DigitalSecurus

I had lunch yesterday with Glen and Matt from DigitalSecurus to talk about securing my laptop, etc. while on the upcoming trip.  Matt is a computer security expert, and was very helpful.  Among the security recommendations he made, I immediately invoked the following:

- Encrypted the hard drive on the laptop with FileVault (Apple's proprietary encryption software).
- Installed Prey on iPhone and laptop so I can both track and "kill" the devices if they are stolen.
- Identified a separate bank account to use for all financial transactions while on the trip, separate from the primary household bank account that receives all automatic deposits, etc.
- Prepared to switch to a new password on all accounts for duration of trip (which will be changed again when I return in six months) to limit exposure to that time period.
- Set automatic backup to the cloud so if the laptop is stolen, I can (a) use Prey to "kill" it, and (b) back up all my data to a new device from the cloud.

Glen Klinkhart, CEO of DigitalSecurus, is an old friend and colleague who helped me on many a case with digital forensics.  Mike Messick, the other principal in DigitalSecurus, is likewise a long time colleague and an expert in system security with years of experience in ISPs and international corporate work.  I met Matt Krueger for the first time yesterday, but have known of his excellent work in systems security and intrusion detection and investigation for a few years.  They were all really helpful.  If they had a sticker, I would put it on the bike!

Besides writing a book on internet safety for children (A Cybercop's Guide to Internet Child Safety), Glen has written a memoir to be published in April of this year that covers, among other stories, the story of the murder investigation in the death of Bethany Corriera.  The book, Finding Bethany, a memoir, also covers what brought Glen into law enforcement, a reason that Bethany's death and finding her murderer is of special importance to Glen. It is more than a whodunnit or police procedural.  It is a very personal story.