Consortium of Digital Forensic Specialists Is Launched; Will Focus on Standards and Advocacy

Wakefield, Mass. — Aug. 4, 2011 — The Consortium of Digital Forensic Specialists (CDFS), a global non-profit industry group that aims to improve the digital forensic profession through unity, advocacy and standardization, announced today that it is now accepting membership applications from interested organizations and individuals.

CDFS plans to develop and influence standards for the practice of digital forensics; review and endorse digital forensic training and certification programs; and promote and develop an enforceable ethical framework for digital forensic practitioners. The group also plans to advocate against improper licensing standards. Development of a comprehensive ethical standard for the digital forensic profession will be among its first work products.

"In a time of growing scrutiny of the digital forensic profession, and of forensic sciences in general, practitioners need to unite to develop accepted practice and ethics standards across all sectors of the industry," said Chris Kelly, CDFS President. "Our members will work cooperatively to address these issues and shape the future of our profession."

Digital forensics is an emerging science and a diverse profession. Corporations, lawyers, courts, law enforcement, the military and intelligence communities, academia, training organizations, software developers, hardware developers, and private practitioners have contributed to the substantial growth of the field.

"The importance of CDFS is that it will finally create one voice for the digital forensic profession," said Toby Finnie, a CDFS Board member and Director of the High Tech Crime Consortium, an 1,800-member non-profit association that is a CDFS sponsor. "Standards are fundamentally important to the continued maturity of the profession, and CDFS will become the place where those standards take shape."

Membership in CDFS is open to both organizations and individuals. Sponsorship opportunities also exist for individuals or organizations seeking additional CDFS benefits. Additional membership information may be found at: http://cdfs.org/membership.

About CDFS

The Consortium of Digital Forensic Specialists (CDFS) is a non-profit organization serving the global digital forensic profession and community through a focus on standards and advocacy. Membership in CDFS is open to interested individuals and organizations working in the digital forensic profession. More information about CDFS can be found via its website, www.cdfs.org.