We can gather evidence from SMS and WhatsApp text messages, emails, smart devices like Google Home, and even GPS co-ordinates can help us to ascertain if the subject was where he claimed he was.
“We can gather evidence from SMS and WhatsApp text messages, emails, smart devices like Google Home, and even GPS co-ordinates can help us to ascertain if the subject was where he claimed he was,” said James.
His proudest moments are when he is able to find alternative ways to extract information from password-protected devices, when even standard commercial devices fail.
Today, as part of the research team at HTX, James works on cases which are more complex, where data extraction is a challenge.
One of the perks of the job, reveals James, is that he keeps getting to “play” and tinker with the latest devices that are toys for the inquisitive mind.
“We also do horizon scanning to see what’s new and get familiar with it, so if we encounter it later, we already know what to do,” he said. “We anticipate and become pro-active, instead of just reacting to a case when it comes up.”
Once a teacher, James still finds fulfillment in sharing his knowledge and expertise with others in the field. Some of his current colleagues at MHA were his former students, and that built an environment close to home.
In July 2019, James, who specialises in Android mobile security, made a presentation at an IT security conference held at the Marina Bay Sands titled “Battling Snapdragon and Kirin Data Extraction from Chinese Android Phones”, where he spoke to IT security professionals on how to better protect their phones. China-made phones like Xiaomi and Huawei have become increasingly popular amongst the mobile-literate in Singapore.
“We don’t just want to rely on external vendors whenever we encounter a problem. We want to develop our own capabilities, as the issues we encounter may not be a top priority for them,” he said, highlighting the importance of an in-house capability system.
“When it comes to their digital devices, people are getting smarter and smarter. What we do at HTX helps us to stay ahead of the curve.”
For James, it is all about staying on top of the game and as Team Lead in Digital Forensics, he keeps true to his goals.