Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to go to Certification Requirements page
Download the Application
for Certification [.pdf]
Question 1: Why do I
need to be certified?
Professional certification serves as a single representation of your professional
accomplishments. In other words, the certification is the one document that
you can produce or make reference to, that lets others know that you have
achieved a certain level of expertise in your field and that you are an accomplished
practitioner in your area of study. The High Tech Crime Network is highly
recognized in this industry as a truly independent certification body. There
is no doubt that our certifications will yield the highest value for your
professional career and help you to achieve your goals and objectives.
Question 2: What is the certification
process?
An applicant goes to our web site located at http://www.htcn.org/cert.htm
and downloads the certification application. The application is completed
and then notarized. The applicant attaches a 50.00 non-refundable fee to the
application and submits the application with all required supporting documentation.
This documentation can include but is not limited to; course completion certificates,
diplomas or any document that is referenced in the application. A copy of
the notarized application is then forwarded to the direct supervisor listed
in the application. The supervisor must review the applicant’s application
for truth and accuracy and then sign a certification statement that they have
reviewed the application and that it is true and accurate to the best of their
knowledge. This must also be notarized. The supervisor must then return the
application to the High Tech Crime Network. Meanwhile, our staff is continuing
the application process by verifying the information supplied to the best
of our abilities and within the constraints of the law. References, department
members, technical crime organizations may be contacted as part of the process
review. Once the review is complete and the certification is about to be awarded,
the applicant is notified by mail and requested to complete the final part
of the process by submitting the remaining 200.00. The certification is then
awarded and the framed certificate is shipped to the applicant. The entire certification process can take between
45 – 90 days. If the application is missing documentation, a letter is sent
to the applicant requesting the documents. However, if the application does
not meet the stated requirements, the application is rejected and the $50.00
application fee is non-refundable. Remember, if the application is accepted,
the application fee is applied toward the total and it is not lost. We found
it necessary to implement this process because we started receiving applications
that clearly do not meet the published requirements.
Question 3: Does the HTCN certification
qualify me as an expert in a court of law?
There are no
certifications offered by any single or combined organizations anywhere in the
world that qualify an individual as an expert in any particular field or
jurisdiction. A person can only qualify as an expert when a court reviews what
the particular individual has accomplished over the years. They look at
education, experience and work done in a specific field and the amount of time
and cases an individual has committed to his/her area of expertise. In
addition, a court will also look at articles they have written, training they
have received, training they have given, lectures they have made and
certifications they have earned. It is the total picture of what this
individual has accomplished in their area of expertise that qualifies them as
an expert, not the certification. However, an HTCN certification
enhances your list of already impressive credentials.
Question 4: What educational institutions
are HTCN certifications affiliated with?
The High Tech Crime
Network has been educating law enforcement officers and corporations since
November of 1991. We provided the very first online high tech crime service,
which went live in July 1992 and have since educated literally thousands of
law enforcement officers for free. We are a non-profit corporation and are not
affiliated with any particular educational institution. We do not believe
that it is necessary to simply attach a name to our certifications. At this
time there are very few educational institutions that have the nationally
known talent or even a good foundation in high tech related crime investigations,
computer forensics or network security. What would the benefit be using a
learning institution's name? I think that many people would rightfully believe
that we are using the name only to get some type of recognition that is not
deserved. The best way we can provide a highly recognized certification in
this industry is to continue to require that applicants meet the toughest
and most stringent criteria in this industry before awarding the certification,
which we do. We are not into gimmicks. Our requirements are always being evaluated
and will continue to evolve each quarter based on the evolution of technologies
and methodologies in this dynamic field.
Question 5: How are the HTCN requirements
different from other organizations?
The certification process takes
between 45 – 90 days from application to award. We are the only organization
that requires actual experience in a specific discipline for the certification
sought and we are the only organization that conducts a background investigation of each applicant prior to
the award of a certification. The advanced certification requires 3 years
experience in a specific discipline. We are also not in the business of
selling training. We act solely as a certification body and state the
requirements that an individual needs. It is our belief and philosophy that a
certification body remains separate from the training aspect or it might be
construed as a conflict, a way to sell training. We also require that an
individual complete a lengthy application (15 pages) and that the application
be notarized. In addition, a copy of that application is sent to your
supervisor, who must also
complete a certification that they have reviewed the applicant’s application
and that it is true and correct to the best of their knowledge. This must
also be notarized. The applicant must supply copies of all supporting documentation
with the application. This includes copies of certificates earned from training
and educational institutions listed on their resume.
We are very particular to whom we award our certifications and this helps to ensure that only truly qualified professionals receive our certification. Currently we have a rejection rate of about 30%, which is compromised of national and international federal & state law enforcement officers and corporate security professionals for a variety of reasons. We believe that following strict policies and award criteria will make our certifications the leading certifications in the world. We are well on our way.
Don't fall for courses that offer a certification as part of the course
completion. A true certification can only be earned by achieving the
proper amount of training and experience. Don't do it the easy way, do
it the right way. It will be more valuable to you and your career in the
long run.
Question 6: What are the costs associated
with each certification?
The current cost to obtain a certification
once earned is $500.00 USD. In addition, you have to be a member of the High
Tech Crime Network, which costs 50.00 USD for government employees and 100.00
USD for corporations and you must remain a member and meet certain continuing
education requirements to keep the certification. When you submit the notarized
application, a 50.00 non-refundable processing fee must accompany it. We do
this because individuals are submitting applications that they should know
would be rejected because they clearly do not meet the certification criteria.
This costs us both time and money only to reject the application. However,
if the application is approved, the 50.00 processing fee is applied towards
the balance and only 450.00 is due just prior to receiving the certification.
The certification is a beautiful certificate that comes framed. Shipping outside
the US will be extra to ensure its safe arrival. The shipping will only be
the difference between US shipping and foreign shipping.
NOTE:
It is one of our most important goals, to assist
our membership to succeed in this industry. So please let us know if
you need assistance.
If you have any additional questions,
please feel free to check out our web site at www.htcn.org/certification.htm
or direct them to me personally at john@htcn.org. We will be constantly updating
this FAQ when we receive valid questions. Your feedback is imperative to our
success. We welcome your input.
John P. Lucich
International President
High Tech Crime Network
www.htcn.org
john@htcn.org
973.726.9328