MTEB Diploma CSUT2 Partner

 

Diploma for SIM and USIM Technology Examination
Mobile Telephone Diploma Core
Diploma:CSUT2

Partner Support
The Mobile Telephone Examination Board (MTEB) are pleased announce that Quantaq Solutions (http://www.quantaq.com/about.htm) have agreed to be the MTEB Diploma CSUT2 Partner. Quantaq Solutions role is as a "Partner Support". This role entails

- providing trial copies of software
- respond to technical enquiries that a student may require to make

to assist with the student's Diploma.

Moreover, Quantaq Solutions will host an MTEB webpage solely for use by MTEB Diploma Students so that students can have acess to the software and post questions to seek technical assistance.

MTEB selected to work with Quantaq Solutions as a "Partner Support" because of their existing experience with (U)SIM/smart card examination tools, their range of independent, stand-alone tools to analyse (action commands/receive responses) on SIM/Smartcard and their highly regarded technical knowledge and experience in the fields of:

SIM, smartcards, NFC, RFID, M2M, location, DRM, security, cryptography, Mobile Wallet, technology, innovation, patents, technical design authority, standardisation, proof-of-concepts and software development

Gary Waite

Leading the "Partner Support" on behalf of Quantaq Solutions is Gary Waite. Gary is very well known in the mobile forensics arena for his work on the tools the (U)SIM forensic tools USIM Detective (USIM-D) and USIM Detective Professional (USIM-DP).

His experience and technical background further underpin his credentials of his expertise:
- Founder of Quantaq Solutions
- Past Vice Chair of the Smart Card Group GSM Association
- Test software supplier to Global Certification Forum (GCF) Field Trial Guidelines
- Authored the original ETSI GSM 11.17 standard. This standard formalised the core test processes and procedures for SIM Cards and remains at the heart of (U)SIM testing, programming and examination today.
- First to introduce recording in CUST File (EF) a particular handset's IMEI on SIM Card, which is important, evidentially
- Employed as Technology Manager for the last 11 years with a well know international Mobile Network Operator
- Skilled in C/C++/Java
- Holds a Degree from the University of Abertay Dundee - Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Electronic Engineering

Diploma:CSUT2
Free trial access to the following tools will be made available to Diploma Students. 

USIMdetective - http://www.quantaq.com/usimdetective.htm
USIMexplorer - http://www.quantaq.com/usimexplorer.htm
USIMexplorer - http://www.quantaq.com/usimcommander.htm
USIMprofiler - http://www.quantaq.com/usimprofiler.htm

Diploma for SIM and USIM Technology Examination
Mobile Telephone Diploma Core
Diploma:CSUT2

The latest MTEB Diploma Modules Guide is MTEdipl 2.2 can be downloaded here:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/84491783/MTEdipl%202.2.pdf

MTEB Diploma CSUT2 Partner

 

Diploma for SIM and USIM Technology Examination
Mobile Telephone Diploma Core
Diploma:CSUT2

Partner Support
The Mobile Telephone Examination Board (MTEB) are pleased announce that Quantaq Solutions (http://www.quantaq.com/about.htm) have agreed to be the MTEB Diploma CSUT2 Partner. Quantaq Solutions role is as a "Partner Support". This role entails

- providing trial copies of software
- respond to technical enquiries that a student may require to make

to assist with the student's Diploma.

Moreover, Quantaq Solutions will host an MTEB webpage solely for use by MTEB Diploma Students so that students can have acess to the software and post questions to seek technical assistance.

MTEB selected to work with Quantaq Solutions as a "Partner Support" because of their existing experience with (U)SIM/smart card examination tools, their range of independent, stand-alone tools to analyse (action commands/receive responses) on SIM/Smartcard and their highly regarded technical knowledge and experience in the fields of:

SIM, smartcards, NFC, RFID, M2M, location, DRM, security, cryptography, Mobile Wallet, technology, innovation, patents, technical design authority, standardisation, proof-of-concepts and software development

Gary Waite

Leading the "Partner Support" on behalf of Quantaq Solutions is Gary Waite. Gary is very well known in the mobile forensics arena for his work on the tools the (U)SIM forensic tools USIM Detective (USIM-D) and USIM Detective Professional (USIM-DP).

His experience and technical background further underpin his credentials of his expertise:
- Founder of Quantaq Solutions
- Past Vice Chair of the Smart Card Group GSM Association
- Test software supplier to Global Certification Forum (GCF) Field Trial Guidelines
- Authored the original ETSI GSM 11.17 standard. This standard formalised the core test processes and procedures for SIM Cards and remains at the heart of (U)SIM testing, programming and examination today.
- First to introduce recording in CUST File (EF) a particular handset's IMEI on SIM Card, which is important, evidentially
- Employed as Technology Manager for the last 11 years with a well know international Mobile Network Operator
- Skilled in C/C++/Java
- Holds a Degree from the University of Abertay Dundee - Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Electronic Engineering

Diploma:CSUT2
Free trial access to the following tools will be made available to Diploma Students. 

