP) was given by Andrew Knights, Treasurer of the WCoSP.

Simon Lambert (ASC Member) gave an excellent and light hearted insight into the problems that can be faced when deciding what digital video recording systems to buy and install. His candid thoughts were well received by the audience.

Roy Sutherland brought the formal proceedings to a close by thanking all those who had provided the interesting presentations and to Salto Systems for sponsoring the event.

Roy reminded everyone that the next Business Club Seminar will be held on 9^th September 2010. He also mentioned that CONSEC, the ASC's annual international conference and exhibition, will be held on Thursday, 4 November 2010, at the RAF Museum at Hendon. He indicated that another exciting programme is being finalised for this year and that there are only a few spaces left for exhibitors.

Everyone then adjourned to the bar and to partake of a vast and delicious buffet luncheon, and to take the opportunity to chat with old friends and make new ones.

The ASC organises a number of prominent events during the year, which are of importance to both ASC members and others who are interested in security issues and technical innovations.

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Association of Security Consultants

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