I think we need to define 'start' as mentioned above.
I think we also need to exclude the early odd case unless we are discussing the very first case, rather than when forensics became main stream. (interesting though so perhaps a subject for another thread)
In the UK
For software/hardware
In the UK Dr Solly was prob first to the market with the FlightServer - although DIBs (jim Bates) was also around then and *may* have been out first - this was about 95 (I was working on the FlightServer in about 94/95).
Before the Vogon Forensic Suite I managed the development of the GenX, GenTree and LDi suite (part of the FlightServer solution, so in use by mainly LE (but a few commercials inc Novell) so in general use in about 95) - this used to image to disks rather than tapes (this was pre the AuthenTec/Vogon merge) although we merged and soon after went down the CD imager route - hated that kit (clever but doomed to be every playing catch up). Soon after the merger I went to run the Munich data recovery office and ceased having any day to day input of the software development (hmorgan above worked on some of this when we were still AuthenTec)
For services
I started with Solly in early 93 and was brought in to do Forensics, at the time there was only one chap in the office doing this stuff (cantankerous old git ) Peter Moreley) I seemed to have a bit of a flair for it and took over the dept. We were doing forensic work for a lot of the UK police forces, IR, SFO, Customs etc. on almost a full time basis by the end of 93.
I first started hearing about Gordon Stephenson (Vogon) and tapes in about '94 although they may also have been at it for longer than that. Sadly he is not around to ask.
Dr Solomons Data Recovery (and forensics) dept. became AuthenTec in about 97 and Merged with Vogon in about 98
I knew this would be an interesting thread to follow.
In my earlier post I indicated that I started forensicating in 1997, with Vogon version 3, to amplify this I was tasked with 'investigating' from 1995 - this being the first time that my Force was unable to bat off the crime complaint and had to actually deal with a computer crime (not too bad considering the Act itself was dated 1990 being the Computer Misuse Act).
My initial investigations involved interviewing witnesses and getting them to produce the evidence - it was 1997 before I became involved in actually analysing computers. So forensics to me means the analysis of computers using sound processes and techniques - is this a fair definition? Does is help frame the question more clearly?
Incidentally I have always understood that Vogon, which had been a data recovery business became a forensic business as a result of collaboration with HM Customs and Excise, is this correct or an urban myth? I ask of interest not out of need.
Regards
I knew this would be an interesting thread to follow.
In my earlier post I indicated that I started forensicating in 1997, with Vogon version 3, to amplify this I was tasked with 'investigating' from 1995 - this being the first time that my Force was unable to bat off the crime complaint and had to actually deal with a computer crime (not too bad considering the Act itself was dated 1990 being the Computer Misuse Act).
My initial investigations involved interviewing witnesses and getting them to produce the evidence - it was 1997 before I became involved in actually analysing computers. So forensics to me means the analysis of computers using sound processes and techniques - is this a fair definition? Does is help frame the question more clearly?
Incidentally I have always understood that Vogon, which had been a data recovery business became a forensic business as a result of collaboration with HM Customs and Excise, is this correct or an urban myth? I ask of interest not out of need.
Regards
Vogon were a tape recovery business that took over Authentecs data recovery business.
Authentec being the data recovery part of Dr Solomons that NAI didnt buy.
A few HMCE people joined Vogon and set up the forensic services side.
Wouldn't have called it a collaboration…
The software was and ongoing thing, started in Dr Sollys and continued development through the Authentec days (where the lovely box was created) to finally become the VFS.
Hugh I think you are wrong on all counts there )
AuthenTec was around for quite a while before the NAI buyout and was hived off in order to look for buyers as it never really sat well with AV (again another thread)
Vogon were doing forensics on an adhoc basis well before any HMCE chaps joined and well before the merger, Gordon had been writing software to deal with Customs custom problems ) from the mid to early 90's. I think that this is what steve is referring to. Vogon had no forensic services side until they joined with AuthenTec - just Richard doing the odd tape supported by Mark and Steve who mainly did tape DR. As part of the merger (official line - although AuthenTec was the junior partner - mainly because Alan wanted out) I visited Vogons offices nr Bracknell (if memory serves) on a few occasions. It was made clear that Vogon wanted disk expertise AND forensic services from the merger. At that time AuthenTec had a well developed forensic services offering - remember the 'secure' room in Gatehouse way?
Again, the lovely box was created in the AuthenTec days - you should remember that it was also at Gatehouse Way (you were working on it there) before the move to Bicester and then the merge with Vogon.
Hugh I think you are wrong on all counts there )
AuthenTec was around for quite a while before the NAI buyout and was hived off in order to look for buyers as it never really sat well with AV (again another thread)
Vogon were doing forensics on an adhoc basis well before any HMCE chaps joined and well before the merger, Gordon had been writing software to deal with Customs custom problems ) from the mid to early 90's. I think that this is what steve is referring to. Vogon had no forensic services side until they joined with AuthenTec - just Richard doing the odd tape supported by Mark and Steve who mainly did tape DR. As part of the merger (official line - although AuthenTec was the junior partner - mainly because Alan wanted out) I visited Vogons offices nr Bracknell (if memory serves) on a few occasions. It was made clear that Vogon wanted disk expertise AND forensic services from the merger. At that time AuthenTec had a well developed forensic services offering - remember the 'secure' room in Gatehouse way?
Again, the lovely box was created in the AuthenTec days - you should remember that it was also at Gatehouse Way (you were working on it there) before the move to Bicester and then the merge with Vogon.
I spelled Authentec right didnt I ?
and the box was lovely.
very shiny.
I spelled Authentec right didnt I ?
No the last T was a capital - AuthenTec )