Online Security, a global provider of computer forensics and information technology risk mitigation since 1997   Secret Service and the Electronic Crimes Task Force Define Rules for Engagement in Fighting Electronic Crime LOS ANGELES, CA, February 10, 2003 - The United States Secret Service and the Electronic Crimes Task Force in Los Angeles initiate a crime-fighting alliance with the Los Angeles area business community, local academic institutions and other law enforcement agencies. The Electronic Crimes Task Force is comprised of the FBI, LAPD, LA County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles District Attorney, ATF, U.S. Attorney, the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies. Nearly all electronic crimes perpetrated on local businesses go unreported, largely out of fear of being overrun by law enforcement and a desire to keep news of such incidents quiet. More companies are employing technology to reduce cost and create competitive advantages. This increased use of technology gives rise to increasing espionage, fraud, data pirating and the need for disaster recovery planning. More than half of all information security breaches originate from within the enterprise and, prior to September 11th, most enterprises had little in the way of business continuity plans in place. It is now obvious that reasonable prudence requires protection against external breaches - the wily hacker, cyber-criminal, terrorist or industrial espionage agent. In addition, threats arise within organizations from such trusted sources as employees, consultants and contract workers intent on diverting funds, research and development breakthroughs, other intellectual property, and sensitive and private corporate information. Fighting electronic crimes with law enforcement is also important, because, as Frank Abagnale, Kevin Mitnick and nearly all other security experts frequently say, no prevention is failsafe. For example, between 60% and 90% of all business experienced some form of unauthorized traffic on their networks in the last twelve months, despite widespread deployment of today’s security technology, firewalls, private networks, log-in procedures, etc. Raising consciousness about vulnerability to electronic crimes is important and, with the threat increasing every day, more preventative measures are needed. However, the Electronic Crimes Task Force aims for much more. The Task Force has called an open meeting with the LA business community and academia to define the rules for engagement between a company that is victimized and the law enforcement agencies seeking to solve the crime. These rules for engagement are important to business owners and operators who do not want the double whammy of being victimized by a crime and then having their operations curtailed for the needs of the investigation. Many businesses cannot withstand that kind of compound disruption and loss. On the agenda is the discussion of other models of cooperation between law enforcement, academia and the private sector. One model that is an alternative to the incident-response model is the “security pipeline” model between potential victims and law enforcement agencies. This model provides direct access to the victim’s data that is detected and flagged using fraud-detecting software based on customized business rules. Approximately 350 members of the business community and academia are expected to attend the crime-fighting meeting to be held at Loyola Marymount University, Hilton Center for Business on March 28, 2003, 7:30 am until noon. Admission and parking are free. Continental breakfast will be provided. The meeting will provide presentations by experts and panel discussions with thought leaders, representing business owners, private security firms, computer security organizations, financial institutions and the Secret Service, FBI, LAPD, Los Angeles District Attorney and other law enforcement agencies. Assemblyman Joe Simitian, author of the legislation requiring disclosure of a breach of consumer databases, will deliver the keynote address. People who want to attend the meeting can contact: Ruth Payne, Secret Service, at 213 533 4690, rapayne@usss.treas.gov 213-533-4690, or Noni Mertz, Tatum CIO Partners, at: 213-996-8535, noni.mertz@tatumcio.com. Dr. Joel Rakow, Tatum CIO Partners, eCrimes Practice Director, is assisting the LAECTF in hosting and organizing this first conference in 2003. Tatum CIO, is a partnership of nearly 100 former Chief Information Officers for such world-class organizations as Disney, Hilton Hotels, Mattel, Twentieth Century Fox, the CIA, CBS, RJR Nabisco, and others. Dr. Rakow can be contacted by parties interested in the meeting program, potential sponsors, and business owners with specific concerns regarding electronic crime at: joel.rakow@tatumcio