Mastering Digital Forensics

By Twila Lindblade/Huntsville Item Staff writer

Congress approved a $994,100 project on Monday that will help establish a Center of Excellence in digital forensic science at Sam Houston State University. The new center will help solve computer crimes and will be the first of its kind in Texas.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison requested the appropriations, and a bill was passed on Monday by the House of Representatives. The funds are part of the fiscal year 2004 budget, and the Senate will vote on the package in January and will send it to President Bush to finalize the deal.

Officials are confident the bill will be approved by the Senate, said Kevin Schweers, press secretary for Hutchison.

"We have a couple of more steps, but the House has approved it, and the senate should approve it in January," he said. "It's pretty much guaranteed. No changes can be made within the bill. It's just a question of timing."

Bush previously announced his support of the bill as well, Schweers said.

The Center of Excellence in digital forensic science will be a training ground and information center for SHSU faculty and students to help solve computer crimes. Digital forensics science is the discovery and analysis of digital evidence, said Peter Cooper, department chair of the SHSU computer science department, who will spearhead the planning and development of the center.

"It's using a collection of evidence for those who hack into computer systems, damage computer systems through viruses and worms, and it covers industrial espionage which reveals public information," he said.
The center will allow SHSU to use existing faculty, new faculty and students to become experts in the digital forensic science field.

"We hope to analyze evidence to catch criminals and develop new mechanisms to prevent this activity," Cooper said. "This will also be a wonderful experience for our students to gain skills and experience."

There is a high demand for digital forensic science experts throughout the U.S. and many Texas universities are looking at implementing such programs of study. However, SHSU will take the lead with the new Center of Excellence.

"We will be able to provide services to the local community and state to become the focal point for digital forensic science in the state," Cooper said.

Often, courts of law rely on digital forensic science experts to provide information for legal support. In the future, the SHSU center for excellence could assist courts in the same capacity.
"There is a high demand for it across the country," he said.

If the Center for Excellence is created, SHSU could add a digital forensic science degree program as well.
Planning preparations and hiring for the new center of excellence will begin in the spring, and officials hope the new center will be ready for operation in the fall of 2004. SHSU officials are unsure how many new employees it will hire or whether a new building will be created for it.

The Center for Excellence in digital forensic science was an idea adopted by Brian Chapman, dean of the SHSU College of Arts and Sciences. Chapman proposed the idea to Hutchison.

Hutchison and SHSU officials are pleased that it has been approved by the House of Representatives.
"These funds will advance Sam Houston's work as a pioneer in the field of law enforcement," Hutchison said. "I am pleased Congress supported my request to help ensure we have the resources and technology to bring criminals to justice."

Cooper agreed that the center will aid in bolstering criminal justice programs at the university.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for the university, faculty and students and will be a major step in improving the image of the university," he said.

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Twila Lindblade can also be reached at 936.295.5407 ext 3017.
SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Dec. 10, 2003
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