Network Security Audit Risk Assessment Information Security Consulting Computer Forensics

 


Expert Witness - discovery, investigations, document recovery

Jim Kelton

Jim Kelton, Managing Principal of Altius Information Technologies, Inc. (Altius IT), has over 30 years of computer and network expert witness and forensics experience.  Mr. Kelton frequently helps organizations with discovery and investigations:

  • E-mail discovery
  • Information recovery
  • Crime scene investigation services and forensics
  • Documentation of findings and evidence found
  • Expert witness testimony

Highlights of Expert Qualifications

Mr. Kelton’s Information Technology (IT) expert experience includes:

  • Assisting attorneys in preparing discovery

  • Supporting FBI on cyber and hacker attack investigations

  • Investigating and analyzing insurance company hacker claims

  • Rendering expert opinions and serving as an expert witness

  • Expert authority – featured on national television (MSNBC) and in over 40 publications

  • Over 20 years assisting attorneys with case investigations and litigation

  • Computer and network forensics

  • Security expert at the National Symposium on Cyber Crime

Expert Media Recognition

As a leading IT authority, Mr. Kelton has appeared on national television (MSNBC and Business News) and in over 40 major publications including The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and many others. Please visit our "In the News" page for more information.

Expert Experience

Mr. Kelton is qualified in many aspects of the IT profession including programming, systems analysis, database design, networking, information security, and data integrity issues. For the past several years, Mr. Kelton has investigated hacking and cyber crime cases, interacted with the FBI, attorneys, and insurance companies in case investigations and rendered expert opinions. Mr. Kelton has over 30 years Information Technology experience from mainframe computer systems to PC operations and networks.

Peer Recognition and Associations

Mr. Kelton is past President and has served in leadership roles in the following associations:

  • Association of Professional Consultants (APC)
  • Business Technology Association (BTA) Leadership Development Committee
  • International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC)
  • NetTech Nationwide Association of Information Technology Companies
  • Tech Target Security Advisory Board

Awards and Certifications

  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
  • Graduated first in his class with a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems
  • Received CDP certification from the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals
  • Presidents Award, Association of Professional Consultants

Professional Experience (30+ years)

1993 – Present   Managing Principal, Altius Information Technologies, Inc.
Mr. Kelton oversees day-to-day operations of Altius IT, a leading Information Technology (IT) consulting company specializing in information security and security audits.  Mr. Kelton analyzes issues and claims, provides alternatives for each issue and claim, and provides advantages and disadvantage for each alternative. He also projects, provides, and recommends alternatives for worst-case scenarios for settlement and trial. He provides expert opinion reports for discovery and trial phase and renders expert opinions through discovery and trial phase.  In 1976 Mr. Kelton authored his first publication "Attempting to Achieve Data Security".  Since then, he has been featured on MSNBC and in over 40 publications including The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, and many others.  Recently, Mr. Kelton was a featured presenter at the National Symposium on Cyber Crime.

1979 – 1993   Subsidiary of Philip Morris
Mr. Kelton served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Mission Viejo Company (a subsidiary of Philip Morris) and the planned communities of Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, and Highlands Ranch (Colorado). He automated all aspects of business operations through the use of mini-computer, Novell and Microsoft networks, outside computer services, and high-speed data lines. He was responsible for voice and data communications and integration. Mr. Kelton oversaw the programming and development staff, computer operations, and PC operations and networking for the company. He interfaced and coordinated Mission Viejo Company’s Information Technology infrastructure and planning with their parent company, Philip Morris.

1977 – 1979   Senior Systems Analyst, Burroughs Corporation
Mr. Kelton provided systems analysis, database design, and programming services.  He also served as the team lead on the accounting module.

Education

Graduating first in his class, Mr. Kelton received his Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona in 1976. Mr. Kelton earned a Bachelor of Science degree with double majors in the fields of Accounting and Management in 1975.  Mr. Kelton spent several years as an instructor for the University of Arizona.

  • Master of Science, Management Information Systems (MIS) 1976, University of Arizona (graduated first in his class from one of the top 5 MIS schools in the United States)

  • Bachelor of Science, Management 1975, University of Arizona

Examples of Civil and Criminal Expert Services

Computer System and Network Issues

  • Application Development – insurance loss claim analysis and investigations

  • Fire/sprinkler damage – restore equipment to operating condition to allow data recovery

  • Hard drive failure – recover critical documents through use of special hardware and software

Construction Defect

  • Evidence – assemble and analyze for importance

  • Fraud – electronic document investigations and recovery

Cyber Crimes

  • Federal – assisted Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in cyber crime cases

  • System Vulnerability Assessments – review systems and document vulnerabilities

Employment Issues

  • Document Retrieval – access electronically deleted documents and make available to client

  • E-mail – tracing and routing of electronic communications

  • Employee termination – research and identify audit trails and available electronic evidence

  • Policies – identify and document violations of computer-related policies and procedures

Hackers

  • Analysis – review and analysis of log files and trails to determine unauthorized activity

  • Evidence – protect evidence and chain of custody for criminal investigations

  • Protection - mitigation of damages

  • Security – secure systems to protect against additional intrusions and damage

Legal

  • Plaintiff – pre-filing through trial

  • Defendant – post filing through trial

  • Analysis – issues and claims

  • Alternatives – provide alternatives for each issue/claim

  • Advantages – provide advantages and disadvantages for each alternative

  • Scenarios - project, provide, and recommend alternatives for worst-case scenarios for settlement and trial

  • Reporting - provide expert opinion report for discovery and trial phase

  • Expert opinions - render expert opinions at discovery and trial phase