Guidance Software, along with AccessData, today announced the winner and finalists of the second annual Timothy Fidel Memorial Award. The honor recognizes excellence in the field of computer forensics, and is presented in memory of Timothy Fidel, a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service who was best known for his tireless efforts to modernize computer forensic standards. The winner of the 2006 Timothy Fidel Memorial Award is retired Special Agent Brent Pack, honored for his work on the Abu Ghraib Detainee Facility investigation as lead forensic examiner with the Computer Crime Investigative Unit of the US Army Criminal Investigation Command…Using Guidance’s EnCase® software as his primary tool, Pack reviewed several terabytes of data, including digital photographs, documents and emails, to create a timeline of alleged abuse events at the prison. This timeline was compiled into a visual catalog and presentation, which created an accurate and easily comprehensible display of the alleged individual incidents that took place. The report and timeline were adopted by the Jones/Fay Commission for inclusion in their report to Congress, and have been critical to the 100 percent conviction rate for the four contested prosecutions that have taken place since the Army’s special agents opened their investigation in 2004.
Pack will receive the award in-person during a ceremony at the Computer Enterprise and Investigation Conference (CEIC(TM)) in Lake Las Vegas, taking place May 3-6, 2006.
As the Fidel Award winner, a $10,000 donation has been made in his name to his charity of choice. Pack has selected the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children whose mission is to help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation; help find missing children; and assist victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
“Brent Pack’s investigation into the events at Abu Ghraib embodies the principles of modern computer forensics with his ability to accurately collect, condense, analyze and present relevant information in a politically charged environment,” said John Colbert, CEO of Guidance Software. “Tim Fidel paved the road for investigators to use the innovative tools and techniques we rely upon today, and successful cases such as Brent’s showcase the immense effect that he had.”
The elite list of finalists for the 2006 Timothy Fidel Memorial Award include: Jimmy Weg, CFCE, Agent in Charge of the Computer Crime Unit of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation; SSA Glenn Watson from the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Portland, Oregon; Karl Dunnagan, Deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Detective Larry Core of Maricopa County and the Arizona Attorney’s Office, Special Investigations Bureau; and Detective Chad Munroe of the Syracuse, New York Police Department.
The finalists and winner were chosen by the Timothy Fidel Memorial Award Committee which consists of a wide range of leaders in computer forensics, including: LAPD Detective Terry Willis, Secret Service Supervisor Keith Hoover, EPA Assistant Special Agent in Charge William Fortuno, Hewlett-Packard IT Security Investigator Mike Menz and Army CID Special Agent Frank Spruill. The individuals serving on the Committee were selected for their knowledge, experience and expertise in the field of computer forensics.
Timothy Fidel passed away on Oct. 29, 2004 at the age of 50. Fidel was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division. He was a major participant in the design of the Secret Service’s Electronic Crimes Special Agents Program, and he was a certified computer forensic examiner, as well as a respected member of the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists. Fidel’s last post of duty with the Secret Service was with the Ronald Regan Protective Division for then-retired President Ronald Reagan and former first lady Nancy Reagan.
For more information about CEIC 2006 or the Timothy Fidel award, please visit: www.CEIC2006.com.
About Guidance Software:
Founded in 1997, Guidance Software is recognized worldwide as the industry leader in investigative technologies. Its EnCase® solutions provide the foundation for both law enforcement and corporate enterprise investigations that enable corporate, government and law enforcement agencies to conduct effective investigations of all types, respond promptly to eDiscovery requests, and take decisive action in response to external attacks, all while maintaining the forensic integrity of the data. More than 20,000 investigators depend on EnCase software, and nearly 4,000 investigators attend Guidance Software’s forensic methodology training annually. Validated by numerous courts worldwide, EnCase is also frequently honored with top security awards from eWeek, SC Magazine, Network Computing and others.
About AccessData:
AccessData Corporation, a pioneer in the forensic computing industry, provides the tools and training to empower examiners at the local, state, and federal levels as well as corporations to perform thorough investigations with speed and efficiency. AccessData has led the forensic computing industry with its password cracking and decryption technology for over 18 years. In addition, during the late 1990’s AccessData expanded its offering to include the Forensic ToolKit (FTK(TM)) which enables investigators to analyze the cracked or decrypted files. AccessData is a recognized leader in the field of digital forensics training and certification with its AccessData Certified Examiners program; (ACE), ensuring forensics examiners worldwide follow established standards and guidelines. For more information on AccessData visit www.accessdata.com.
CONTACTS:
Cassondra Todd
(626) 229-9191
cassondra.todd@guidancesoftware.com
Jonathan Heit
(310) 496-4470
jonathan@allisonpr.com
