Digital Detective Services Determines That One in Four Office Computers Contains Pornographic Materials.

FALLS CHURCH, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1997--Digital Detective Services (DDS), a computer forensics and investigations firm announced Tuesday that one in four corporate computers contains some form of pornographic materials including some instances of child pornography.

"The results are not startling," said Sudeep Bose, J.D., director of investigations and an expert in the field of corporate computer policy development. "Many small and medium size firms have no formal policies or standards on Internet use or materials transmitted on-line.

"Employees are left to police themselves and that does not work. We commonly find persons using corporate networks to view illicit materials. At best this is a waste of corporate resources -- at worst, depending on the materials, it is a crime."

The results of the study come from data accumulated by DDS over 11 months and 150 individual investigations. "Executives call us to analyze what an employee has been doing with the computer," said Dan Bender, manager of operations.

"When we present our findings, they are usually shocked. An employee being investigated for releasing trade secrets turns out to be a collector of on-line pornography. It really stirs up office politics."

The misuse of corporate networks has legal ramifications for both the employee and employer. "Employees with tainted materials on their computers are usually terminated immediately," said Bose. "Employers despise the possibility of exposure and other issues which readily arise from these situations."

DDS agents are quick to point out that a minority of office employees view questionable materials, but they warn that many savvy computer users try to hide their activities from management.

"Many employees try to delete files and clear caches when they suspect they are being investigated for anything," said Amadali Arabshahi, director of IT. "We have the technology to restore deleted files and view hidden or password protected data. No bit of information is left unturned."

When asked if anyone has ever hired DDS to wipe files professionally, Bose replied, "We are in the business of discovering evidence but if a client wants sensitive materials on storage media to be destroyed, it can be accomplished. The process is more in-depth than most people realize."

DDS specializes in investigating computer-based crimes, and analyzing network and storage media content for private sector clients. The company was formed in November 1996 and has conducted various high level investigations for law firms and corporations in the Washington, D.C. area. A staff of private investigators and computer security experts form the backbone of the company.

More information about Digital Detective Services located in Falls Church, Va. is available by calling, 703/575-9326.

CONTACT: Digital Detective Services

703/575-9326

by

Infringatek