This is the web page for John C. Smith Group, California Private Investigators License # 20492 , High Technology Investigations & Security Consulting. I specialize in investigations of the theft of intellectual property and in working with companies to protect their electronic data and physical assets.

Because of my years of experience and specifically those working in Silicon Valley, I am uniquely qualified to handle hi tech investigations and jobs developing security policies & procedures to protect a company's valuable assets. I am headquartered in Northern California but available for jobs anywhere. I can be reached via email john@jcsmithinv.com , or cell phone 916-768-7533. If you suspect you have a problem involving an insider, I suggest you phone rather than email.

During my career as a law enforcement officer and corporate security manager/investigator, I have investigated many types of crimes from murder to fraud and personnel issues to computer code theft. My last law enforcement position was as the Senior Criminal Investigator, on the Santa Clara County (Silicon Valley) District Attorney's Computer Crime / High Tech Theft Team where I specialized in the investigation & recovery of intellectual property, investigation of network crimes, and recovering evidence from all types of computer systems. I was on the hi tech team from 1989 to 1998 during the boom time in Silicon Valley so I had to opportunity to work with most of the major companies in Silicon Valley.

After leaving law enforcement I served in the following positions in Silicon Valley:

Corporate Security Manager, Netscape Corporation

Senior Investigator at 3Com Corp (mgmt level position)

Corporate Security Manager at myCFO, Inc.

Coordinator & Instructor, Corporate Security Manager Program, University of California Santa Cruz Extension

I now provided investigation and security services on a consulting basis. My resume is available by clicking the link below the photograph. It has been my experience that in most technology theft cases, more technology has been taken than was originally thought stolen and that the best way to recover your property and learn the extent of your loss and damage is to conduct the proper type of investigation and try to recover your property from the person who took it. This must be done quickly and quietly. Read my paper "REPORTING & PLANNING GUIDELINES - INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE & NETWORK INTRUSIONS" to learn these techniques. The 12 page paper is available by pressing the bullet at Planning&Reporting below. There are processes and procedures that you can take in your company to reduce the possibility of having your data stolen or destroyed and I can assist you with putting those procedures in place.