USIMdetective - http://www.quantaq.com/usimdetective.htm
USIMexplorer - http://www.quantaq.com/usimexplorer.htm
USIMexplorer - http://www.quantaq.com/usimcommander.htm
USIMprofiler - http://www.quantaq.com/usimprofiler.htm

Diploma for SIM and USIM Technology Examination
Mobile Telephone Diploma Core
Diploma:CSUT2

The latest MTEB Diploma Modules Guide is MTEdipl 2.2 can be downloaded here:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/84491783/MTEdipl%202.2.pdf

Mobile Forensics Diplomas

Following on from the article Forensic Erosion ( http://trewmte.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/forensic-erosion.html ) the MTEB Diplomas fill the gap between a time limited (expiration) certificate and a Degree course. You may not have seen it but I did produce six MTEB Diploma options and posted it here - http://trewmte.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/diplomas-mobile-telephone-evidence.html . Moreover, it could help Universities focus their approach to producing Mobile Forensics Degrees with applicants holding a Diploma using it for credits towards the Degree.

The excellent feature of a possessing a Diploma is that it continues to have a value as representation of a person's knowledge, skills and experience similar to a BSc/MSc/PhD. Certificates (e.g. product training certificates) are useful but unless you purchase training year in year out for that same product, which the product can undergo regular changes, waving a five or ten year old certificate may be considered as to its relevance to the evidence or work of a person has been involved.

When a Diploma is undertaken it enables the student to demonstrate current knowledge, skills and experience whilst defining future objectives such as processes and procedures desired to be achieved or occurring in the current marketplace.

A Diploma does not require the student to develop a "new" or "unique" design, process or proposition previously undiscovered (unlike BSc, MSc or PhD trial and error) but demonstration of the student's existing knowledge and how to deploy those skillsets and experience with what works and only express where the subject sees marketplace events or targets to be achieved.

Diplomas are considerably less expensive than BSc, MSc and PhD as they are of a shorter study/submission period, thus present current knowledge, skills and experience to be known sooner and recognised (put to work) in current markets, without limitation of an expiration date associated with a product Certificate at one end of the scale or outdated by the time final semester (BSc/MSc/PhD) is achieved at the other end of the scale.

A Diploma module e.g. * Diploma for ME and UE Technology Examination - Mobile Telephone Diploma Core CMSU3 - enables a candidate to consider mobile/smart phone examination as a specific subject or consider the ME/UE in connection with/to:

* Foundation/Research Skills and/or
* QA and Evidence Handling and/or
* association with SIM and USIM Technology Examination and/or
* Call Records and Network Records Analysis and/or
* Cell Site Analysis

Thus permutation options for submission of a Diploma report may include the expression of ME and UE Technology Examination in isolation or include one or more of the above subjects.

The latest MTEB Diploma Modules Guide is MTEdipl 2.2 ( https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/84491783/MTEdipl%202.2.pdf )

Forensic Erosion

The BBC website identifies a report by MPs that presents findings that many see as the chaotic forensic landscape in Britain today: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23436303.

But there are other issues needing to be addressed, too.

Marketplace
In some ways the situation reminds me when I responded back in 2005, along with many others I should add, to a public consultation document on legal aid and engagement of consultants and experts in the UK. There is only so much that one can put into a document with the natural expectation that further questions would be asked of the author about its content in order to undestand the minutiae operating behind any opinion or solutions put forward. The solution I put forward was to remodel and reduce or remove regional distortion with respect to the expert fees and the forensics landscape.


Specific Skillset Education (SSE)
As many of you will know I have never pretended to come from an academic background, and despite many attempts by some to insult me due to their own fears that non-academics can know considerably more, I took their hostile approach and made positive of their negative approach by calling for academic qualifications in the area of forensics with which I am concerned - http://trewmte.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/mobile-forensics-and-evidence-degrees.html. Germane and relevant then why, with the explosive growth and use of mobile communications, after four years there still no standalone academic qualifications in mobile forensics and evidence? There are some academic forensics courses that placed this important area into one-off mini-module to another degree course but it has been and still is plainly obvious that could never meet the standard automatically expected from proper academic skillsets qualifications that were and are needed. The current situation raises the notion that a person need not be academically qualified to intellectualise this subject, but would still require huge knowledge, skillsets and experience to get through. However, concerns about ready-made tools have given rise to what the professional community has called and is calling 'push button forensics' ( http://www.forensicfocus.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4906 ) that implants the notion qualifications are not necessary. Alternatively, it is also noted Universities simply may not possess the knowledge, skillsets and experience to impart what is needed to students. What is needed is specific skillset education (SSE) to avoid jack of all trades, master of none.

