What Is the Current Demand for Computer Forensics Certification?

In recent years, there have been a record number of computer security related crimes than ever before. The more that digital technology advances, the more chances that computer criminals will take advantage and find new ways of stealing and destroying data. That is why the growing interest in computer forensics training is becoming a sought after field for those wanting a high paid and stable forensics career.

If you want to pursue a computer forensics education, there are many forensics classes you will need to complete to get your forensics degree. The basis of your forensics classes will be to become a forensics specialist who can solve computer crimes successfully.

Another aspect of your forensics training will be to find and recover lost or stolen computer systems information, as well as making it safe against future computer criminals. Going to forensics school will also entail becoming trained to analyze other electronic devices besides computers, such as cell phones, iPads, iPhones and other new technological devices that connect to the internet. As a result, you can imagine that there are many in-demand forensics colleges and forensics classes that will help you to get your forensics degree. Believe it or not, you can receive a forensics degree as soon as two years from now.

However, keep in mind that the highest salaried forensics jobs will be from those forensics colleges that offer a four-year degree in the specialized area. Some of the training you will receive when attending a forensics school, will be the basics of computer forensics, as well as much more focused education on computer file recovery, how criminals hide data, administrative procedures when dealing with related court cases.

You will also become an expert in computer forensics software programs used in the profession. If you are someone who enjoys computer work on a full time basis and you also find working with the law interesting, the field of computer forensics will be very rewarding for you. If you also have a degree of skill working with computer software and programs, you will very likely enjoy the computer forensics training you receive.

This is a field that will never be short of jobs because of the continued advancements in computers and digital technology. This, like the healthcare field, is a career you can feel secure about pursuing as it will always be in demand as long as there are computers and people who use them!

How Logging And File Integrity Monitoring Technologies Can Augment Process and Procedure

Documentation Of PCI Compliance Processes? No Thanks!

Small Company PCI Compliance

For many Merchants subject to the PCI DSS, September is always a significant deadline for proving that compliance with the security measures of the PCI DSS has been met.

Unless you are a Tier 1 merchant (transacting in excess of 6 million card sales each year) and being audited by a PCI Security Standards Council QSA (Qualified Security Assessor) then you will be using the Self-Assessment route. SAQ D is the most commonly used Self Assessment Questionnaire for medium to large scale merchants.

Regardless of which type of Merchant your organization is classified as, the issues are firstly to put measures in place to meet compliance with the requirements, (so either install some security technology, e.g. a file integrity monitor, or define and document security procedures), and secondly, to prove that the measures are effective.

For smaller merchants, processes are typically not documented because there has previously been no need to do so. It stands to reason that for a small-scale IT Department, processes are commensurately simple to explain and operate, and as such, wont have needed to be documented. This being the case, however, it could also be argued that the documentation of processes, and proving that they work, is also very simple.

For instance, the change management process may be as simple as 'if any of us need to make a change, we discuss it or just send an email to the others for their information, then enter details onto a shared spreadsheet document'.

Clearly there is ample potential for human error in a process like this and for an 'inside man' hack to be perpetrated, even if the risk is low and the subsequent identification of the perpetrator straightforward.

So in this case, documenting the process is easy, but proving that it is infallible is another matter. There are too many scenarios where the process can fail, principally due to human error, but this also makes it inadequate as a means of ensuring changes cannot be made without detection. This is why many small companies lose sleep over PCI Compliance, worrying how far measures need to be taken and just how much security is enough?

Process Checks and Balances - Automated

PCI DSS Requirement 10 mandates the logging of all significant security events from the PCI estate, while PCI DSS Requirement 11.5 mandates the use of File-Integrity Monitoring technology. For many organizations taking a 'checkbox' approach to PCI Compliance, the implementation of both technologies is seen as just another hassle to get through for the sake of the PCI DSS.

However, take a step back and look at the PCI DSS as a whole. The emphasis is on good security measures with sound best practices. In other words, for each dimension of security advocated by the PCI DSS there is a need to document and test related processes.

It therefore becomes clear that logging and FIM are not just overlay technologies to plug gaps left by the firewalling, hardening and antivirus measures, but integral means of verifying that your net security stance is effective.

