Cyber crime grant goes to Champlain College

BURLINGTON, Vt.--The U.S. Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has awarded Champlain College a $185,000 grant, which will be used to further develop the college's Computer & Digital Forensics program and promote it as the national educational model to help fight electronic crime and cyber terrorism.
Realizing that the United States is facing increasing incidents of electronic crime and terrorism and a lack of trained professionals to investigate these crimes, the NIJ has been charged with fostering educational programs in this field. According to Martin Novak, program manager at National Institute of Justice, there are very few college-level programs in computer forensics in existence, and the NIJ is looking to Champlain's program to help create a workforce within the law enforcement and business communities to combat electronic crime.
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced the grant on the Champlain College campus on October 21. Once again Champlain College is ahead of the curve. When National Institute of Justice officials were scouting for a cyber crime education program to match the needs they identified within the law enforcement community, they found Champlain College, he said. What they discovered at Champlain College was a nearly completed and effective cyber forensic education program, well-grounded in the expertise of Vermonts law enforcement, cyber security and education communities.
This program will bring real value to law enforcement practitioners across the country in countering the cyber criminals of today and tomorrow, Leahy said.
Champlain College President Roger H. Perry said, We appreciate the support of Senator Leahy -- our nations cyber senator -- as we advance educational initiatives that not only make a difference in Vermont and the Northeast, but also have a national and global impact.
Today, computers often play a key role in the commission of crimes, as in financial fraud and identity theft, while at other times they serve as record-keepers of conversations and incriminating data. White-collar crooks, international terrorists and common criminals using computers to plan and execute crimes, and Champlain's program trains professionals to apprehend these criminals. Students learn to examine computers and pull relevant evidence from them, which can then be used in court.
The professional computer forensics examiner needs to understand the law, the technology and the investigative process," said Gary Kessler, director of Champlains program.
Champlain's program--which includes professional certificate, associate's and bachelor's degree options--was instituted a year ago. It was the first bachelor's degree of its kind in New England. This fall Champlain has launched the program online and it's the first online degree of its kind in the nation.
"We are fortunate to have strong digital forensics expertise in the Vermont law enforcement community and that the College has a good relationship with that community, Kessler said. The advice and support from local experts has been critical in the success of the definition and rollout of this program.
The $185,000 grant will fund further refinement and expansion of Champlain's major, including preparing additional courses for online delivery. The grant also supports the promotion of Champlains program to law enforcement groups and other organizations that NIJ and ECPI identifies as significant to their education mission.
The College hosted an early-September meeting of the Electronic Crime Partnership Initiative, a 40-person NIJ group charged with tasks that include developing and fostering standards, technology, education, training and certification to increase the nation's capacity to combat electronic crime.
I want to congratulate Champlain College for being proactive and ahead of the field in the development of a digital forensics curriculum, said John Morgan, assistant director of the National Institute of Justice, while on campus in September. This will be groundbreaking for the field.
I think digital forensics is the most pressing need in law enforcement, Morgan said. We must have a much stronger, proactive capacity in federal, state and local law enforcement to deal with this.
Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a private, career-oriented institution offering professional certificates, associates, bachelors and masters degrees in 26 fields of business, technology and human services. Champlain educates approximately 1,675 full-time students and 900 part-time students.