Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation Fundamentals

The digital transformation of society is affecting crime, criminals and criminal investigation. New cyber criminal methods using advanced technical tools and exploitation are an opportunity for criminals and a challenge for investigators. Technically complex illegal activities are being sold as services to less skilled criminals, increasing the challenge of fighting cybercrime. On the other hand, criminals face challenges trying to hide and avoid attribution. The large amount of digital traces stored across multiple locations creates an opportunity for criminal investigators.
Crime scenes are also changing. With the growth of cybercrime, crime scenes are becoming virtual, global, and multi-jurisdictional. Investigating a trans-national cyber crime scene requires investigative tools to remotely gather information, and also collaboration between entities in both the public and private sectors.
Modern physical crime scenes have a comprehensive set of digital evidence sources. In addition to PCs and notebooks, digital evidence traces can be found in mobiles, IoT devices, automobiles, smart control systems, data stored with cloud providers, and distributed on servers across the Internet. With the increase in digital and online payment systems, financial transactions are also becoming an important digital evidence source, especially in financially motivated crimes.

This continuing education program practical learning objectives. Students completing the CAS Digital Forensics Fundamentals will understand the fundamental concepts of modern digital forensics. They will have the skills to collect and analyze digital evidence from a variety of sources and have the ability to conduct basic cyber investigations.

This will prepare students for career opportunities in a variety of organizations:

• Law enforcement - Federal agencies, KAPOs
• Military and government - CERTs, cyber-troops
• Finance industry - fraud/cybercrime investigation teams
• Insurance industry - cyber insurance claims investigation
• Large enterprises - security and incident response teams
• Consultancy and audit - e-Discovery, accounting, «Big Four»
• IT security service providers and product vendors
• Private boutique digital forensic and investigation firms