Any file change or configuration change reported should be investigated and verified then acknowledged as an approved change. The process is automated, but simple and robust.

Similarly, a new account or privilege being assigned will be reported via your log management system, prompting an investigation and ultimately a record of the acknowledgment.

As such, implementation of event log management and file integrity checker technologies can actually provide the processes needed for PCI DSS compliance. You could have a whole shelf full of change management processes and procedures, or alternatively, simply refer to your log management and File Integrity Monitoring reporting system.

Open Source Development - Secure or Not?

It is a common notion that open source as opposed to the proprietary software is more prone to breaking down due to the ability of code crackers to manipulate the source code to malfunction. While this point of view is justified, because you can actually see the code, modify it and re-distribute it, it would be very presumptuous to say that it is unstable and unsecure. With the advent of internet businesses that operate completely online, security became an inevitable need and an unavoidable concern. This also does not mean that proprietary software are uncrackable (given the fact that there is no access to source code and there is a huge price via licensing) the most standardized software can be invaded due to their predictability as well. And the debate never ends!

There are so many misconceptions about the open source development, that it is very difficult to create a leveled platform for a debate. Along with misconceptions, there aren't as many skilled professionals to clear the cards too! Someone to take a stand and "show" the architecture of the open source code to the masses at large and prove some point! Well, that's true even with a closed source code as well - due to the non disclosure of code policy no one can vouch that proprietary software is "highly secure" - other than the developers themselves!

Firstly, just because the source code is available, does not make open source software inherently more vulnerable. This would imply that there are absolutely no vulnerabilities in proprietary software - which is totally untrue! Standard software can be manipulated too via scripts because of their predictability of functionality. In fact, the availability of source code to a developer enables new avenues for a developer to secure it in a customizable way as per requirement per project basis. Web development - one of the ever expanding fields in IT, has also caught on the open source train. With loads of open source development platforms like PHP, Drupal, Joomla etc, building web applications using these is a trend that has caught on rapidly in the past few years. Of course this did not lessen the charm of the standard software and ASP.NET and ASP are used equally as well. However, to put it in plain language, there are no statistics that show one to be more vulnerable than the other.

So, with open source development, or with proprietary software, your website / application is equally vulnerable (or not) and can be taken advantage of by a notorious hacker. Like the saying goes "A lock on the door is for a gentleman, thieves will steal anyways". Whether you use open source development or not, you must appropriately secure our applications and websites and leave very less scope for manipulation by code breakers and hackers. With all said and done, use the apt software to suit your development requirements and ensure that your final product is free from vulnerabilities thoroughly tested by all testing strategies available and secured to your satisfaction.

Android Application Development - The Newest Trends Of Success!

Android-based smartphones and their apps are increasing day-by-day. There is a tremendous rise of apps and innovative games, utilities and business apps with each passing day. The market is booming at the rate of 32 per cent every month while there are at least a dozen number of new gadgets and smartphones coming up every 2-3 days. Industry experts believe that the surge is primarily owing to the popularity of superb smartphones including Motorola Droid, certain HTC models, and the free, always available, open-source nature of the OS.

Advantages of Android platform

One of the primary advantages include multiple technologies like GSM, EDGE, CDMA, Wi-Fi technologies to transfer data via mobile networks.
Comprehensive design libraries with 2-D and 3D graphics.
Image, audio and video libraries.
Much needed features including high-resolution Video camera, Touchscreen, accelerometer and GPS system.
Peer-2-Peer using Google Talk.
SQLite module integrated for data storage.
Signed apps and signing of apps for publishing

There are various mobile app development companies and Android development companies which can be found offshore, in India, China, and the Phillipines. Using the latest development technologies and tools many Android programmers make the best use of Android SDK and leverage the Open Source Simple programming language to churn out innovative and inventive Android applications.

Android developers have in the recent years, successfully created innovative apps within the Android framework and also create third party mobile apps, for PDAs, Pocket PCs and other gadgets.

