EnCase passport

My experience with the EnCase passport is that it is useful for the entry-level courses but, in the UK, they run the expert courses so infrequently that, when you factor in that we have commitments in our day jobs, the curriculum is a severely limiting factor. Remember that there are pre-requisites for their expert courses which inevitably means that the windows of opportunity will be squeezed further. They will not offer expert courses via OnDemand nor will they provide the manuals for self-study.

Guidance also react with total indifference to this valid concern.

The training and material is of reasonable quality.

I would recommend more vendor-independent training in any event, e.g. SANS, CCE, etc. This has been covered in many discussion threads previously.

I will be starting at the entry level and would probably start with Computer Forensics I

Be careful with the passport. Unless you live near one of the Passport training facilities, you will have to travel.

The Passport is not good at all locations…

They will not offer expert courses via OnDemand

The following URL provides information relating to the EnCase Passport

http//www.guidancesoftware.com/computer-forensics-training-annual-training-passport.htm

Also the following link provides reference in relation to the OnDemand

http//www.encaseondemand.com/

You will make note that the expert series course "EnCase Advance Internet Examinations" is available OnDemand.

Regards

I live about 48 miles from the training facility so driving is an option or the local Travelodge hotel is £29 a night.

I'm fairly sure I want to do the courses using the passport. I was looking for more experienced peoples point of view and opinions mainly to help justify to myself paying £4k+.

I have recently spoken to someone at Guidance Software and was told you only get 1 on demand course with the passport which you can choose and you can do as many training courses as you want in the 12 months.

Thanks.

You will make note that the expert series course "EnCase Advance Internet Examinations" is available OnDemand.

That's 1 out of 5 then. You'll excuse me while I don't burst into spontaneous applause.

Fab4, not a fan of Guidance Software's current training setup then! P

It's fuelled more by their complete indifference to suggestions made/concerns raised by their paying customers.

They won't even enter into a meaningful dialogue for fear that they may have to accept that, in relation to the frequency and accessibility of the *majority* of their expert courses in the UK, their curriculum is a limiting factor to employers (customers) maximising their return on training investments.

It is a fact that Judges are not keen on suggestions that his/her case should be delayed because the EW needs to attend training that week because it's the only meaningful time in a passport's duration that the course is being run.

It is a fact that, a prior commitment that your employer deems more vital to their operation than your personal training requirements may clash with the only meaningful time in a passport's duration that the course is being run.

Etc etc.

I've got much from each training interaction with Guidance but their reticence to have meaningful dialogue with a customer reflects badly on their senior management.

I simply believe that they should have a more extrinsic view of their expert customers and consider the accessibility of their expert courses to the same degree that they do with their entry level courses. It is my opinion that they should expand and relax their OnDemand criteria.

I am placing this into the public domain to allow those who are considering making such an investment to think beyond the upfront sales promise.

It's fuelled more by their complete indifference to suggestions made/concerns raised by their paying customers.

I largely agree with Fab4. Although I'd say the training I've been on with Guidance has been excellent, and my support enqurires have been met very well, but sometimes the mask slips and you see what large companies are really about. Here's a snippet of an email exchange I had with Guidance a few years back regarding my request to transfer an EnCase license

Original Message—–
From Buckland, James
Sent Monday, July 23, 2007 651 AM
To Customer Service
Subject FW EnCase query - advise needed-DC

Hi folks,

Please could you take a look at the email scenario below and advise on our position in this circumstance and let the customer know.

(Bare in mind I really don’t want to spend time on this from a sales point of view as there is little or no sales involvement!)

Many thanks

James

James Buckland

EMEA INSIDE SALES SUPERVISOR

Office 0044 1753 552 252 x9001
Fax 0044 1753 552 232
Mobile 0044 7887 761312

The World Leader in Digital Investigations™

www.guidancesoftware.com

From Edge, Julie
Sent 19 July 2007 1052
To Buckland, James
Subject FW EnCase query

James,

Can you help Jonathan with this?

Thank you

Kind Regards,
Julie
Julie Edge
Training Coordinator

Guidance Software
Thames Central, 5th Floor, Hatfield Road, Slough, Berkshire SL1 1QE
P (+44) 01753 552 252 ext 9024 ÷ F (+44) 01753 526 736
julie.edge@guidancesoftware.com÷ www.guidancesoftware.com

The World Leader in Digital Investigations™