REQUEST FOR U.S. SPEAKER FOR DVC ON COMPUTER FORENSICS

UNCLAS BANGKOK 001985 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/G/EAP (EKENEALY); INFO EAP/PD (JDAVIES, DFIRESTEIN) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO TH SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR U.S. SPEAKER FOR DVC ON COMPUTER FORENSICS ¶1. Program Description: A 120 minute-long digital video conference ¶2. Date and Time of Program: APRIL 25, 2007, 9:00-11:00PM EST (APRIL 26, 8:00-10:00AM Bangkok time) ¶3. Background: In January 2007, Thailand's National Legislative Assembly (NLA) approved for consideration a Cyber Crime bill, which is currently under scrutiny of the Special Committee appointed by the NLA. The main purpose of this review is to amend some legal concepts and to make it much more practical and efficient in taking legal action against cyber crime perpetrators. The Cyber Crime bill will establish criteria to determine criminal offenses committed by cyber crime perpetrators; establish a special cyber cop agency or entity to enforce this law by giving it more power to compile electronic evidence sent via the Internet and by electronic devices; and empower the State through the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MICT) under the court' s review to block or close websites which display content illegal under Thai law, such as pornography, terrorist support, and contempt of the King. Currently there is no law enabling the government to order Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to close websites containing this sort of content. The MICT makes formal requests of Internet service providers to block websites "voluntarily." The Members of the Special Committee are now studying problems, solutions and experiences of U.S. federal, state, and local authorities in enforcing cyber crime laws. One of the issues currently being debated within the Special Committee concerns computer forensics data compilation from online service providers (OSPs),Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecom operators. The Special Committee wants to study the U.S. experience in this area before passing this bill to the NLA for further promulgation. This DVC, the third installment of a three-part series, will focus on the issue of computer forensics. The first DVC on Internet censorship and regulation took place March 15, 2007. A second DVC on delineation of legal authority for cyber crime enforcement is scheduled for April 24, 2007. It should be noted that the State Department, through the Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) program, has provided training and laboratory/forensic equipment to allow the Thai DSI (Dept of Special Investigations) to set up and operate a cyber investigations capability. ¶4. Purpose of Program: a) To explain USG laws, regulations, problems, pitfalls, solutions, and best practices governing the collection of cyber data by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials from websites, ISPs, OSPs, and telecom operators, for use in prosecution of cyber crimes; b) To be a resource to the Thai cyber crime bill drafting committee and share opinions about current language in the draft bill regarding computer forensics data compilation; c) To encourage coverage of this issue by Thai media ¶5. Type of Speaker Requested: The speaker should have both legal and technical computer expertise concerning procedures and methods of cyber data collection by U.S. law enforcement authorities for use in cyber crime prosecutions. Some knowledge of Thailand and recent political developments would be useful but not required. ¶6. Anticipated Audience: Panelists will be members of the cyber crime bill drafting committee; the Minister of Information and Communications Technology, who chairs the drafting committee, will be invited. About 15-20 people in all, including academicians and select members of the local media, are expected to attend. Simultaneous English-Thai translation will be provided. ¶7. Funding: All speaker costs will be covered by Post's program funds. ¶8. Program Contact Information: a) Program Officer: Mr. William Flens Public Diplomacy Officer Tel: (66-2) 205-4849; Fax: (66-2) 650-8924 Mobile: (66-81) 174-9012 E-mail: Flensw@state.gov b) Program Assistant Bussabonglahwan Pattaro Press Specialist Tel: (66-2) 205-4418; Fax: (66-2) 650-8919 Mobile: (66-81) 833-1112 E-mail: Pattaro@state.gov ARVIZU