Possible Solution
Perhaps the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee could look at giving support to people (like me and others) and allow us together with Parliament to create qualifications directly linked to a Prize Degree coming from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee enabling citizens of this country to re-connect with Parliament. This would create a cushion. In other words, people want more out of Parliament and not just to feel but actually enjoy the experience Parliament serves all areas. Having a Parliamentary Commitee qualification can help do that.

Of course, my observations maybe seen as a novel idea but it would actually fill the gaps being left open by Universities that are unable to deal with a fast changing society and technology revolution and where people with long term knowledge, skill and experience are not working as University lecturers.         

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I have been involved with forensics and technology evidence for 22 years (1986-2007), of which 20 years with wireless evidence, and of which 14 years dealing with Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications evidence. The extent to which I have dealt with cellular/wireless evidence relates originally to the analogue mobile telephone system in the UK called TACS (Total Access Communications System) trial runs 1983 and launched 1985. This wireless system was phased out of use in the 1990s, although the last TACS wireless licence expired in 2005.

The predominant evidence for TACS related to investigating stolen and cloning mobile telephones. It required examination of the handset and transmitted identity to the network; the examination of the printed circuit boards for modification components or circuitry used to hijack the use of a genuine user's identity; to reprogram stolen identity into a stolen mobile and jettison original identity. To examine usage of stolen TACS mobile'phones in relation to Phonebook and mobile calls. To conduct cell site analysis based on the use of Masts by the stolen mobile 'phones and Masts radio coverage area. The last bulk of TACS mobile 'phone cases ended between 1997/98. This was largely due to the introduction of GSM in 1992 and the four fully operational GSM networks by 1994.

My work with GSM assisted in the introduction into evidence of the early GSM radio maps, called digital cell footprint maps but categorised as Best Server Plots/Density Maps and Single Cell Prediction Plots/Density Maps. This work with GSM began in 1993 with mobile telephone and SIM card examination, and GSM cell site analysis. In 1999 I created the first GSM accredited mobile telephone courses in the UK delivered in 2001 and in 2003 set about creating the first 3G USIM courses in the UK, which began in November 2005. My main skillsets are conducting research and development, data acquisition and harvesting, examining evidence but also presenting evidence in criminal courts of law, thus combining specialist R&D & evidential experience skillsets necessary when dealing with criminal proceedings.

Recently gave evidence to the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee - Terrorism Detention Powers relevant to mobile telephone evidence.

Appeared on Panorama to discuss Cell Site Analysis with respect to the Omagh Bombing 1988.

Gave evidence to the Omagh Inquiry held by the Intelligence Services Commissioner.

More info on Trew MTE courses: trewmte@googlemail.com

Currently Publications I produce:
Mobile Telephone Evidence (MTE) Newsletter
Mobile Telephone Surveillance (MTS) Newsletter
MTE Reports
Forensic Expert News (FEN)
Professional Communications Security Management (PCSM)

Past Publications
Professional Telephone Engineer and Installer
Telephone Times
Telephone News

Author
Admissibility of Computer Evidence in Criminal Proceedings
Understanding the European Community Phase II Directive
Implications of a regulatory framework for telecoms terminal equipment
European Telecommunications Approvals Process
The EMC Implications for type approval for telecommunications terminal equipment
Basic Overview of the Mobile Phone Network
Cloning SIM Cards
Cloning Mobile Phones
Access Control of Networks
PSTN Interface Requirements for Terminal Equipment
Telephone Installation: Keep it simply and legal
Profiting from Private Payphone
Meeting NETs Needs
Computer Evidence in Criminal Proceedings
Security Management - the evolution of standards
The path to Data Encryption and Cryptography
Network Management - Virus and other potential threats to the integrity of the network
Putting Britain First - A blueprint for the future control of public switched telephone network (PSTN)

(These are just a few of authored material over the years and some of the documents above are still available today)

Project Work
USIM Detective (available from Quantaq Solutions http://www.quantaq.com/). The work involved assisting the manufacturer to include forensic features and evidential standards.
I also run the only approved Accredited training for USIM Detective http://www.quantaq.com/ud_training.htm. This is a 3G training course.

Mobile Phone Forensics & Evidence training courses includes: introduction to mobile telephone examination, undersatnding the GSM/3G Standards, SIM/USIM examination, mobile phone examination, cell site analysis, interpretation of data.

Moderate the Mobile Forensics Forums at Forensic Focus:
http://www.forensicfocus.com/mobile-forensics-forum

Also run Mobile Telephone Case law:
http://www.forensicfocus.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=18

Preparing and writing the Mobile Telephone Forensic and Evidence BSc/MSc/PhD Degrees to be made available through Universities.