dc0de wrote: For those of you who care about Computer Forensics, please see the current situation in Georgia. There is a bill before the GA Legislature -- HB 1259 If passed, it will make it a Felony to perform and testify in a State Court about any computer forensics performed, unless you are a licensed Private Investigator. This law will put honest, local companies out of business, unless they go and get licensed. Note, the GA requirements for a Private Investigator have NO REQUIREMENTS to have ANY computer forensics expertise, nor is there any training regarding how to collect the evidence. Several other states already have these laws, which only allows Licensed private investigative services company to perform and testify to any computer forensics related evidence. (Note, this would also include any IT Audit records, not specifically limited in any way to performing "Encase" like hard drive forensics.) If you live in GA, please contact the Govenor and ask that he VETO HB1259.
I have not been following this issue or had a chance to look into it in any depth.. I look forward to more information getting posted. This is something computer security professionals should pay attention to. Update: Here is some more information. dc0de posted up an email he got from John Roberson of The Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators, Inc. (GAPPI) (BYLAWS) (BoD) (CoE) dc0de makes two observations which I find to be very accurate: 1. The fact that I have this email shows how little these people know about computer security and forensics. 2. The fact that they use a "secure" Yahoo Group to keep their members up to date, makes me chuckle as to what LITTLE prowess they have on the entire topic of Computer Security.
Again, I have not looked into this subject any length, so I can play the open minded guy, even though I'm pretty much positive which way this one is going to go. I see an attempted power grab taking place by some folks not worthy of that power. Locking the people who understand computer security out of the court system is not going to play over well with anyone who is has the ability to take a top down look at the situation from the perspective of global, national, state, or corporate security. Update2: Read this about becoming a private investigator in Georgia, as compared to getting certified CISSP or EnCE. Ask yourself what is more relevant in a court situation, as it is the discourse which should be taking place. Georgia Law to put Computer Forensics experts in Jail -- HB 1259 | 
