I'm a computer/network security professional, as well as a network engineer. My day job is building networks, but in the past, for extra dough, I used to do computer and network forensics. (Basically figuring out who hacked into a network or computer, or who deleted what and when, that kind of thing)
I'm reading one of my computer security and design e-mails, and I am greeted with what's below.
Readers Digest version: There's a good chance I need to get a P.I. license to start doing this again, or risk comitting a felony.
Any experienced investigators know of a good way for me to get an appropriate license, so I could start this kind of work independantly again. the extra money would be wonderful, if the expense to start up again isn't extreme.
RISKS Forum wrote:
A new Georgia law aimed at private investigators now ``extends to computer
forensics and computer incident response, meaning that forensics experts who
testify in court without a PI license may be committing a felony''. The
``law requires all private investigators in the State of Georgia to be
licensed'', and is ``intended to prevent people from simply opening up shop
and claiming to be PIs.'' However, the ``problem lies in both the
definition and interpretation of what services can only be offered by a
licensed PI, and how that extends into the electronic world.'' Forensic
experts, by definition help individuals and business owners to find, the
`cause and responsibility for ... losses and damage to ... property'', which
is exactly how the law describes the duties of private investigators,
meaning that under the new law forensic experts would be committing a felony
in the course of their usual trade. Other states will similar laws include
California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Texas, Delaware, and New York. An
exception allowing attorneys, and those working directly under, as well as
any in- house experts a business may have, provides protection for some.