Accredited digital investigator programme underway

Eighty people could soon start training to become the world’s first professionally accredited cyber digital investigators. The first tranche of candidates from several forces are being assessed before starting a Home Office-commissioned project to validate officers’ skills and introduce consistent standards for cyber investigation specialists. The pilot scheme will create an industry standard profession – the Institute of Cyber Digital Investigation Professionals – next year. It will also create a ‘resilience pool’ of specialists to help support colleagues in the event of a major cyber attack against the UK. The project was launched in response to concerns over the number of specialists from high tech crime units leaving for other jobs in the private sector. The Home Office was also worried about the lack of a professional accreditation potentially damaging officers’ credibility in court. To ensure the training courses are of a high standard, providers will subscribe to a new register proving they meet forces’ requirements. The Home Office intends to accept another 350 people on to the programme next year. Keith Lumley, an associate at the College of Policing, said: “It’s focused at those individuals who are at the core of investigations, those who may have to present evidence at court on their cyber digital investigation skills. “We are talking high tech crime units at this stage, we are not talking about every cop or law enforcement professional – those you give the most complex investigations from a cyber digital point of view.”