Esther George, LLB (Hons), LLM, MA , Solicitor, Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Consultant, UK
Esther George, LLB (Hons), LLM, MA , Solicitor, Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Consultant, UK
Esther is an independent cybercrime and digital evidence consultant, trainer, conference speaker and author with international projects in her portfolio. Esther offers her expertise to international organisations especially in countries that are developing their cybercrime and electronic evidence policies and strategies. She has recently worked with the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Esther is an honorary researcher with the University of Lancaster and is the lead cybercrime consultant for the Global Prosecutors E-Crime Network (GPEN) which is part of the International Association of Prosecutors.
Esther actually initiated and designed GPEN in 2008 to enable cybercrime prosecutors around the world to learn and benefit from sharing information, experiences, and strategies with each other.
In 2010 Esther was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the International Association of Prosecutors for being the Architect of GPEN.
International Projects
2015 / Mauritius
Delivered a two-day Council of Europe training course on cybercrime and electronic evidence to Supreme Court Judges.
Co trainer on the Council of Europe Advanced Judicial Training Course for Magistrates, Prosecutors, Advocates, Defence Lawyers and Police Officers.
2015 / Bahrain
Organised and was lead trainer on the first GPEN regional training course for prosecutors of the Gulf States on the basics of cybercrime and electronic evidence held in in Bahrain.
2015 work in progress / Spain
Co-designing a special training program that aims at equipping Law Enforcement Authorities (LEA) and Prosecutors with the right skills and knowledge to understand in depth the investigative and prosecutorial phases of cases involving cybercrime and electronic evidence.
The project also includes the development of a framework for the Certification of European Cybercrime Investigators (ECCI) and European Cybercrime Prosecutors (ECCP), setting the basis for the creation of a pool of capable professionals dedicated to solving the transnational problems of cybercrime.
The Project is managed by the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid through the Spanish Centre of Excellence on Cybersecurity (CNEC) and the Institute of Forensic and Security Sciences (ICFS) and is cofounded by the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme of the European Union.
2014-2015 / Philippines
Delivered three Train the Trainer courses to train Judges, advocates and public defenders on the basics of cybercrime and electronic evidence and subsequently
Conducted assessments on the skills learnt by the Judges. The course was very successful and the authorities in the Philippines are committed to holding a number of basic cybercrime and electronic evidence workshops throughout the year.
2014 / Sri Lanka
Assessed as part of an assessment group, the authorities’ cybercrime capacity and situation on behalf of the Council of Europe.
2013-2014 / Turkey
Provided advice on the cybercrime training of prosecutors and Judges on behalf of the Council of Europe and the European Union
Collaborated with Turkish representatives to design and develop cybercrime training modules
Delivered for Judges and prosecutors a special Train the Trainer course to offer participants the skills to train their colleagues.
Career
From 2008 to April 2014 Esther occupied the position of Senior Policy Adviser and Senior Crown Prosecutor based at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) HQ Policy Directorate, in London, focusing on cybercrime, electronic evidence, intellectual property theft and data protection.
As part of her role, Esther advised prosecutors at all levels within HQ and Area CPS offices, police and other Government bodies and as acted as a consultant to other prosecutors in cybercrime, investigating legal gaps in respect of cybercrime, suggesting and advising on legislative amendments.
Keen on designing training programs, Esther assisted with the new CPS cybercrime strategy and was instrumental in the development of an extensive range of online cybercrime training programs for CPS prosecutors.
From January 2002 to 2012 Esther was a Senior Prosecutor and the Project Manager for the CPS High-Tec Crime Project.
Designed and developed many training courses like the CPS national high-tec crime training course for prosecutors (as a result the CPS has currently more than 200 cybercrime specialists) and the advanced prosecutor’s course. Esther delivered courses for caseworkers as well as held cybercrime awareness sessions conferences and seminars both for CPS staff and CPS cybercrime specialists.
Designed and co-delivered GPEN’s first e-crime training seminar in Bermuda in 2009 involving 16 Caribbean countries.
Achievements:
Initiated and designed the Global Prosecutor’s E Crime Network (GPEN)
Initiated and piloted the CPS Pro Bono and Volunteers Network (CPVN)
Awards
2014 – The Legal Excellence Award. National Black Crown Prosecution Association (NBCPA) for Cybercrime Work
2012 – Chairs Award, NBCPA for Cybercrime Work
2010 – Certificate of Merit, International Association of Prosecutors for being the Architect of GPEN
Publications
Co-author of the Council of Europe Electronic Evidence Guide 2013
http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/cooperation/economiccrime/cybercrime/Documents/Electronic%20Evidence%20Guide/default_en.asp
Paper on Digital Evidence and ‘Cloud’ Computing by Stephen Mason and Esther George. Computer Law & Security Review, Volume 27, Issue 5, September 2011, Pages 524–528
Participation at conferences and training sessions
Esther regularly speaks on cybercrime issues at conferences and training sessions at national and international level. Esther has spoken at conferences and training sessions in Bahrain, Bermuda, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Japan, Malta, Malaysia, Mauritius, Northern Ireland, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, UAE and UK amongst others.