Expert Witness : Criminal

Infosecurity Europe says better IT security education could have prevented the high-level SCADA water systems hack in the US

Commenting on reports that a SCADA-based water system in the US has been hacked by cybercriminals - apparently based in Russia - the organisers of the Infosecurity Europe show say this highlights the very real dangers that hackers now pose to everyone in society.

According to Claire Sellick, the show’s event director, the hack appears to stem from an incursion into the SCADA software vendor’s systems, raising the spectre of other water systems in the US – and elsewhere in the world – being vulnerable to attack.

A lawyer who represents phone-hacking victims is to sue News International for damages after it was revealed the News of the World hired private investigators to spy on him and another lawyer. But who regulates private investigators?

Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, provision was made for private investigators to be licensed.

The Act set up the Security Industry Authority which prioritised the licensing of bouncers and wheel clampers.

The ABI draws a distinction between its regulated members, who are professional investigators operating in the private sector and those individuals given the label of ‘private investigator’, who remain unaccountable and unregulated. The individuals highlighted by the current ‘phone hacking’ scandal are opportunists masquerading as investigators, and
are prepared to operate outside the confines of the law for commercial gain.

The ABI is calling on all serious professional investigators to publically demonstrate their integrity and commitment to professional standards, via ABI membership. The ABI is the only industry body to actively self regulate members, and to a standard higher than originally envisaged by the Government driven Security Industry Authority (SIA).

The Law Society has endorsed the Association of British Investigators as an organisation that “…offers solicitors peace of mind when choosing investigative service suppliers”.

According to a statement issued by the Law Sociaty on 7 May: “Recognising the extent to which the association has gone to protect members’ clients, including a large number from within the legal profession, the Law Society has granted the association its endorsement.