Digital Evidence Discovery and Digital Evidence Investigation Certificates

Two certificates offer forensic training for students, providing the skills to locate, recover, and analyze digital evidence. These skills include but are not limited to:

• Understanding how to identify and safely recover digital evidence from computers, cell phones and other end-user devices;
• Conducting an analysis of data to determine evidentiary value;
• Understanding the rules of evidence and applicable law necessary in the collection, preservation and presentation of digital evidence; and
• Understanding the difference between computer crime and computer-related crime in today’s society.

The proliferation and use of technology has changed the nature of crime and the methods of high-tech criminals. For example, fraud may no longer involve forging checks, but instead debit or credit card fraud. Organized scams over the internet are prevalent. Each of these areas requires a new skill set for practitioners in the field. It is common for those involved in criminal activity to have used social media, email, their smartphone or a combination of these while engaged in criminal activity. In addition, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, such as smart home appliances, Fitbits and the Echo capture vast amounts of digital evidence that can be used to prosecute or exonerate a suspect.

The certificates are geared towards the practice of digital forensics. The Digital Evidence Discovery Certificate contains curriculum that includes digital evidence recovery, preservation and collection of vital information from personal computers and networks. The field investigator or probation officer, for example, needs the basic know-how to collect digital evidence and follow approved procedures. The same is true for corporate IT professionals. The Digital Evidence Investigation Certificate provides investigators with a foundation for investigating digital data itself, in the lab. Students interested in the Digital Evidence Investigation Certificate must first complete the Digital Evidence Discovery Certificate. Only one transfer course can be accepted for each certificate (total of two). The two certificates are designed to provide courses that most directly apply to the digital data field and lab investigators. Three of the ten courses in the certificates are required in the Bachelor of Science in Computer & Network Security (CNS).  CNS majors can earn both certificates by using seven of the twelve electives* available in the program for the remaining courses.  Note that CNS majors completing both Digital Forensics Certificates are eligible to declare a Digital Forensics Concentration.

*The CNS program includes 5 Free Electives, 1 College of Technology Elective and 6 Security Electives.