Some of the general Android app development services include:
Web-based app development for different Android-based phones
Custom app development based on client requirements
Java mobile app development for creating games, business apps and utilities
Software creation for different uses
Third-party libraries creation
Security mobile solutions and entertainment apps including multimedia
Apps leveraging Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS support features of Android
Utilities and its design/ implementation
Testing and quality assurance for Android projects

There are many who are experts and experienced in using Android SDK for meeting their client requirements. Many have even created 2D and 3D apps with the help of Open GL technology. Some of the general in-demand apps consist of:
Business apps
Games
Security apps
Communication apps with location-based service
Utilities
Barcode Scanning systems
Travel apps
Multimedia apps

Our continued success in Android app development has propelled the satisfaction levels of our clients and have reposed us with extension of their already-awarded projects. We have also created apps related to the social networking domain including apps which make use of the new hardware features like accelerometer and motion sensors.

High-Tech Mobile Presentations: Travel Light and Present Strong

Since the launching and release of mobile devices, businessmen and professionals went mobile. This everyday working style is understandable for professionals and business people to get more customers, clients or business partners. The economically active population has to keep on moving, meet people, discuss and prepare business presentations outside a four-cornered office room. Thanks to a number of technology companies who keep on launching high-tech tools, gadgets and computer apps to help mobile professionals perform critical daily routine with ease and with style.

For a mobile and economically active population, devices called iPad and iPhone aren't just hot new consumer devices. Almost every week, new computer applications or programs are being developed and released by individuals or by companies making it available for sale or free use. These devices, gadgets, computer apps or programs are powerful and increasingly popular tools for business. Here's why.

• You can turn your iPhone or iPad into a pointer and controller for PowerPoint Presentations or your Keynote presentations. Pointer Remote for PowerPoint and Keynote is a productivity app by Zen trophy Software and is available for free at their website. However, it doesn't work with computers running on Windows. You need to use a computer running Mac OS X 10.6 or 10.5. Also, you need to download a Mac application Pointer Server before you use this Pointer app.

• Last week Presentation Link, a productivity app for interactive presentations on the iPad was released and is now available at the App Store free for a limited time. This presentation app is a must have for presenters like you whether you use your iPad for one-to-one presentations or in front of a large audience because it is a powerful tool to create and show interactive presentations. It can integrate videos and set hyperlinks for a truly touch-enabled, mobile presentation experience. One more thing that I loved with this productivity app for presentations is once you have this app you can also use your existing Power Point presentations or Microsoft Templates. All you need to do is simply print the PowerPoint slides you prepared for the presentation using Powerpoint templates as PDFs or images and import them into this app for iPad.

• Another presentations app available at the App Store is called Conference Pad. This app is designed both for iPhone and iPad, and it can control a presentation on up to fifteen iPads and i Phones from your device, simultaneously and wireless over Bluetooth or WI-Fee. With this app, your presentation will be displayed seamlessly on one or more external screens or projectors attached to iPads and iPhone 4s. This app is definitely perfect for that lasting impression with a high-tech touch, a better replacement for the traditional PowerPoint slide-printouts. Using Conference Pad app, the presentation display is fully under your control when you change pages, pinch to zoom and pan around, or tap-and-hold to activate the laser pointer. The juicy thing about this app is that it allows your other presentations made using other computer tools or programs such as Keynote and PowerPoint be displayed and presented using this Conference Pad App. You will only need to download a free app called Conference Pad Loader which can use the program Keynote to automatically convert Keynote and PowerPoint Backgrounds presentations to PDF before displaying them using Conference Pad on an iPad device.

Other iPad and iPhone apps you can use are Slide-rocket HTML5 Player for the iPad, Air Sketch and Power Presenter. Having and using a couple of these high-tech mobile devices and apps will have a great impact on your productivity as a mobile professional and presenter. So what are you waiting for? Travel light and present strong using any of these mobile devices and apps, which helps to control the future of your business.

Mobile Applications Versus Mobile Web Sites In Education

The future of mobile development is a strong one. The question these days is..."Is it better to build a mobile website or a mobile app"? Will new and developing browser technologies like HTML5 make the mobile Web preferable to apps? In my opinion, there is no debate at all. The mobile Web is not going to die and app stores are not going anywhere.

As mobile usage increases worldwide, both sides of the equation will grow with it and become valuable aspects of product road maps. There is an expression that goes something like "a high tide raises all ships".

