This report has been prepared by the Institute for Security Technology Studies.  As part of its counter-terrorism and cyber security technology R&D mission, ISTS is committed to helping provide law enforcement with breakthrough technologies to assist in the investigation of cyber attacks.  Accordingly, the goal of this needs assessment is to set forth in detail the technological impediments encountered by cyber-attack investigators, so that the research community can better understand what new technologies may be needed.

Following the work of this assessment, the next step is to identify available technological solutions that address the requirements outlined in the report. If your organization has technology solutions that address the needs identified in this report, please use the submission form located on the Institute’s web site. The third step will be to produce a gap analysis report identifying the critical areas where scientific research should be focused. The ultimate goal is a national agenda for research and development of law enforcement tools and technologies which scientists across the country can use as a guide for determining where to devote their research efforts.

Electronic copies of this document are available at the Institute’s web site <http://www.ists.dartmouth.edu>.  Contact Andrew Macpherson, Acting Assistant Director for Law Enforcement Programs, if you have any questions or would like more information. Andrew can be reached at amacpherson@ists.dartmouth.edu or by phone at 603/646-0710. We would also appreciate any feedback you may have, so that we can continue to improve the quality and responsiveness of our technical and analytical work.