CyberCrime is Calling

							CyberCrime is Calling
After my annual pilgrimage last summer to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I was
ready to attempt something new. I enrolled in a seminar that teaches how
to become a public relations and marketing specialist. Not knowing for
sure what opportunities would open up next for me, I figured that knowing
how to do my own PR and marketing would definitely help regardless.
The information I received at the seminar was worthwhile, but one contact
there changed the direction of my career. I met a young lady, Valerie
Mills. Val is heavily involved with computer forensics. Something I had
never even heard about. I found it fascinating! Likewise, Val found my
trial consulting business fascinating. She mentioned that no one in the
computer forensic industry has ever thought about joining the two
together.
Since most court trials include some form of computer forensics, many
consultants are drug into court to testify as an expert witness. Most of
these computer geeks rarely see the outside world. Making a credible
first impression for the jury members never crossed their minds, but as a
jury consultant…it did mine. So, the connection was made. Now, Val
introduces me to her connections and sets me up to do the image
consulting and technique training.
My first project was the CyberCrime Summit 2007 in March. It was held at
Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Attendees were mainly
national and international investigation bureaus, law enforcement and
government agencies. I was billed as a keynote speaker. My presentation,
“Courtroom Testimony: How To Be An Effective Witness” was a smashing hit!
I was brought back the second day for an encore performance. Since then,
I have been secured as a keynote speaker for the CyberCrime Summit 2008.
Jack Wiles of The Training Company was in my audience. He was amazed at
the detailed, practical advice I gave. Since his company coordinates the
Techno Security Conference, another computer crime security related
program, he approached me about doing a presentation at his conference. I
was thrilled and quickly accepted.
The Techo Security Conference was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,
in June. My lecture, “Win or Lose – You Choose: Inside Secrets to
Presenting the Best You” was well attended and rumored to be one of the
highlights of the conference. While at the conference, I was asked to
video tape a segment to be used on their website.
To my big surprise, Jack asked me to be a co-author for his upcoming
book, “Techno Security Guide to E-Discovery and Digital Forensics.” My
chapter is titled, “Credibility is Believability – Secrets to Success in
the Courtroom.” The book is published by Syngress Publishing and is
scheduled to be released in late October. It will be available online and
in bookstores. For more information, go to www.Techno2007.com
What an amazing year! Life is always full of surprises. I could not have
written a better script myself. I have learned to be flexible and keep my
options open. Who knows where it will take me next. To be continued…
Stevee Ashlock resides in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She has been in the
entertainment business for over twenty-five years and is the owner of
Stoneybrook Productions, an entertainment production and multi-media
marketing company. http://www.stoneybrookproductions.net
Ms. Ashlock is dedicated to her international charity involvement,
focusing on women and children issues.
You may contact Ms. Ashlock at stoneybrookprods@prodigy.net