Apps often fulfill a "quick action, I need something" role for students while browsers fulfill a "I need to look something up and read" role. It makes sense. When you consume content via a smartphone or a tablet, you are probably in an app that takes advantage of the deeper integrations of the device like accelerometers, ingrained video capabilities, cameras and location-based services. Themobile Web is used more often for research and looking things up on the fly while out and about. The distinction between the two are blurring.

Each has advantages and in my opinion apps have one clear advantage. In general, a well-made app can provide a far better user experience than even the best mobile websites are capable of right now. But that being said, you need to remember that making just a native app is usually harder than making an equivalent cross-platform web app. You often have to build each app for each platform to reach a wider audience. In North America, the most important smartphone platforms right now are iOS, Android, and BlackBerry. How many mobile users are on each? Here are the ratios in the U.S., as a percentage of all mobile phone users, for the last quarter of 2010:

iPhone: 6.75%
Android: 7.75%
BlackBerry: 8.53%
TOTAL: 23.0%

In other words, if you decide to only make an iPhone app, fewer than 7% of all mobile phone users will be able to use it. If the app's primary purpose is marketing, you'll need to decide whether this reach is big enough to be worth it.

As far as the advantage of Web apps over native mobile apps, it is cross-platform compatibility. They run in the standards-compliant browsers that are available on Android, Apple, BlackBerry, and Windows mobile devices, so (in theory at least) they have to be built only once. The disadvantages, as I stated earlier, are that they lack access to such features of a device, they can't use some of user-interface elements that are native to each platform, and they can't be downloaded from Apple's App Store or the Android Market.

There are clear arguments for both applications and mobile sites. While some companies believe that mobile development priorities should be focused on either a mobile site or an application, the reality is that students are using both channels, so an integrated approach is the optimal solution...a hybrid solution.

You also need to consider time, budget and resources to develop each solution.

Currently, a technologist and software developer living in the Buffalo, New York area with years of industry experience. I have worked in the higher education, insurance and the utilities industry. Software development can be such a cool industry to work in. I want to make it better.

We are about about collaborating, learning and making the lives of people better. It is about improving the quality and experience of learning as well as making the creation of web 2.0 endeavors fun, rewarding and fulfilling.

Android Mobile App for Reading Newspaper

A new Android mobile app has been developed which makes reading newspaper electronically very easy. This app is exclusive to Android mobile users. It delivers a new dimension in a way that it enhances content from printed articles using Smartphone. It delivers rich content from digitally watermarked images featuring on the front pages of various newspapers.

Readers can download Mobile Reader application and instantly view video, slideshows and other content of interest from the newspaper. Newspaper reading mobile app uses the phone's camera to see digital watermarks which have been embedded into printed images. This provides and delivers interactive, informative multi-dimensional experience from static newspaper pages. This application provides an opportunity to the news media to a new era of integrating print media with electronic assets that will greatly enhance the readers' reading experience with the aid of live video and information, giving them enlightenment and enjoyment. The advertisers also stand to gain as they have a new medium for advertisements.

Digital Mobile Reading app is presently available for Android enabled Smartphone, simply provides with an innovative and smart and powerful medium to a establish a new level of engaging readers. It also helps in attracting a new generation of readers by providing exciting, interactive experience while going through newspaper articles.

Readers have to simply hold their Smartphone four to six inches above the internet-enabled images, which are identified by a small phone icon. The app instantly recognizes the images and connects readers to related digital content such as video and slides in relation to a news item. The newspaper reader never had it so good. Now he can relive the convenience of routinely browsing the printed pages along with the ability to instantly access timely, deep, multimedia, news content previously available only online. Newspaper, magazines and other print news media, in a way, have become web browsers connecting readers to a windfall of information, entertainment and a rich reading experience. Mobile reader app developer has facilitated digital watermarking of print ads which greatly enhances value proposition to the publication's advertisers.

This app lets mobile devices to see and hear media content through its cameras and microphones. The readers can simply direct their Smartphone at the printed content they are interested in and they are instantly produced a range of network services such as a product's sale and purchase, video, which can be saved for later viewing or to be shared with others.