Ukrainian Investigators Learn New Techniques to Combat Cyber Crime

December 2011

In late November, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) offered two trainings on cyber crime investigation to 28 Ukrainian investigators. Supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and conducted in cooperation with the Microsoft Corporation, the training allowed participants to familiarize themselves with the latest technology and to learn technical computer skills from certified Microsoft experts. The trainings addressed computer networks, viruses, malicious software and cyber attacks.

The participants also spent an entire day discussing investigative issues and learning new data collection techniques from several experts, including Maksim Litvinov from the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior’s Cyber Crime Unit. Clark Harshbarger, a special agent with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), discussed the FBI’s anti-cyber crime work and its procedures, including Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)—a bilateral agreement under which parties exchange information to enforce criminal laws—procedures.

Among other things, the training included illustration of how investigators can access and search a computer and save electronic evidence for use at trial without leaving an electronic fingerprint on the searched computer. Participants also took part in evidence-recovery exercises, employing their newly learned skills.

Participants said the trainings boosted their knowledge of and confidence in counter-cyber crime efforts. ABA ROLI will organize advanced trainings for investigators.

To learn more about our work in Ukraine, contact the ABA Rule of Law Initiative at rol@americanbar.org.